TagPort Of Seattle(2349)

In November 2018, the Port of Seattle presented its Draft Federal Legislative Agenda for 2019, highlighting key accomplishments and priorities across aviation, maritime, and port-wide issues. Among the 2018 aviation successes was the passage of legislation ensuring that Highline Schools remained eligible for noise insulation grant funding, a notable win for communities affected by Sea-Tac Airport noise. The agenda outlined next steps for Commission adoption in January 2019, incorporating feedback on ongoing federal priorities.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered adoption of Resolution No. 3751 at its November 27, 2018 meeting, formally approving the Port's final operating and capital budget for the year 2019. The resolution authorized the tax levy on assessed property within the Port of Seattle District and directed King County to collect the specified sums. The budget process, which began in April 2018, included multiple public briefings, a public hearing, and required submission of the final statutory budget to the King County Council and Assessor's Office by December 3, 2018.

The Port of Seattle awarded over $950,000 to 30 King County cities through its Economic Development Partnership (EDP) program during the 2017-2018 funding cycle, supporting projects in areas such as small business development, tourism, and workforce training. An independent assessment by Community Attributes Inc. evaluated the program's effectiveness and offered recommendations including creating a competitive grant pool for larger projects, streamlining reporting requirements, and allowing longer-term funding arrangements to better support multi-year city initiatives.

The Port of Seattle Commission is requesting authorization for its 2019 Tourism Marketing Support Program, a grant initiative now in its fourth year that distributes up to $200,000 in King County tax levy funds to local destination marketing organizations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits to promote tourism across Washington State. Grants of up to $10,000 each require a two-to-one match from recipients and must be used for advertising, public relations, digital marketing, trade shows, or familiarization tours aimed at attracting out-of-state visitors. Over its first three years, the program funded 57 projects and generated approximately $700,000 in additional tourism marketing statewide.

This November 2018 Port of Seattle Commission memo outlines a draft state legislative agenda for 2019, covering priorities such as clean fuels standards, workforce development, and transportation access to Sea-Tac Airport. While not exclusively focused on airport noise policy, it addresses funding for transportation infrastructure upgrades around Sea-Tac, including State Route 518 improvements and the Puget Sound Gateway Program, aimed at managing growing traffic demands from airport expansion. The document also touches on land use, small business inclusion, and maritime innovation as broader port-related legislative goals.

In November 2018, the Port of Seattle presented its Draft 2019 State Legislative Agenda to the Port Commission, outlining key priorities including workforce development in maritime and industrial sectors, transportation access improvements to Sea-Tac Airport via State Route 518 and the Puget Sound Gateway program, and support for a Clean Fuels Standard to reduce emissions from port operations. The agenda was developed through consultation with internal subject matter experts and individual commissioners, with a focus on reducing emissions, growing jobs, and increasing opportunities. Final adoption of the agenda was scheduled for the Commission's November 27, 2018 meeting.