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Help OED update our Creative Economy research

Seattle’s creative industry—including the arts, film, and music—is part of what makes our region unique. The industry includes more than 60 different occupations that represent 250,000 jobs in the metro area. To help us better understand how this industry has grown and changed in the last five years, we’re updating… [ Keep reading ]

Black History Month 2024: Supporting and growing Black-owned businesses

Seattle has a rich and deep history of Black and African-American communities and businesses. We’re proud to celebrate that history and highlight events in the community. You can learn about more events from the Department of Neighborhoods 2024 Guide to Black History Month Events in Seattle. In addition to supporting… [ Keep reading ]

Celebrating 10 years of the SODO BIA

Getting its name for being “south of the dome,” the SODO district went from filled-in tidal flats to the industrial heart of Seattle. Today, SODO is a vibrant and diverse business district. For the last ten years, the SODO Business Improvement Area (BIA) has worked hard to support the neighborhood’s… [ Keep reading ]

Lots of Love for Seattle Restored and Downtown Revitalization with $200,000 Investment by JPMorgan Chase

The Palengke presents Valentine’s Night Market, FREE Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, 4-8 p.m., Seattle Restored Downtown JPMorgan Chase announced a $200,000 investment in the innovative retail program Seattle Restored. The funding will go directly to Seattle Good Business Network and be focused primarily on deepening support for long-term leases and… [ Keep reading ]

Investing in our community: the Tenant Improvement Fund 

Pilot program provides $3.4M to local businesses, including 33 BIPOC-owned businesses, for commercial space improvements In 2022 and 2023, the Seattle Office of Economic Development piloted a new program aimed at addressing displacement and building community wealth: the Tenant Improvement (TI) Fund. Through OED, the City invested $3.4M in 34… [ Keep reading ]

Tenant Improvement Fund Recipients and Projects 2022-23 

The Office of Economic Development’s Tenant Improvement Program invests in a business’ infrastructure to support their growth and sustainability. The program makes initial tenancy costs more affordable for small businesses or lowers the cost to renovate and/or upgrade their commercial space. The program provides professional services such as space planning… [ Keep reading ]

The Liberty Project Launches with First Business Cohort

The Liberty Project is a new innovative business growth project that is working to increase revenues for businesses owned by people from underrepresented communities in Seattle – particularly Black-owned businesses.   More than 45 businesses applied to participate in this collaboration between the City of Seattle, Tabor 100, the Consulting and Business… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Office of Economic Development and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture Hosting Creative Economy Career Day

Free, one-day program for young people will take place February 9 at McCaw Hall The Seattle Office of Economic Development and Office of Arts and Culture are hosting the inaugural Creative Economy Career Day. The free, one-day education program will take place Friday, February 9 at McCaw Hall, 9 a.m…. [ Keep reading ]

Diem Ly joins the Seattle Office of Economic Development 

New OED Division Director brings deep experience in community impact and program strategy The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) welcomes Diem Ly as the new Division Director. Ly comes to OED from Comcast NBCUniversal where she served as the Director of Community Impact and External Affairs for the Pacific… [ Keep reading ]

2023 at Seattle’s Office of Economic Development

2023 was a transformative year for us at the Office of Economic Development. We built on feedback from the community to create action plans, impactful programs, and forward-thinking policies aligned with our overarching goal: to champion inclusive economic growth so that everyone in Seattle can enjoy quality jobs at thriving… [ Keep reading ]