HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2023-06-22 Item 7B - Economic Development: Engagement Themes
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Derek Speck, Economic Development Administrator
DATE: June 8, 2023
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Plan Economic Element – Themes from Engagement
ISSUE
This is an update on what we have heard to date through our community engagement as we create
the City’s Economic Development Strategy. We will also use this information to inform updates to the
Economic Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND
In 2022 the City began community engagement to gather input for the Economic Development
Strategy through a variety of methods including a website, surveys, listening sessions, and contracts
with community organizations.
DISCUSSION
Following are summaries of results from most of the engagement methods:
1) Online Survey – The city hosted an online survey. Draft results are attached.
2) Paper Survey – The city collected paper surveys at the Tukwila Village farmer’s market. Draft
results are attached.
3) Online Interactive Map - Identified sites for public infrastructure (crosswalks, bus shelters, curb
and sidewalks, traffic signals), community garden, park, lounge style coffee shop, use river as an
amenity.
4) Listening Sessions – City staff held listening sessions at the City’s boards and commissions. The
staff notes are attached.
5) Listening Sessions – City staff held listening sessions with the help of community organizations.
The staff notes are attached.
6) Contracted Engagement
a) African Community Housing and Development – The City purchased a report on needs of
small African businesses and workforce needs of SeaTac/Tukwila area. The report is
attached.
b) Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce – The City contracted with the Seattle Southside
Chamber of Commerce to conduct door to door visits to businesses in Southcenter District and
along Tukwila International Boulevard to promote the online survey and collect information. A
summary of business comments is attached.
c) Growing Contigo – The City contracted with Growing Contigo to promote the survey to
Spanish speaking businesses via social media, phone calls, and in person visits. The report is
attached.
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d) Riverton Park United Methodist Church – The City contracted with the Church to survey
members of Tukwila’s homeless population and encourage them to submit online surveys.
e) Talitha Consults – The City contracted with Talitha to collect surveys at two apartment
buildings housing lower income families. The primary languages were Dari, English, Somali,
and Spanish. Summary report is attached.
The city may also conduct some phone interviews and focus groups and will seek additional feedback
from the Economic Development Strategy’s Advisory Committee. Public input will also continue
through the City Council approval process.
Staff will be available to speak to the key themes and issues from the engagement results to date.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDATION
Discussion only.
ATTACHMENTS
Online Survey Results – Draft
Paper Survey Results – Draft
Listening Session Notes – City Boards and Commissions
a. Arts Commission
b. Community Oriented Policing Advisory Committee
c. Equity and Social Justice Committee
d. Human Services Advisory Committee
e. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
f. Parks Commission
g. Planning Commission
h. Tukwila Library Advisory Board
Listening Session Notes – Community Organizations
a. Foster High School Black Student Union
b. SeaTac-Tukwila Community Coalition – Community Leaders
c. SeaTac-Tukwila Community Coalition – Members
d. SeaTac-Tukwila Rotary Club
Report on Small Business Support and Workforce Development Programs (ACHD)
Business Comments (Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce)
Tukwila Spanish-Speaking Business Survey Outreach Report (Growing Contigo)
Unhoused Residents Survey (Riverton Park United Methodist Church)
Renters and Special Needs Students (Talitha Consults)
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Online Survey Results – DRAFT
The City’s online survey for the Economic Development Strategy included ten questions on opinions
and additional questions on demographics. At that time there were 53 respondents. The survey was
available in ten languages. Respondents wrote their answers and the City’s consultant summarized
the comments into the following categories. Following are the survey results for the ten opinion
questions as of December 2022.
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Paper Survey Results – DRAFT
The City’s paper survey for the Economic Development Strategy asked “what would you like to see
more of in Tukwila?” and provided space for people to put stickers and comments into their top two
categories. Economic Development staff conducted the survey at the Tukwila Village farmers market
on October 5, 2022 and October 12, 2022. The survey was available in five languages. We received
24 responses. Respondents wrote their answers and the City staff summarized the comments into the
following categories. Following are the survey results:
Survey Results
Tukwila Village Farmers Market
Number of Surveys by Language
English Spanish Somali Vietnamese Other Total
10/5/2022 23 1 0 0 0 24
10/12/2022 22 1 0 0 1 24
Stickers
Categories 10/5/2022 10/12/2022 Total
Businesses 9 7 16
Jobs 10 6 16
Education & Training 13 14 27
Housing 12 9 21
Other 7 11 18
Notes:
(1) The survey sheet had the above 5 categories for "what would you like to see more of in Tukwila?"
(2) We gave each person two stickers and asked them to place them on their two highest priorities.
(3) We asked them to write their suggestions and comments in any categories.
(4) If they marked or commented in a category, it would be counted it as a sticker.
(5) We gave free water, candy, kids toys, emergency supplies
(6) The market offered free dinner and music on 10/12/22.
(7) A number of youth submitted surveys to get the free items.
Comments
(1) More restaurants
(2)
More
colleges
(3) Sustainable gardening & food storage
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(4) Better cooperation between Section 8, DSHS, and various management
(5) Any jobs which can help people
(6) Education & Training - good; no discrimination
(7) No more housing!!!
(8) Jobs - Engineering like Amazon
(9) Education & Training - job skills and training
(10) We have many low income people in community if there is more job opportunities so these
people will be more independent
(11) People be more educated
(12) Businesses that want to help clean up Tukwila
(13) Jobs to help clean up Tukwila together it works
(14) Education & Training - to better know what's going on and how we can help every with cleaning
(15) There is too much homelessness and we are suffering because of all the stealing
(16) I want to see more BIPOC businesses
(17) I want to see less homeless people in the street
(18) Teen center
(19) Jobs for kids
(20) Volunteer opportunities for kids and teenagers
(21) Offer training courses for becoming an entrepreneur with access for low rates loans to start up
(22) Develop more sizable malls
(23) More apartments
(24) Businesses - More community/diverse/market/food. Local lead and small business
(25) Community lead education about land we are on and about our community members
(26) Businesses - Food
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(27) Housing - For seniors
(28) Kids to do
(29) More training on internet
(30) Senior center training on internet
(31) Stop crime esp drug abuse
(32) Apprenticeships program (abroad diploma to US credentials)
(33) Law + order
(34) Jobs - For different ages especially for the senior
(35) Develop more housing with more amenities
(36) After school wellness & health programs
(37) Housing - affordability please
(38) Housing - affordability
(39) Jobs - technology, grocery
(40) Education & Training - environment of students
(41) For businesses they should do more food businesses or smoothie shops
(42) Jobs - programs or coaching
(43) Workforce housing
(44) Communal farming & living
(45) Education & training - computer
(46) Community outreach kids, elders
(47) Jobs - More take your kids to work day
(48) Libraries
(49) More mix of residential and ?. Missing middle concerns.
(50) More college classes and ESL like Highline college.
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(51) More affordable housing (Samara rents have increased. Now a 2 bedroom is $1,500)
(52) Safety and security
(53) On the job training.
(54) Financial education.
(55) On the job training instead of written test certifications. E.g. for home care worker.
(56) Safety
(57) RV parking restrictions
(58) Walkability
(59) More parks
(60)
More
schools
(61) Kids community to play and share their culture
(62) Green jobs - We have water ways in the city.
(63) I've imagined a skill development center in the area like Airport University.
(64) Rent prices are very high.
(65) Gas prices high but wages aren't rising.
(66) Security. I'm a SHAG resident and we are very concerned.
(67)
More
schools
(68) More restaurants
(69) Ice cream truck
(70) After school education
(71) More houses
(72) More jobs in construction
(73) Housing for low income seniors
(74) Schools to teach self defense
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(75) I think we need more active businesses in Tukwila like malls & building company
(76) With educatoin and training we can find good jobs that we want
(77) Try making the area safer
(78) Doctors offices
(79) Educational programs for children
(80) Exercise classes
(81) Cooking classes
(82) Small business
(83) Take care of adults (likely seniors) (swahili)
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Arts Commission Listening Session 11/30/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Dinner theater
2. Artist lofts and creative space
3. Black box theater
4. Pub with live music
5. Food truck court, particularly on TIB
6. Crime is a concern
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Community Oriented Policing Advisory Board (COPCAB) Listening Session 10/13/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Things that make it family friendly, activities
2. Social service agencies (more services to be provided locally)
3. Boys and girls club or something similar near 144th and TIB
4. Recreation resources for youth in the apartments
5. Tutoring center for academic support for kids
6. More mom & pop restaurants
7. Open access soccer fields for kids
8. Open access basketball courts for kids
9. Whole Foods grocery store
10. SeaTac and Tukwila managed animal control
11. Need to reduce crime
12. Businesses that generate net tax revenues
13. Auto dealerships for sale tax revenue
14. Add another casino
15. Sports betting?
16. No more pawn shops
17. Good pizza restaurant
18. Blaze pizza (Labraun James)
19. Brew pubs
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Equity and Social Justice Commission Listening Session 8/4/22
We would like a community engagement process that welcomes Tukwila’s diverse community. This
includes residents, businesses, and property owners. Some possibilities are:
1. Website and online survey (optimized for mobile users)
2. City Hosted Opportunities
a. City Boards and Commissions
b. City groups (e.g., Teens for Tukwila)
c. City Facilities (Tukwila Community Center, Permit Counter, Spraypark, etc.)
d. Parks and Recreation events (e.g., “See You in the Park”)
e. Direct door-to-door business visits
f. National Night Out
3. Community Meetings and Events
4. Community Gathering Places
a. Food Trucks (e.g. at Southgate Mobile Home Park)
b. Saar’s Supersaver grocery store
c. Spice Bridge
d. Tukwila Library
e. Tukwila Village Farmers Market
5. Community Organizations
a. Access to Our Community
b. African Community Housing and Development
c. Chamber of Commerce
d. East African Community Services
e. Para Los Ninos
f. Partners in Employment
g. Refugee Women’s Alliance (REWA)
h. Small Business Development Center at Highline College
i. Talitha Consults
j. Tukwila Metropolitan Park District Board
k. Tukwila School District (e.g., Foster High School classes)
We would appreciate the Committee’s suggestions on these or other potential engagement
opportunities.
We would appreciate the Committee’s input on the Economic Development Strategy:
1. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
2. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
3. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy and businesses?
4. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy and businesses?
5. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
6. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
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7. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
8. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s working residents?
Comments from Commission:
1. Let us know how we can help
2. Who are we serving?
3. Translation
4. QR codes make it easier
5. Engage through multiple ways such as:
a. Sean Goode (Chose 180)
b. Tukwila School Board
c. Villa Communitaria
d. Rotary
e. Faith organizations
f. Foster Presbyterian Church has Ethiopean and Bhutanese congregations
g. St Thomas has spanish speaking congregation
h. Abu Bakr mosque, synagogue and temple
i. Vietnamese student association
j. Black student union
k. Connect with residents at apartment buildings
l. Could connect with parents at school pick-up and drop off sites
m. Foster High social studies teachers could assist
6. We need more training centers/job centers
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Human Services Advisory Board Listening Session 10/25/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Streamlined, efficient permitting process to attract development
2. Affordable housing in Tukwila School District so students don’t have to move out.
3. Shelter for teens and/or families, domestic violence victims
4. Services for mental health, behavioral health, incarceration transition, domestic violence, case
management
5. Teen health center in high school or at HealthPoint future wellness center on TIB
6. Mental health services in elementary schools
7. Translation services for immigrants and refugees
8. Higher wages for service providers like case workers
9. Workforce development office like WorkSource, PIE, etc. to connect people to livable wages
and apprenticeships.
10. Technical and community college extension
11. Facility for classes like night school, e.g. college courses
12. Safe and affordable spaces for small businesses
13. Grocery store like Safeway or Albertsons near Allentown or East Marginal Way at Boeing
Access Road
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Listening Session 8/12/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
9. What are the needs of people working in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Strengths: retail and the mall; great location for business travelers
2. Need more attractions; City could issue RFP to bring an attraction
3. An example is Everett has Angel of the Winds
4. Another example Snohomish has sports complex
5. Need to build on public safety
6. Need more interesting food options
7. Could convert a big box into a large food hall (Samuel Adams hall in Boston)
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Parks Commission Listening Session 12/14/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
9. What are the needs of people working in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Could portion of Starfire be used for large outdoor park since noise won’t affect neighbors.
2. We need more grocery stores, like neighborhood markets, many people shop at Fred Meyer in
Burien
3. More interconnectedness between parks and trails in the city. For example, Bend, OR has an
Ales and Trails and promotes it.
4. Nice to see the new construction on Interurban such as Greenwood Heating. Nice to see
those types of jobs that offer fair wages, brings good services for residents, and improves the
appearance of the area.
5. Would like to see fewer casinos
6. We could build on having Tabor 100 since they’re in Tukwila to attract businesses to locate
and grow here.
7. Would like to have more independent, small businesses.
8. “I don’t want to come across as a Luddite NIMBY or anything like that. My educational
background is in Economics, and I want Tukwila to be a good, prosperous, diverse place to
live for all kinds of people and their life goals. My CONCERN is that “more is not always
better”. I don’t want construction and development and ever-increasing chase of more and
more population, more and more economic activity FOR ITS OWN SAKE. Sure, “growth” is
generally good…but growth also means everything is more costly. I want restrained,
controlled, focused growth. Not just one of everything; I don’t see how that makes the lives of
our residents better.”
9. We need to have an area of town that would function like a downtown and feel of a village
where people can park once and walk to multiple activities. Southcenter doesn’t feel
pedestrian friendly. Could be multiple areas.
10. Want to keep the feel of a small town and personal connections as Tukwila grows.
11. Would like to have a driving range in the City.
12. Need to be able to adjust as the former Boeing Longacres area in Renton develops with all the
proposed housing and office.
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Planning Commission Listening Session 7/28/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
a. Larger businesses, such as Prologist and Amazon bring a lot of people to Tukwila;
diverse shops; several restaurants with a diversity of great food; parks and recreational
areas; a wealth of present individuals whether they' re from Tukwila or not; a captive
audience close to the Tukwila businesses; and a lot of opportunities along International
Blvd.
b. The number of different types of businesses; you can probably find what you are
looking for in Tukwila; it' s an entertainment center; lots to do.
c. The opportunity to draw in more large businesses with 250 or more employees; with
the shift in hybrid work, if Tukwila is going to draw in large businesses it should be a
campus environment where employers and employees can drive in to work and have
walkability to trails and nearby businesses where they might enjoy going during their
lunch; small businesses to service larger businesses is key. Noted: Tukwila does a
good job now, but campus environments need to be closer to the businesses.
d. Tukwila is in a really good location, near 1- 5, 1- 405, airport, and the major city of
Seattle.
2. What are the weaknesses of the Tukwila economy?
a. Styles of development (one story businesses, lack of mixed use).
b. It is lacking points of interest, such as something like Green Lake; walkability.
c. Not enough public relations on the livability for families in Tukwila; a need to spruce up
the community and improve the parks and make them more family friendly; and make
the world more aware of the community.
3. Are there things changing in the world that might be challenges for Tukwila in the future, are
there things for Tukwila to start adapting to?
a. Find common ground between low income and high income such as safety,
affordability, and access.
4. Are there things happening in the regional economy that Tukwila might want to be part of in
the future?
a. Influx of electric vehicles, especially for transportation logistics at ProLogis.
5. What are some ideas to improve Tukwila' s economy and support the businesses?
a. Offering more experiences through events and activities is important.
b. Improve Tukwila' s negative reputation regarding the permitting process.
6. Is there a need to improve the work lives of Tukwila residents in the workforce?
a. Service businesses, such as grocery stores, dry cleaners, florists, and family
restaurants. Gathering places/ businesses in the Southcenter area.
b. Survey residents on where they go in their off hours to figure out what services and
activities people are going to outside their community and provide those services
locally to strengthen the community.
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c. A neighborhood feel within walking distance in the community, good paying jobs, and
affordable housing.
7. What type of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
a. Grocery stores, coffee shops; mixed use hotels or condos; businesses close to the
greenbelt.
8. What type of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
a. Casinos.
9. Other comments
a. Need to improve impression of Tukwila to outside world
b. Marketing the livability to attract familys
c. Promote and improve parks
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Tukwila Library Advisory Board Listening Session 10/4/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Bring healthcare into southcenter district, around mall
2. The hub just south of the commons mall at federal way and highline college and federal way.
Post secondary education. Adult education opportunities. Certificates, 2 year degrees,
3. Loves spice bridge, more, more co-working (like wework) for telecommunters, artist lofts and
housing, community theater, art galleries
4. Grocery stores
5. Keep up redevelopment on TIB
6. Breakfast spot
7. Brew pubs
8. Food truck rallies
9. Georgetown trailer park businesses
10. More events like the Ru Paul Drag Race show that was at Westfield mall
11. Series of concerts like small stages like at University Village
12. Grandparents with grandkids
13. Family friendly
14. More events like Juneteenth
15. More events like Bark in the Park
16. Free or economical events
17. Conference rooms for rent (e.g. for lawyers taking depositions)
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Black Student Union at Foster High School Listening Session 12/8/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group (approximately 20 attendees):
1. Strengths
a. Light rail; buses
b. Culture – many different cultures
c. Tight knit community with generational connections
d. Like the school, feel safe, home away from home
e. Everyone is different and people are welcoming to everyone
f. Tukwila is chill
g. More programs and opportunities for everyone, for example library has program for
new immigrants
h. Students seem more welcoming that in other schools to new students, less clicky
2. Weaknesses
a. There is a lot of homeless people which shows there’s need
b. Kind of boring
c. Some apartments small bad like drugs and alcohol
d. Bus stops have needles, trash, smell, broken glass, smell bad
e. Trash along Gilliam creek
f. Abandoned houses and buildings
g. Students have had to leave TSD because rents have gone up.
h. Need more resources for recent immigrants to connect with District to build trust
i. Old dilapidated, unsafe apartment buildings
j. Need math programs for students with very low English
k. One apartment building has a lot of false fire alarms at night
l. Apartments poorly maintained
3. Want to See
a. Less homeless on street, people having shelter and housing
b. Volunteer program to clean up litter
c. Skating rink
d. Junior ROTC
e. More activities beyond the mall, especially to engage youth,
f. Teen center near foster high
g. Via App won’t show TCC and the app won’t pull up getting to light rail
h. Ice skating
i. More activities to do around the school
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j. More funding to retain teachers, and hire more
k. More funding for school supplies. For example, Renton has funding
l. More grocery stores so it’s easier for people to get to them
m. More support for local businesses (e.g. Mall of Africa in SeaTac)
n. Think about what would be moved or affected when building something new and how it
affects the communities
o. Selfie museum/selfie center (e.g for Instagram, tiktok) for free
p. More safety at parks, more parks
q. Activities for younger kids (is there little league football or other sports for kids)
r. More restaurants
s. More restaurants that are walkable to Foster and healthier food.
t. Grocery store like Amazon fresh
u. More diversity of food, healthier, and vegetarian or vegan
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City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
SeaTac Tukwila Community Coalition
Community Leaders Listening Session 12/2/22
This listening session took place on Friday, Dec. 2 nd 6pm-7pm, over zoom, during STCC’s
community leadership cohort training.
Facilitators:
o Derek Speck, City of Tukwila
o Jill Kong, Global to Local
o AJ McClure, Global to Local
o Nasra Mohamed, Somali Health Board
o Rose Atumba, Congolese Integration Network
o Floribert Mubalama, Congolese Integration Network
o Francoise Milinganyo, Congolese Integration Network
o Dorcas Chishungu, Congolese Integration Network
Attendees:
o Najma Abdi, SHB Cohort
o Iman Omar, SHB Cohort
o Abdimaalik Mohamed, SHB Cohort
o Lona Medhane, SHB Cohort
o Kenneth Luundo, CIN Cohort
o Serge Kalala, CIN Cohort
o Zalema Kuedituka, CIN Cohort
o Nida Ntita, CIN Cohort
o Aristid Kanangila, CIN Cohort
Questions to prompt discussion:
o How could we improve Tukwila’s economy to better support our businesses, workers, and
residents?
o What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
o What types of jobs would you like to see more of in Tukwila? What are the barriers to
those jobs?
Comments from group:
1. More fresh and cultural foods
2. More Congolese restaurants; food diversity builds connections
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
3. Training like internships, apprenticeships, certifications, especially for people who already
have skills and education but are not allowed to work while their US documentation is being
process.
4. How to create a sustainable funding mechanism to avoid displacement of small businesses.
5. Tukwila has a USCIS office, which is a strength.
6. Need more affordable housing; it’s becoming less affordable for refugees and immigrants.
Need more 3 and 4 bedroom units.
7. Community center more accessible to people without cars and refugees and immigrants along
TIB.
8. Build a new college in Tukwila.
9. Build a new hospital in Tukwila.
10. Launch or bring a cultural festival to Tukwila to celebrate the diversity of Tukwila.
11. Help small businesses and entrepreneurs locate in Tukwila.
12. Help people learn how to become developers to develop the types of space they want.
13. Provide program to help small, under-served businesses learn how to market to government.
14. Less fast food
15. Less liquor and tobacco
16. Well detailed ESL course, apprenticeship programs, or even courses designed to help people
learn more about the process of running a business such as the paperwork invovled would be
great.
17. Funding for community organizations to have strong leadership.
64
City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
SeaTac Tukwila Community Coalition MEMBERS Listening Session 12/1/22
This listening session took place on Thursday, Dec. 1 st 10am-11am, over zoom.
Attendees:
o Jill Kong, Global to Local
o AJ McClure, Global to Local
o Rose Atumba, Congolese Integration Network
o Nasra Mohamed, Somali Health Board
o Mohamed Shidane, Somali Health Board
o Ngam Nguyen, Partner in Employment
Questions to prompt discussion:
o What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
o What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
o What are the needs of people working in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Add survey in French
2. More cultural and healthy restaurants
3. Less fast food
4. Help small businesses stay in the city
5. How to welcome higher paying jobs without displacing people
6. More community clinics with providers from cultures in Tukwila
7. More programs for middle school, high school, and recent high school graduates for safe, healthy
activities, employment training, apprenticeship opportunities, especially for those who are in the
black refugee community.
8. Highlight Ukrainian language
9. Support for community members to lead healthier lives such as parks, teen and senior center,
positive experiences for people.
10. Make Tukwila Pond Park an attractive amenity for residents, businesses and visitors.
11. Affordable commercial space for all types of small businesses, especially BIPOC businesses.
12. Easier to navigate pathway for small businesses to open in Tukwila, using an equity lens, such as
workshops or how-to guides on permitting.
13. There are many refugees with business experience and skills and who would like to start small
businesses but can not afford to rent commercial space.
14. Hall space to rent for cultural events
15. Retail space with multiple small units, such as the Medina Mall at Tukwila Village.
16. Ensure the economic development strategy takes into account equity for underserved communities
and avoids displacement of residents and small businesses.
17. Ensure that revenue growth goals do not result in displacement of residents and businesses.
18. Consider including an equity section or chapter in the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan
and/or the Comprehensive Plan.
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66
City of Tukwila
Office of Economic Development
Input on the Economic Development Strategy
Rotary Club Listening Session 11/10/22
Questions to prompt discussion:
1. What are the strengths of Tukwila’s economy?
2. What are the weaknesses of Tukwila’s economy?
3. What are the challenges facing Tukwila’s businesses?
4. What are the opportunities facing Tukwila’s businesses?
5. What are your ideas to improve Tukwila’s economy and tax revenue?
6. What are your ideas to improve the lives of Tukwila’s residents who are working?
7. What types of businesses would you like to see less of in Tukwila?
8. What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Comments from group:
1. Tukwila South – “sleeping giant”
2. Ensure plenty of parks, including small parks
3. Protecting natural areas like along the river
4. More local coffee shops
5. More brew pubs
6. Is there a community gathering place? Neighborhoods should have local gathering places for
the neighborhood
7. Community center for kids in the TIB area, including meeting spaces, activity spaces
8. Youth center
9. Health care
10. More urgent care, especially on TIB
11. Need more affordable housing, including workforce housing
12. A full-service grocery store
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68
R E P O R T O N
S M A L L B U S I N E S S
S U P P O R T &
W O R K F O R C E
D E V E L O P M E N T
P R O G R A M S
2022
Report by:
Daniel Horst
Farmers Market & Food Access
Manager
For:
City of Tukwila Office of
Economic Development
African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 69
African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 1
African Community Housing & Development (ACHD) is a community-
founded and –led organization that builds prosperity for the African
Diaspora immigrant and refugee community in King County. ACHD
operates via three core pillars: housing/social services, education, and
economic development.
Our Mission: To provide opportunities for African Diaspora immigrant
and refugee communities, families, and individuals in South King
County to attain health and housing stability, economic development,
high-quality education, and referrals to legal services.
Our Vision: An informed African immigrant and refugee community
that is engaged in the holistic development of their families,
communities, and environment.
ACHD launched our Small Business Support work in 2020, assisting
small business owners with PPP applications and other forms of
economic COVID relief. In 2021, ACHD conducted a Small Business
Needs Assessment, and launched our Delridge Farmers Market as an
economic development program in Southwest Seattle. Since then,
our Small Business Support work has grown rapidly, continually
expanding to meet community demand.
The African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community places a
high value on entrepreneurship. In 2017, almost nine percent of all
immigrants in Seattle were entrepreneurs (about 54,318 people),
making them about 36.8% more likely to be entrepreneurs than U.S.-
born citizens.
In addition, ACHD runs a successful workforce development program,
launched in 2021, with the goal of connecting community members
with high-wage, rewarding careers. Much of the community is under-
employed with low-wage jobs that do not support the whole family’s
needs; others generate income using the gig economy and face
similar issues.
"Immigrants and the economy in: Seattle Metro Area," New American Economy,
https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/city/seattle/
1
1
70
African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 2
ACHD Small Business Technical Assistance Program
ACHD’s Small Business Support Program is two-fold. ACHD’s Farmers
Market and Food Access Manager Daniel has a background in small
scale farming, sales, and hospitality management. He focuses on
supporting BIPOC-owned food and farming businesses across King
County. Primary activities include webinars hosted in collaboration
with local farming incubator groups and other market organizations
including Viva Farms, New Roots IRC, and Rain or Shine Market,
focused on topics such as direct sales and marketing strategies, web
presence and digital marketing, tax planning, and more. Daniel
performs frequent outreach on open grants, non-traditional loans,
and business support programs to ensure the small business
community is informed of available funding and resources.
Businesses frequently request one-on-one coaching and support on
specific needs like permitting, grant writing support, and branding.
Abokor, ACHD’s Small Business Support Manager, focuses on serving
the East African community, a tight-knit group with which he has
strong connections and relationships. Word of mouth travels fast in
this community, so many of his clients find out about services through
friends and colleagues and come to our offices in person for support.
Abokor’s professional background is in transportation and logistics,
previously working as an owner-operator long haul trucker. He speaks
Somali and is able to provide robust support and interpretation
services to his clients from a range of industries. As Abokor began
leading the program in September when the Working Washington
Round 5 grant was released, his primary activities thus far have been
in supporting clients with this grant application and navigating the
complex federal system that now requires UEI numbers for grant
recipients. He has also provided support on other public and private
sector grant programs including the DCYF Early Childhood Equity
grant, Comcast RISE, and Heinz Restaurant grants, focused on
providing flexible funds for economic support and COVID recovery
dollars to BIPOC-owned businesses.
African Community Housing & Development is a member of the
Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business
Resiliency Network (SBRN).
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 3
This program offers a network of technical assistance providers
available free of charge to small businesses across the state. In
particular, the network is focused on providing culturally and
linguistically relevant services, and the SBRN represents the diverse
array of global communities that live in our state. Members of the
network meet regularly to share strategies, resources, key learnings
and collaborative opportunities to ensure clients across the board are
holistically supported. Many organizations in the SBRN work together
on projects and offer complimentary resources to one another to
magnify and maximize impact.
Demographics
Since taking on the Small Business Technical Assistance program in
September, Abokor has assisted 14 clients in Tukwila and SeaTac
across several industries. 50 percent of these clients operate a sole
proprietorship business, 29 percent operate an LLC, 14 percent an S-
Corp, and 7 percent a C-Corp. The main industries represented by
these clients include transportation (i.e. trucking, taxi, and rideshare
services), childcare, and import/exports. Abokor has also worked with
clients in the mixed retail and hospitality/restaurant industries. All of
the clients served by Abokor are immigrants and refugees from East
Africa. 85 percent of these clients speak Somali as their primary
language, and 15 percent split between Amharic and English. About
86 percent of these businesses would all fall into the startup or
growth stage and about 14 percent would be considered in decline.
Businesses served by Abokor are about 65 percent male-owned and
35 percent female-owned.
Aden, ACHD’s Chief Housing Specialist, has also worked closely with
43 entrepreneurs from the Mall of Africa in SeaTac. The businesses at
the mall are approximately 70 percent Somali- and 30 percent
Ethiopian-owned. Approximately 70 percent of these businesses are
women-owned and nearly all are sole proprietorships or single
member LLCs. The mall is a recent development project and has been
open for about 18 months. Almost every business owner at the mall is
struggling to pay rent, many owing 3-6 months of back rent. This
issue coupled with a lack of funds for and knowledge of advertising
and marketing campaigns has left many of these businesses with few
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 4
customers and low sales. They are also struggling to find and keep
employees as most business owners cannot afford to pay more than
minimum wage. Business owners also state a need for web
development and hosting services, as even for those who have the
capacity to design and create a website, most cannot afford hosting
fees. Unfortunately, our rental assistance program has not extended
to commercial leases, and we do not have funds available for cash
assistance, so these entrepreneurs have not been able to receive
much financial support. Aden and ACHD’s executive director Hamdi
have been working closely with local legislators from the county and
state level to advocate on behalf of these businesses, meeting with
lawmakers to strategize modes of support and potential options to
grant funds to these businesses to improve their economic resilience.
Daniel has performed outreach on open grants and loan programs to
about 15 restaurant and food-based businesses in the Tukwila and
SeaTac area. Many of the food-based businesses Daniel works with are
in Seattle, especially central and south Seattle. The farmers Daniel
serves are most often located in more rural areas and Agricultural
Production Districts like those in the Kent and Sammamish valleys.
The main clients who have received direct services and support in the
Tukwila/SeaTac area have been 9 chefs who own small catering and
market-based prepared food businesses, some of whom we also work
with through our Delridge Farmers Market program. 100 percent of
these chefs are women of color from countries across the globe
including Senegal, Gambia, Congo, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Mexico.
All of these clients are recent immigrants and refugees, about 90% of
whom have been in business for less than 3 years. There is a diverse
array of primary languages spoken by these clients including Swahili,
Lingala, French, Khmer, and Spanish. Only about 11 percent speak
English as their primary language. These talented chefs provide a
wide array of culturally relevant food for their communities and are
often most in need of support to navigate the bureaucracy of food
business permitting (30 percent), grant writing support (25 percent),
web development and digital marketing (25 percent), and branding
(20 percent). Nearly all these chefs are also seeking more sales and
market opportunities, so there is a strong element of value chain
coordination in this work with regular outreach and matchmaking to
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 5
other market organizations, events, and catering opportunities.
Because of Daniel’s background in restaurants and hospitality, he
understands the importance of positive, consistent guest experiences,
working closely with chefs to identify ways of improving their
customer engagement, presenting their cuisine and services in a
manner that resonates with the average consumer.
In an effort to reduce barriers to our services, we gather a minimum of
demographic information from clients to ensure we can still capture
valuable insights while respecting the privacy and dignity of our
clients. ACHD staff are seen as trusted messengers to our diverse
community of African Diaspora individuals. Because of historic and
continued inequities and discrimination experienced by these
community members, there is often a well-founded, deep-seated
mistrust of government programs, traditional funders, and all the
forms and data gathering that comes along with these programs.
Because of this, many of the insights and key learnings from our
programs come in the form of conversation and anecdotes from
clients, most often captured as case notes that will be expanded upon
in the Client Needs section.
Client Needs
From the one-on-one client meetings, coaching sessions, and
relationship building efforts undertaken by Abokor and Daniel, a
variety of client needs have emerged from our small business
community, with a few key trends. Most often, clients are seeking
access to flexible funds that can be used for any number of business
activities. Especially given the COVID situation, many clients are
seeking funds to pay back rent, utilities, and other fixed expenses as
their businesses experienced reduced revenues due to COVID. This is
a unique challenge as a large proportion of our clients are of the
Muslim faith, and therefore are unable to accept loans with interest.
ACHD has been in conversation with several local credit unions and
CDFIs to explore the potential for a cash assistance or revolving loan
fund program that would allow entrepreneurs access to small and
microloans with no interest. Oftentimes, clients do not know where to
look for these financial resources and access to capital, and so there is
a mandatory element of outreach and education when informing
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 6
clients of capital opportunities.
As many of our clients have recently immigrated to the US, often with
limited English language skills, navigating the business licensing,
permitting, and finance landscape is a main challenge. Many websites
like the Department of Commerce and city government pages are
only available in English (and sometimes Spanish). Financial literacy is
a recurring need we have seen from a variety of business owners
across many industries, especially courses and instruction that can be
offered in the native language of clients – Somali, Amharic, Kiswahili,
and Arabic to name a few. Often clients do not have the financial
records, credit score, etc. required to be prepared for loan and grant
applications. Abokor’s work on this program has been essential in
getting access to grant funds for non- or limited-English speaking
clients. While applications and forms are often available in languages
other than English, typically funders require narrative responses to be
recorded in English regardless, representing a barrier to many of our
clients.
Small business clients often have overlapping needs as well, such as
seeking home rental assistance, food assistance, legal support, and
other aid offered through ACHD programs. ACHD has had the
opportunity to provide financial assistance to thousands of clients
through our eviction prevention and rental assistance programs;
unfortunately, these funds have mostly dried up as COVID recovery
dollars dwindle, and often legacy clients are under the impression
that we have cash reserves to offer to anyone in need. Often clients
would not apply for any sort of government benefits, grants, etc.
without our introduction and guidance, due to the deep mistrust of
bureaucratic entities and programs. All of this speaks to a continued
need for funds to be allocated to trusted messengers and
organizations like ACHD who are embedded in and represent the
communities served.
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 7
ACHD Workforce Development Program
Background
Through our Workforce Development program, African Community
Housing & Development has partnered with the Port of Seattle to
provide culturally and linguistically relevant coaching and education
to African Diaspora immigrants and refugees who are seeking to
begin lifelong careers in Port-related industries. These industries
include aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green energy.
ACHD’s multi-faceted Workforce Development program provides
employment opportunities, paid training opportunities, mock
interview training, resume building sessions, job application
assistance and more. To ensure our clients are paid a livable wage and
compensated fairly for their work, ACHD will not pursue employment
opportunities for clients offering less than $20 an hour. Since starting
in the role at the beginning of September, Amal, ACHD’s Workforce
Development Case Manager has successfully placed 11 clients in full-
time roles with the Port of Seattle, and offered support, training,
application assistance, and more to an additional 65 clients.
Demographics
Of 76 clients served over the past 3 months, 13 are residents of Tukwila
and 7 are SeaTac residents. Approximately 75 percent of the clients
served through our Workforce Development program are new to
America, having lived less than 3 years in country. These clients
represent a variety of cultures across North and East Africa, and the
Middle East. All clients served in this program have the ability to
obtain legal employment. Most commonly, clients’ job history
includes entry level jobs in childcare, retail and customer service, as
well as skilled labor jobs in janitorial, transportation, and warehousing
industries. The vast majority of clients in the program are seeking full-
time employment and are open to work opportunities in a variety of
sectors.
Of all the clients served across Tukwila and SeaTac (20), 45% speak
English as a primary language, 30% Somali, 15% Dari, and 5% Amharic.
15% of these clients identify as homeless. The most common level of
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 8
access to more housing programs including rental assistance and
lower cost or subsidized options for permanent housing
paid training and certification programs meant to eventually
obtain employment
free English language learning classes
assistance with transportation (bus passes, stipends, etc.)
education completed by clients was a high school degree (45%),
followed by some college (25%), vocational or technical school (10%),
no high school (10%). One client from the area had obtained a
bachelor’s degree, and one a master’s degree. 60% of the clients are
male and 40% female. The average age of clients seeking job
placement and related services is 32, and overall age range is 18 to 56
years old.
Client Needs
Through conversations and relationship building efforts, our
Workforce Development Manager Amal has had a chance to learn
about the recurring needs of her clients. Amal states the most
frequent needs she hears from clients are:
Lastly, some clients in our Workforce Development program have
sought out legal assistance from our staff to expunge criminal records
that will increase their eligibility for a variety of positions.
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 9
Conclusion and Discussion
Through both our Small Business and Workforce Development
programs, we have identified several key trends in the community
ACHD serves that may be used to inform future programs designed
to increase economic prosperity for residents of the City of Tukwila.
First and foremost, projects designed to uplift underserved
communities like the African Diaspora immigrants and refugees
served at ACHD should be embedded in and administered by the
communities served. Our staff speaks 10+ languages, expertly
navigating and leveraging their existing networks effectively
disseminate information, resources, and opportunities to the
community. The cultural and linguistic capacity of our staff allows
ACHD to be seen as trusted messengers in the African Diaspora
community, forming strong, lasting bonds with clients served.
Cities with mixed population demographics like the Tukwila and
SeaTac area must acknowledge and seek to repair the deep-seated,
well-informed mistrust of bureaucracy and government programs in
communities of color. By partnering with organizations embedded in
the communities served, municipalities can foster conditions that will
begin repairing these damaged relationships while simultaneously
addressing historic and continued inequities in economic, housing,
food and other assistance programs affecting those communities
most. At a minimum, this could look like making resources and
programs available in as many languages as possible, hiring culturally
competent staff, and/or contracting with organizations to provide
interpretation and translation services whenever possible, to ensure
equitable opportunities exist across cultures and communities.
Furthermore, the largest recurring need for flexible funding that we
hear from clients have shown us that any loan programs or other
methods of granting funds should be administered with an interest-
free option that will comply with the needs of the Muslim community.
There are many options to explore in this regard including
partnerships with services like KIVA and models created by local
CDFIs such as Craft3. Additionally, while COVID recovery dollars have
waned, we know through direct experience with clients, confirmed by
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African Community Housing & Development
16256 Military Rd S, Suite 206, SeaTac WA 98188
206.257.1166 || info@achdo.org || EIN: 83-1665288 10
reports like University of Washington’s WAFOOD surveys, that food
insecurity rates are still higher in communities of color than they were
pre-COVID, pointing to a continued need for culturally relevant food
assistance funds, particularly those that allow for convenient, dignified
shopping experiences as opposed to the traditional food bank or
commodity box experience.
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Business Comments
Survey Conducted Door-to-Door by the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors
October and December 2022
Business Name Neighborhood Question: What Keeps You Up At Night?
1 60CFTEC Southcenter Crime, Homelessness, drug use
2 AMERICAN Transport Southcenter homeless occupancy, arsen, Windows broken, break ins
3 Appliances 4 Less Southcenter NP
4 Armadillo Painting Southcenter "Things have been good"
5 BBJ LA Tavola Southcenter Security, clean up the city
6 Bed Bath and Beyond Southcenter misplaced shopping carts/stolen, hired a private security guard, has helped with night
theft since business is slow at this time
7 Beverage Specialists Inc Southcenter
8 Bobalust Southcenter Theft
9 Bowlero Southcenter Property Crime, Car theft, break ins (major issue)Business is great but customers are
dissatisfied departing to see their vehicle has been damaged or stolen
10 Brookstone landscaping Southcenter
11 College Hunks Southcenter
12 Contrivance Southcenter Security for breakins, Getting people in
13 CORE food service Southcenter homeless occupancy
14 Cuiline Southcenter
15 Dimension XR Southcenter NP
16 ECO Shield Pest Solutions Southcenter NA
17 Entrance Controls Locking systems Southcenter
18 Fastest Labs of Renton/Tukwila Southcenter employment and community awareness on drug/alc abuse in the workplace/ premises
19 FRANK Southcenter NA
20 Goy Supplements Southcenter Safety of meployees and customers, homelessness and drug use, car theft, buses
21 Guitar Center Southcenter High theft, business is good though and very busy
22 IFIY Seattle Southcenter Parking safety
23 Incentives By Design Southcenter NP
24 JAGS Auto Detail Southcenter
25 JS Dental clinic Southcenter Homelessness (experienced threats)
26 LA Fitness Southcenter Car theft, theft inside business
27 Mallory Paint Southcenter Break ins
81
28 Miss Saigon Nail Bar Southcenter NP
29 MM Distribution Southcenter NA
30 MOR Beauty Southcenter homelessness, lots of drugs, shopping carts, clothes, and garbage
31 Noble Eyes and Vision Center Southcenter Parking lot space, crime, safety, homelessness
32 ONG Innpvations Southcenter NP
33 Oppegaard Meadesy Southcenter business is good
34 Pogo Linux Southcenter NA
35 Progression Physical Therapy Southcenter Homelessness, A lot of drugs, shopping carts placed haphazardly
36 Proshred Seattle Southcenter Crime, Lack of property owner and property manager accountability
37 Qudobe Southcenter Translent crime, vandalism, arsin
38 REI Southcenter minor public saftey issues, have a private onsight security guard
39 Samson Realty Southcenter NP
40 SDI Southcenter Break ins, need for a security presence
41 Sea Air Freight Express INC Southcenter Crime, Theft w company cor
42 Soslei Omiya Southcenter Staff Shortage, turn over, most people live in Tukwilla
43 Sound Masters Inc. Southcenter trees too low when trucks are in passing, landscaping
44 Strange clouds Premium vapes Southcenter NP
45 Tekline Roofing Southcenter Crime, Homelessness, window breaking
46 Trend Target Southcenter No issues
47 UPS Southcenter Window/vandalism, theft, neighbors, homelessness on the transit
48 Urban Family Center Assoc.Southcenter youth safety
49 Vent Tee Southcenter Security, unable to leave vans, catalytic converters stolen
50 Worksite Labs Southcenter Lots of break ins, security
51 Appliance Distributors TIB Public Safety, homelessness, B/O tax budget no being business owner friendly cost wise
52 Axis Chiropractic TIB Homelessness, urinating, broken windows, unsafe feeling, B/O tax
53 Bartell Drugs TIB Everyday theft esp. cosmetics,r reports theft to police daily
54 Chevron TIB Homelessness, Crime, Theft
55 Community Corner Café TIB buisness is doing well, homelessness is a minor concern
56 Dubai Cafetria & Expresso TIB great
57 Juba Restaurant and café TIB Lanuage barrier
58 Keybank TIB Security saftey , mental health resources, parking violation
59 KFC TIB inappropriate bathroom use, homelessness, homeless using the bathroom
60 Lavendar Laundromat TIB Car theft, trespassers, public safety, but business is good
82
61 Medina Mall TIB Language barrier, business is a bit slow
62 Pacific Liquor Store TIB needs a new lease, only given 2 months to find a new place of business
63 Pupuseria Cabanas TIB Homelessness, Safety at night
64 Taco Time TIB Homeless, "riff raff", business is good
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Tukwila Spanish-Speaking Business Survey Outreach Report
Prepared by: Growing Contigo LLC
Outreach Summary: Growing Contigo staff conducted direct in-person outreach to 4 businesses
identified as Spanish speaking operating in the City of Tukwila.
● Each identified business received an introductory phone call inviting them to participate
in the City’s economic development strategy survey. Our staff identified the main point of
contact and the best time to swing by for a drop-in visit.
● Each identified business received an introductory visit dropping off a paper survey, flier
with invitation to fill out the survey directly online, and a secondary visit to either help
them complete the survey or answer any questions they may have. Only 1 business
invited our team to assist them in filling out the survey.
● Neighboring businesses also received a visit from our team with a flier dropoff inviting
them to participate in the online survey. In total, 15 businesses were visited and received
a flier with a link to an online survey.
Business Visits: Below is the tracking data on our business visits and follow-ups.
Name of
Business Address Phone
Primary
Contact
Initial
Visit
Date
Follow-
up Date Notes
El Pollo Real 12449 E Marginal Way S
206-565-
4271
Rosario
Castro 11/22/22 11/23/22
Survey
Completed
Birrieria
Monarca
14201 Interurban Ave S
#4615
206-420-
7496 Pedro Ruiz 11/22/22 11/23/22
Dropped off
survey
La Esquina
Cafe 12930 E Marginal Way S
206-402-
3759
Erica
Rodriguez 11/22/22 11/23/22
Dropped off
survey
Taqueria
Jalisco
14000 Tukwila
International Blvd
206-771-
9497
Cesar
Mata
Gomez 11/22/22 11/23/22
Dropped off
survey
Julius Rosso
Nursery 12525 E Marginal Way S 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Impress Ink 4010 S 130th St 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
LaShaun Daye
Hair 4010 S 130th St 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Honeyz Events
12910 E Marginal Way S
#3140 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Top Line
Market
12910 E Marginal Way S
- Suite B 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Sunny's Auto
Repair & Tires
14004 Tukwila
International Blvd 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
85
Sahara Cafe
13919 Tukwila
International Blvd 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Town Grocery
13923 Tukwila
International Blvd 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Jubba Cuts
13921 Tukwila
International Blvd 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Royal Choice
Laundry 4012 S 140th St 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Aaran
Restaurant
13820 Tukwila
International Blvd 11/22/22
Dropped off
flier
Social Media Promotion: A social media campaign was conducted via Facebook between the
dates of 11/22/22 and 11/30/22. A Facebook Event was created with information and a direct
link to the online survey. We utilized the “Event Ticket” link option to directly link to the survey
link. The event page was shared via our social media networks, and re-shared by community
partners such as the Dominican Association of Washington State.
Below is a summary of the methods utilized to target Spanish speaking businesses in Tukwila.
The ad was successful in reaching 3,029 people with the following audience details:
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We spent $100 in ad buys using Facebook’s targeted audience feature. The ad resulted in an
overall post engagement of 33 actions, including 23 direct survey link clicks. Below is a
summary of the activity received for this ad buy.
Lessons Learned:
● Businesses were hesitant at first to engage with our team, however after a brief
conversation one business (El Pollo Real) asked us to fill out the paper survey for them.
We thanked everyone for their time and informed them that we would be stopping by the
neighborhood again in the near future.
● Repeat visits are the most impactful way of establishing trust and having a successful
engagement with small businesses. Our limited time on this project resulted in low in-
person results, but with good data for future engagement activities.
● The online social media campaign was successful in reaching our intended audience.
The results of the overall post engagement and post re-shares demonstrate an interest
in more information being provided.
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www.talithaconsults.com
Dear Derek:
We are grateful to engage with the residents of Tukwila on behalf of the City’s Economic
Development team. Talitha Consults (Talitha) organized three outreach activities within the last
four weeks. Two engagements with 50 residents in two apartment complexes in Tukwila. With
the support of Eduardo Torres, special Ed teacher at Foster High School, ten special needs
students also completed a simplified survey. In total, we were able to engage with 60 participants
creatively and inclusively. The survey was conducted in 7 languages! In partnership with the City,
Talitha also reinvested in Tukwila by offering a $20 stipend to each participant and offering
snacks and juice boxes for the children.
We are pleased that many participants engaged fully and shared their thoughts on Tukwila's
Economic Development Strategic Plan. This report centers the voices and visions of the targeted
community within the City of Tukwila -OUR COMMUNITY.
Wishing you all continued success,
Charis, Ehler & Eugene
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CONTENTS
www.talithaconsults.com
Project Overview
Participants’ Experiences
Consultant’s Overall Observations & Recommendations
Participants’ Profile
What We Learned From Foster High School Students
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6
13
15
17
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www.talithaconsults.com
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Participants’ Experiences
Consultant’s Overall Observation & Recommendation
Participants’ Profile
What We Learned From Foster High School Students
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●Outreach and engagement with resident-renters: Two engagement events at Ridge
Spring & Ridge Cliff apartments in Tukwila; engaged with a total of 50 residents in Tukwila.
Distributed surveys in seven languages at both on-site engagements.
●Outreach to Foster high school special needs students:10 student participants.
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Project Overview
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www.talithaconsults.com
Project Overview
PARTICIPANTS’ EXPERIENCES
Consultant’s Overall Observation & Recommendation
Participants’ Profile
What We Learned From Foster High School Students
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Question 1: How could we improve Tukwila to better support our businesses or workers or residents?
www.talithaconsults.com
Core themes are repeated comments from survey participants. They are not listed in the order of
importance.
• Provide better maintenance and curb appeal for the existing neighborhood parks, bus stops and parking lots
• Increase public safety and crime prevention. Many residents at in both apartment complexes are victims of
repeated car vandalism
• More jobs that pay livable wage - trade jobs, health care, education, construction jobs
• More accessible / low barrier jobs - factory, manufacturing warehouse, bus driving and jobs for teens
• Many residents are artisans - carpet weavers, tailors ‘Can the City help promote their skills?’
• More street lights and patrol
• More support to existing small and Latino-owned businesses
• Residents are supporters of local small business so when residents thrive they are better supporters of the
local economy
• Affordable rent
• Affordable home ownership
• More health care facilities - most survey takers go to Burien, Tacoma and Seattle for medical appointments
• Better transit options
• More indoor sports in Tukwila - gyms and wellness facilities; the community center is not close and
convenient to get to for transit dependent residents
“I think there should be more advertisement to support our businesses and
workers
More help for the Latino community”
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Question 2: What types of businesses would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
Core themes are repeated comments from survey participants. They are not
listed in the order of importance.
•Health care facilities that will generate jobs and provide health care
•Food markets that sell Asian foods and hire local residents
•Small businesses owned and operated by residents with immigrant and refugee
backgrounds such as Latino-owned businesses
•Business center for artisans such as tailoring, carpentry, beauty salons and spaces
for artisan to practice their skills like weaving carpet rugs
•More libraries
•English language centers
•More construction companies that will generate trade jobs that pay livable wages
•Affordable clothing stores
•Affordable organic products and vegetarian food
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Question 3: What are the strengths of Tukwila's business economy?
www.talithaconsults.com
Core themes are repeated comments from survey participants. They are not listed in the
order of importance.
•The K-12 school system. Culture and language specific interpreters are most helpful.
•Gastronomy is a strength in Tukwila’s economy
•Closer to Seattle and shopping malls
•Trade (export & import)
•Bus-stops are close by
•Discounted heating and internet for income eligible residents & businesses
•Entertainment areas for children and teenagers
•Residents
“Everyone helping each other when there is hard times”
“The strength of Tukwila’s business economy are the shopping malls and trades that
facilitate the residents.”
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What specific opportunities should the City pursue?
Core themes are repeated comments from survey participants. They are not listed in the order of
importance.
• More medical facilities that will generate higher wage jobs and provide medical services
• Job opportunities for teens
• Job readiness classes and English language centers
• More businesses that generate low barrier jobs in addition to retail and food services
• More school buses
• More small businesses and street-level/neighborhood businesses as opposed to giant shopping malls
• Grocery stores that serve Asian food
• Training and cultural centers and more public parks/ open spaces near the apartments
• Cafes and restaurants because these small businesses generate jobs for the locals
• More street lights
• More Spanish speakers to help Latino communities navigate social and economic systems
• More targeted support for culturally specific groups. For example, job fairs for targeted communities.
• Affordable child care
“If the easy recruitment process takes place for the new Afghan refugees, it will be better for us
and also to support the Tukwila’s business. Making the hiring process simple and easy for the
newly arrived Afghan refugees will be great.”
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Question 4: What kind of jobs would you like to see more of in Tukwila?
www.talithaconsults.com
Core Themes:
•More low barrier jobs like manufacturing, factory, warehouse and construction jobs
•Vocational, recreational, health, medical and wellness jobs
•More international cuisines (Mexican, Italian, etc…)
•Trade jobs- construction, carpentry, electrician
•Jobs for artisans - tailoring, carpet weaving, dress making and beauty salons
•Diverse jobs for family businesses
•Jobs for teens
“I can be a good doctor in the future, medical jobs are good to see more”
“We want to see fewer gas stations”
“We would like to see more jobs as tailoring (dressmaking) and hand crafts,
especially for the Afghan women. Tailoring (dressmaking) and hand crafts,
especially for the Afghan women.“
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