HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCD 2021-03-15 Item 1B - Grant Application - Economic Development Grant from Port of Seattle ($5,340 Local Match)City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Community Development
FROM: Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: March 8, 2021
SUBJECT: 2021 Port of Seattle Economic Development Grant
ISSUE
Staff requests committee approval to submit an application for an economic development grant
from the Port of Seattle.
BACKGROUND
The Port of Seattle is accepting applications for its 2021 Economic Development Partnership
Program. Applications are due by March 31, 2021. Funds are awarded based on each cities'
population, with Tukwila being eligible to receive $21,360. The Port requires that each city
receiving funds provides a match of 50 percent of the total value of the Port funds. The match
can include both cash and in-kind contributions, provided at least half of the match is cash.
Funds must be expended no later than October 31, 2021.
Port of Seattle funds must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses, create
jobs, foster business growth, promote consumer confidence, or support the Port of Seattle
business interests. Per the Port, uses may include:
• Small business relief and assistance (including incubator/accelerator projects, technical
assistance, and support for impacted businesses).
• Industry or key sector business retention and expansion assistance.
• Projects that boost local tourism and consumer confidence such as buy local campaigns.
• Workforce development initiatives that address local unemployment or
underemployment issues.
• Other projects that can tangibly address pandemic related economic issues.
The Port has stated that the following projects would be ineligible for grant funds:
• Business recruitment initiatives designed to attract new companies or investment to a
region or city.
• Economic development planning.
• Placemaking projects, neighborhood activation projects, and events.
• Direct cash grants or loans made to businesses or organizations.
• Capital projects including projects to construct either new facilities or make significant,
long-term improvements to existing facilities.
• Underwriting general or capital expenses associated with an event or program already in
progress.
• Any project that would violate federal, state, or local laws.
• Any project that would fall outside of the authorized activities that Ports can fund or
engage in.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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DISCUSSION
Staff would like to use the Port grant for digital development for small, primarily minority owned
businesses in the City and to enhance the City's Experience Tukwila digital opportunities.
The pandemic showed the importance for businesses to have a digital presence. When staff
tried to promote several businesses during the pandemic, via the Experience Tukwila digital
assets, we found several businesses did not have websites or social media accounts for the
City to promote and link to. In addition, many businesses did not have quality photographs
and/or videos we could use for Experience Tukwila.
Using the Port Grant and lodging tax funds staff is considering a program that would provide the
following outcomes:
1. Modeled after the City of Seattle program,' the City of Tukwila will partner with a non-
profit to provide training for Tukwila youth on creating a digital presence for Tukwila
small businesses (with an emphasis on minority and women owned). The youth would
create a website and other digital assets for participating businesses. Once these
businesses have websites the City can link to them via the Experience Tukwila website
and Experience Tukwila social media accounts.
2. Obtaining better quality videos and photography for small, consumer facing businesses
in the City. These digital assets could be used via the Experience Tukwila digital
mediums to promote the City and the businesses.
3. Helping Tukwila small businesses improve their Google and Yelp pages, specifically
providing education about the importance of "owning" their pages so customers can
better locate the businesses and interact with the businesses.
4. Expanding and promoting more minority owned, consumer facing businesses on
Experience Tukwila.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Per the grant requirements, the City is required to provide a cash match of $5,340. The source
of this match will come from the lodging tax program and/or the Economic Development 2021
budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Discussion only. Staff is looking for committee approval to submit an application for the Port of
Seattle grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Ikuow.org/stories/black—owned—restaurants—get—tech—assist—from—seattle—teens
22 https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/Mayor's Office/PCD, March 15/Port Grant.doc