Seattle’s economy has long been defined by our resilience, ingenuity, and a spirit of shared progress. Over the past decade, we have enjoyed remarkable growth by expanding job opportunities across wage tiers, fostering groundbreaking innovation, and demonstrating that Seattle can compete and lead on a global stage. But this moment… [ Keep reading ]
Looking to start a new business, grow your existing one, or plan to close? We break down what you need to know and how to do it in our updated Small Business Handbook. The comprehensive guide brings together all the tools, programs, checklists, and free resources in one easy-to-navigate space. Our goal is to help small businesses get up and running… [ Keep reading ]
We are excited to share the 2026 Tenant Improvement Program awardees! Through this program we are investing nearly $1.3 million across 43 small businesses to help them stabilize and grow with new equipment and signage. Businesses include neighborhood favorites and community spaces that provide a variety of valued services across the city. We prioritize viable businesses at high risk of displacement, including BIPOC and women-owned… [ Keep reading ]
Christmas arrived a bit early in Seattle. A crew transformed one of the floors of the iconic Smith Tower in January and turned it into a set for the upcoming romantic comedy “Christmas Pop-Up.” The film, shot entirely in Seattle and permitted through our Film Program, follows an unlucky-in-love set decorator… [ Keep reading ]
I am a big believer that the only way you can make progress is in collaboration, by building meaningful connections. I was thrilled to be nominated to attend the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School last month, where I met with leaders from across the country so that… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle, WA – (July 14) Reuse Commons Lake City is a new community hub designed to expand reuse, repair, and sharing services while strengthening neighborhood vibrancy, supporting small businesses, and advancing Seattle’s environmental and economic goals. Located in the former Aurora Rents building, this 7,000‑square‑foot space brings together multiple reuse, repair, and share–focused organizations under… [ Keep reading ]
“If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s very true.” Tolga Seymen’s path to co-owning Nutty Squirrel Gelato with wife Alev began with an opportunity to learn about gelato in Rome and a desire to spend time… [ Keep reading ]
It’s June and the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is here! It took years of planning and preparation to get to this point, and my team in the Special Events Office was an integral part of that planning. As an avid soccer fan who’s been obsessed with World Cup for… [ Keep reading ]
We designed the Back to Business Program to help small business owners recover from unexpected costs to repair and prevent vandalism and property damage. To meet the needs of businesses, we expanded the program to increase the grant amounts business owners can receive. Applications are open through December 2026, or until… [ Keep reading ]
As interior designers, Sonia-Lynn Abenojar and Sergio Max Legon-Talmoni know what it takes to turn an idea into a reality. “Our role as designers is taking the big idea from the client, any inspiration they have from aesthetics to function, and putting them into drawing form so the City can… [ Keep reading ]
