TagEconomic Development Division(44)

The South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) is a $14 million Port of Seattle investment running from 2025 to 2029, aimed at improving quality of life for historically underserved communities in South King County. The fund is divided across three programs: Economic Opportunities for Communities (70%), Environmental Improvements (20%), and Diversity in Contracting (10%). Its mission is to remove systemic barriers by expanding access to living-wage jobs in Port-related industries, enhancing public spaces, and supporting community-led projects.

This August 2023 report, prepared by ECONorthwest for the City of Des Moines, Washington, provides a market analysis and prototype feasibility study for a proposed business park within the city. The study examines economic and development conditions relevant to establishing a business park, likely in the context of land use planning near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It was commissioned by the City's Planning Manager and produced by a consulting team specializing in economics, finance, and planning.

The South King County Community Fund, created in 2018, provides $10 million to communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to address airport noise, environmental health, and economic development. In 2020, $1.5 million was allocated across three programs: economic recovery and workforce development grants, an environmental grants program, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. Projects are evaluated on criteria including community ties, target populations, equity impact, and benefits to Port-related industries such as aviation and construction.

The City of Burien's Economic Development program supports local businesses through microenterprise programs, small business grants, maker spaces, and a Digital Main Street Program. The city also promotes visitor attraction and community engagement via social media channels, a business e-newsletter, citywide business surveys, and tourism videos. Several initiatives are funded in part by the Port of Seattle.

The City of Burien invested a combined $444,739 in workforce development programs for residents during 2021-2022, spanning Human Services ($114,739) and Economic Development ($330,000) initiatives. Programs included pre-apprenticeship construction training, youth mural and café leadership apprenticeships, immigrant and refugee employment support, digital marketing education, and small business coaching. The majority of the 110-plus residents served were BIPOC individuals from low- and moderate-income households.

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is a metropolitan planning organization founded in 1956 that oversees transportation planning, economic development, and growth management across King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties in the greater Seattle area. It serves as a collaborative forum for cities, counties, transit agencies, port districts, and tribal governments to address regional infrastructure and land-use issues. The PSRC maintains a regional Transportation Improvement Program and develops long-range strategies, such as VISION 2040, to guide the area's growth as its population approaches 5 million.

The Highline Forum held its May 25, 2022 meeting, hosted by the City of Federal Way, with a focus on Economic Development and Tourism. The hybrid meeting, held at Federal Way City Hall and via Microsoft Teams, featured updates from the Port of Seattle on economic development and a StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) briefing by Aviation Managing Director Lance Lyttle. The document also lists all six Highline Forum meeting dates for 2022, with hosts ranging from local cities to Highline College and the Highline School District.