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 ]
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 ]
Seattle’s small business and finance communities came together in September at Boon Boona Coffee on the Waterfront. They gathered to celebrate the progress made and to mark the next chapter of our Small Business Capital Access Program. This program is designed to remove barriers to financing and ensure that all… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle’s small businesses are the vibrant core of our neighborhoods and a crucial engine for our local economy. We are committed to listening to the needs of business owners and taking action to support them. Recent initiatives, announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell, demonstrate our dedication to cutting red tape, reducing… [ Keep reading ]
Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell released the 2026 Proposed Budget. In this budget, Mayor Harrell continues the investments and bold actions he began four years ago to address the needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell’s balanced budget proposal is focused on strengthening public safety, creating… [ Keep reading ]
Equitable access to affordable capital is a fundamental part of the work our office does to build an inclusive economy for all. As part of that effort, we are recruiting a new cohort of Capital Readiness service providers for 2025 – 2026 through the Request for Proposal process. Responses are… [ Keep reading ]
