The 2026 budget passed by the Seattle City Council highlights our continued focus on supporting a thriving, inclusive business ecosystem – one that attracts new industry and helps local businesses grow, innovate, and create opportunity across the city. The approved budget maintains our direction of leading projects and making investments… [ Keep reading ]
Support small businesses this Small Business Saturday Small businesses are what makes Seattle’s economy great. They showcase the creative energy, diverse culture, and entrepreneurial drive that makes our city one of a kind. Small Business Saturday, and the holiday season, gives everyone an opportunity to support those businesses and celebrate… [ Keep reading ]
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Eproval, a new online Special Events permitting software that makes it easier to get a special events permit. This shift to a software-based application and permitting system modernizes and streamlines all aspects of the process. Using Eproval will save event organizers a… [ Keep reading ]
Many things contribute to the unique character or a neighborhood: the local shops and restaurants, annual events, and the special landmarks. In many Seattle neighborhoods, Business Improvement Areas are often the on-the-ground support maintaining those special qualities. There are 11 BIAs in Seattle, each formed by local businesses and organizations… [ Keep reading ]
For Claudia McGinnis, her career in skincare started as a job, but quickly developed into passion. It started in 2008, when she started working at a dermatology clinic. She says that was where she fell in love with the industry. “What I love the most is connecting to our clients… [ Keep reading ]
Our core purpose is leading projects and making investments that open up access to economic opportunities, reduce the racial wealth gap, and encourage innovation and growth. One area where we focus is the real estate continuum, from pop-ups, to sustaining and growing existing businesses, to models for asset ownership. Our… [ Keep reading ]
We are thrilled to share the 2025 Tenant Improvement Program awardees! The TI Program invests in a business’s commercial space to help it stabilize and grow by purchasing essential equipment, completing electrical upgrades, or building out a new storefront. The program supports businesses citywide, emphasizing viable businesses who need support… [ Keep reading ]
When Jiaxin Wang and Chong Ooi moved to Seattle, they had all the right ingredients to open a ramen shop. There’s the knowledge that comes from growing up eating ramen all the time – for breakfast or for dinner – they know what makes a good bowl of ramen. Then… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle is taking significant steps to fill empty storefronts and support businesses looking for new commercial space. These changes aim to turn “For Lease” signs into “Grand Opening” banners across Seattle.
The City of Seattle is taking significant steps to fill empty storefronts and support businesses looking for new commercial space. A new law, CB 121047, is changing the City’s building code, specifically how “substantial alterations” are handled. This reduces the time, cost, and complexity for small businesses looking to open… [ Keep reading ]
