TagEconomic Development Partnership Program(33)

The Port of Seattle is requesting $900,000 to continue its Economic Development Partnership (EDP) program, which provides grants of $5,000–$60,000 to King County cities for local economic development projects such as small business assistance, tourism promotion, and workforce development. In the 2022–2023 cycle, 27 cities participated and collectively leveraged over $1.6 million in matching resources, supporting nearly 700 businesses and generating millions of marketing impressions. For 2024, the program is shifting to one-year contracts to better align with cities' biennial budget timelines.

The Port of Seattle drives the regional economy through its airport, maritime trade, and other operations, generating $22.5 billion in economic activity at SEA Airport, $16.3 billion through Maritime International Trade, and supporting over 121,200 area jobs. The presentation emphasizes that economic development requires collaboration across a broad ecosystem of partners, including ports, government agencies, financial institutions, educational institutions, and community organizations. It outlines how the Port builds and operates facilities while supporting business lines such as aviation, cruise, cargo, fishing, and real estate.

The City of Des Moines received Port Economic Development Partnership Grants that were used to support the redevelopment planning of the Des Moines Marina, covering design feasibility, financial feasibility, and the issuance of a Request for Qualifications. The city matched the grant funding by at least 100%, and the grants also helped fund the EATS program, which delivered meals to seniors and veterans while supporting local restaurants. City officials expressed gratitude for the support, noting it could help catalyze future investment opportunities in the city and marina.

The Port of Seattle presented an overview of its Economic Development Partnership Grant Program, created in 2016, which provides King County cities per capita funding (capped at $60,000, with a $5,000 minimum for smaller cities) to support local economic development projects tied to the Port's Century Agenda and business interests. Cities are required to provide a 50% local match, either monetary or in-kind, to qualify for the grants. The forum also covered the Business Navigator Initiative and Tourism Recovery efforts aimed at supporting regional businesses and communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The Port of Seattle is requesting authorization for its 2022/2023 Economic Development Partnership Program, which distributes grant funding to cities in King County to support local economic development projects. Funding is allocated at $1 per capita, capped at $60,000 for large cities and with a minimum of $5,000 for the smallest cities, with cities required to provide a 50% project match. The total program budget requested is not to exceed $1,860,000, with additional flexibility to direct unused funds toward equitable and small business recovery initiatives.

The Port of Seattle's 2021 Economic Development Partnership Program authorization request outlines the Port's collaborative investments with cities across King County to support local economic development. In 2020, the program funded 65 projects totaling $1.4 million in combined investment, focusing primarily on small business assistance, buy-local campaigns, tourism, and business attraction. Funds were distributed across North, South, and East King County, with South King County receiving the largest Port share at $0.4 million in 2020.

The Port of Seattle is requesting $965,000 to fund its 2020 Economic Development Partnership Program, which provides grants to King County cities (excluding Seattle) to support local economic development projects such as business recruitment, tourism, and planning studies. Now in its fourth year, the program provides cities $1 per capita in funding and requires a 50% match from participating cities. In 2019, 23 of 38 eligible King County cities participated, with approximately $778,000 awarded for projects ranging from business assistance to regional marketing collaborations.

Port of Seattle evaluation document for the Economic Development Partnership Program, focusing on primary retail trade areas in Renton, Washington and City of Des Moines. Prepared by Community Attributes Inc. with analysis of economic development initiatives.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered authorizing up to $960,000 for its 2019 Economic Development Partnership Program, which provides grant funding to King County cities based on a $1-per-capita formula (minimum $5,000, maximum $65,000) to support local economic development projects. Eligible activities include small business development, business recruitment, workforce development, tourism, and downtown revitalization, with cities required to provide a 50% funding match. The program, funded through the Port's property tax levy, has been running since 2016 and previously awarded about $950,000 to 30 King County cities during the 2017–2018 cycle.

This December 2018 discussion draft, produced by Community Attributes Inc. for the Port of Seattle, evaluates the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) Program, which supports economic development initiatives in communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including the cities of Des Moines, Renton, and Sammamish. The report examines retail trade areas and local development opportunities as part of the Port's broader effort to partner with neighboring jurisdictions on economic growth strategies. It represents an early-stage working document intended to guide further discussion and decision-making.