Seattle Office of Economic Development

The Liberty Project: New Small Business Growth Program Accepting Applications - Office of the Mayor New initiative aims to increase revenues for businesses owned by underrepresented communities in Seattle – particularly Black-owned businesses. Seattle – Seattle small businesses can now apply for the Liberty Project — a new innovative business growth program launched by Mayor Harrell, the Co...

Don't miss out on the last Black Tech Night of the year! 🎉

Join us on Tuesday, December 5, for a fireside chat with F5 CEO François Locoh-Donou and People Magazine's Janine Rubenstein, plus drinks, snacks, and plenty of networking opportunities. 🔥

See you there!

🎟 Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tech-night-with-f5-ceo-francois-locoh-donou-tickets-755894449647 (link in bio)

This event is 21+. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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This event is hosted in collaboration with F5 Appreciates Blackness, Seattle Office of Economic Development, and SeaCiti.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Ada Developers Academy, a local tech non-profit offering free coding school for women and gender-expansive adults, primarily serving Black, Latine, Indigenous Americans, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income individuals.

Don't miss out on the last Black Tech Night of the year! 🎉

Join us on Tuesday, December 5, for a fireside chat with F5 CEO François Locoh-Donou and People Magazine's Janine Rubenstein, plus drinks, snacks, and plenty of networking opportunities. 🔥

See you there!

🎟 Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-tech-night-with-f5-ceo-francois-locoh-donou-tickets-755894449647

This event is 21+. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

----
This event is hosted in collaboration with F5 Appreciates Blackness, Seattle Office of Economic Development, and SeaCiti.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to Ada Developers Academy, a local tech non-profit offering free coding school for women and gender-expansive adults, primarily serving Black, Latine, Indigenous Americans, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income individuals.

Black Tech Night with F5 CEO, François Locoh-Donou An intentional conversation with F5's CEO, François Locoh-Donou

Small businesses reflect our city's rich diversity, uniqueness, and creativity. This holiday season, show your support by shopping local and experience the magic of Downtown retail like never before!

Together, we can help small businesses succeed and grow Downtown by sharing the love with our communities! 🎁🛍️

Visit downtownisyou.com to learn about the Downtown Activation Plan and to share your feedback.

The Pioneer Square Holiday Market returns! 🎉 Head Downtown on December 8-9 for some festive fun!

It's the perfect opportunity to explore 40+ vendors, shop sustainability, enjoy live entertainment, and take a twirl around the free public skating rink (free skate rentals included). ⛸❄

Don't miss out on this merry event! 🎁🛍🎵

For more information, visit https://www.pioneersquare.org/experiences/holidays2023

🗣 Attention small businesses and nonprofits!

Funds are still available for the Storefront Repair Fund! 🎉

We updated the eligibility requirements to include more small businesses and now nonprofit organizations! In addition, we expanded covered property damage to include fences, gates, and signs.

Business owners can apply for up to two (2) $2,000 grants for separate incidents to help cover costs to repair current property damage or reimburse business owners for expenses paid out of pocket for past damage.

For additional information and how to apply, visit https://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/small-business/small-business-programs/storefront-repair-fund.

Let's kick off November with some epic musical vibes! 🎶

Cloudbreak starts now with an incredible lineup of performers and venues. Enjoy 100+ artists, 70+ shows, and 30+ venues for the ultimate music-filled experience.

Visit cloudbreakmusicfest.org for the full details!

Here's a treat: a free guide with tricks to help you start and grow your business! https://www.sba.gov/business-guide

🎃

City of Seattle offers new funding options to battle rising commercial rent - International Examiner It’s no secret that Seattle, like many other major metropolitan areas in the country, is becoming less and less affordable to live and work. For small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to launch their ventures, this reality can be especially tough if they are looking to move into a brick a...

Eat at the Peak this season during Seattle Restaurant Week, from Oct. 22 – Nov 4. Support local restaurants, pop-ups, food trucks, and more! 🍴😋

See who’s participating at srweek.org.

We are proud to be a Seattle Restaurant Week sponsor, celebrating our city’s diverse and innovative culinary community.

OED is hiring! 🎉 We're looking for three additions to our team - a Business District Advocate, a Special Events Program Manager, and a Division Director!

⭐ Business District Advocate: You will have an opportunity to advocate for new Business Improvement Areas, help shape program policies and procedures, and create new approaches toward our goal of an inclusive economy that works for all.

⭐ Special Events Program Manager: You will oversee program management of special events permit coordination and lead strategic coordination of major event permits. You will also chair the Special Events Committee, which includes 21 agencies and representatives.

⭐ Division Director: You will provide strategic direction and development to the department’s key programs, oversee the department’s operations and budgeting process, and provide leadership to Small Business and Key Industries and Workforce Development teams.

Help shape the future of a vibrant and inclusive economy that works for all!

Business District Advocate Listing:
📅 Applications are due on Tuesday, October 24 at 4 p.m. ⬇
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4227035/business-district-advocate

Special Events Program Manager Listing:
📅 Applications are due on Tuesday, October 24 at 4 p.m. ⬇
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4231370/special-events-program-manager

Division Director:
📅 Applications are due on Tuesday, November 7 at 4 p.m. ⬇
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4245435/division-director-office-of-economic-development

Downtown Activation Plan: Mayor Harrell Signs into Law Early Legislative Priorities - Office of the Mayor New legislative actions deliver on the seven bold goals identified in the mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan, to transform Downtown into a top destination for Seattleites and visitors year-round. Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell joined community leaders to celebrate and sign a slate of newly a...

Downtown is Listening! 🏙

Join the conversation about building the Downtown we want to see! Voice your opinions, ideas, and concerns to help City departments create a thriving and enjoyable place to live, work, and visit. 🗣

Your input was key in informing the plan, but it doesn’t end here – let’s keep the momentum going into the next phase of implementation! 🎉

Share your thoughts and ideas on our online feedback form, or join us for one of our listening sessions, focus groups, or office hours. Together, let's build a vibrant Downtown Seattle! 🤝

Visit https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2023/10/10/downtown-is-listening-engagement-opportunities/ to learn more and continue to join the conversation!

With the passage of the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area legislation, the City made a major step forward in making Downtown Seattle an even more exciting destination for Seattleites and visitors year-round! 🎉

We are bringing a new 15-year Business Improvement Area to increase travel and tourism promotion for the city. 🏙

"This gives Visit Seattle more options to market our region and draw visitors from around the globe to experience our great city.” – Markham McIntyre, OED director. 🚢

This legislation is part of Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan. For more information on the plan and to share your feedback, visit downtownisyou.com.

Join us to celebrate small business community champions at the Intentionalist Awards! 🎉

📅: Wednesday, October 11
⏰: 5:30 p.m.
📍: The Seattle Central Library (1000 4th Ave)
🎟️: Tickets are FREE via https://bit.ly/IntentionalistAwards

The Intentionalist Awards will be hosted by Doug Baldwin Jr. with emcee Angela Poe Russell and are presented by BECU with support from the Seattle Office of Economic Development, VLACK MEDIA, and The Seattle Public Library

Cloudbreak is Back!

Seattle's Citywide Live Music Festival returns for a second year and we are proud to be a partner with Visit Seattle and King County Creative in this year's edition.

We are excited to present to you this year's Cloudbreak lineup!
Visit https://cloudbreakmusicfest.org/ for the latest lineup and for more details.

Cloudbreak – Seattle's Citywide Live Music Fest Experience Seattle’s live music scene this November with Mudhoney, Jenn Champion, Rocky Votolato, Enumclaw, and more! See your favorite bands, and learn how downtown Seattle hotel guests can get free access to the shows.

Yesterday, Mayor Harrell released the 2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments. This budget reflects Mayor’s continued commitment to and investment in bold actions that address the urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities.

For us, the Mayor’s proposed budget reflects the continued alignment of our programs with the community-driven Future of Seattle Economy investment agenda, and builds upon the strong foundation that the department established in this year's adopted budget.

For more information on OED's key changes, read the Mayor's proposed budget here:

Mayor Harrell Announces Proposed Budget Adjustments - Bottom Line Mayor Harrel’s proposed 2024 budget reflects the community-driven Future of Seattle Economy investment agenda. The FSE investment agenda serves as the foundation of OED’s work, providing a framework to address the impacts of COVID-19, while also creating an economically diverse, just, and resili...

PNW Climate Week is next week! 💚

Join us on September 27 to learn more about the founding and funding stages of climate startups with panelists from Seattle OED, investors, and startups.

PNW Climate Week is a community-powered event series that unites climate innovators, thought leaders, and enthusiasts. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest, renowned as a global hub of climate innovations.

Learn more and get your ticket today! ⬇

Climate Startup Founding and Funding Panel · Luma Come join us to learn more about the founding and funding stages of climate startups, with panelists: Vincent - Green economy advisor at Seattle City Government. In his role, he focused on...

📣 Calling all clean energy industry professionals, government, and non-profit leaders!

Join us for the first-of-its-kind Green Jobs Talent Jam, as part of the Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit 2023! 🌱💚

This event connects industry professionals, non-profit, and government clean energy leaders to BIPOC and women-owned contractors, local businesses, and job seekers invested in the clean energy sector.

The Green Jobs Talent Jam will provide a creative and fun space for contractors, companies, and job seekers to showcase their unique talents or talent requirements to you through live, open-mic pitches. As an attendee, you will also hear directly from local businesses and job seekers about the skills they seek in the local labor market, contractor businesses' challenges, and how you may be able to help them succeed.

Learn more and to RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/green-jobs-talent-jam-tickets-704644299067

A Pickleball Festival and Permanent New Courts Are Coming to Downtown Seattle Everyone's playing pickleball, from the mayor to KEXP's John Richards. This weekend, the sport takes over downtown.

The minute crews finished work for the Pickleball For All event this weekend, people hopped in to start playing.

This event activates the 5th Ave and Taylor Ave "triangle" space with ten pickleball courts, live music, a beer garden (21+), food trucks, presentations, pickleball lessons, and more.

While registration is full for the courts, we still encourage you to visit this new street space on September 16th and 17th. The event goes from 9 AM to 7 PM on Saturday and 9 AM to 3 PM on Sunday.

We'd like to thank Seattle Parks Foundation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Seattle Metro Pickleball Association for their help with this event - we're looking forward to more exciting events on the streets to come.

Industry Highlight: Dive into Seattle’s Maritime Industry - Bottom Line The Maritime Industry in Seattle is the nation’s fourth largest container gateway and one of Seattle’s key industries. Maritime is vital for global trade and economic growth – in Washington state alone, it is responsible for creating $21.4 billion in annual revenue, employing more than 69,500 ...

Thanks for a great weekend! See you this weekend for pickleball!

Register today! bit.ly/3qWcgIr

"I am so pumped that we will be closing streets to invite Seattleites to play pickleball and basketball as part of the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan. These are the kind of events that showcase our city’s soul – active, creative, and inclusive." - Markham McIntyre, Seattle OED director

City of Seattle to Host Basketball and Pickleball Tournaments Downtown, Reenergizing Public Space at Taylor and 5th Ave - Office of the Mayor Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan brings excitement and people downtown to basketball tournament this weekend and pickleball tournament next weekend, launches new pickleball court at the Taylor & 5th Ave Plaza   Seattle – Bringing people, sports, and excitement Downtown this weekend an...

It's time to get your game face on! Join us Downtown for two epic tournaments and action-packed battles on the court! 🎉

🏀 Seattle Slam Showdown Youth Basketball Tournament on September 9-10.

Free 3x3 basketball tournament for youth ages 8-13. You'll get a free T-shirt, food, water, and a special prize for the game winners! Stop by and meet some of our NW basketball legends too. ⛹️

🔗 https://parkways.seattle.gov/2023/08/28/seattle-slam-showdown-free-youth-basketball-tournament

🌟 Pickleball for All on September 16-17.

Join the fastest growing sport at our drop-in courts all weekend long! Free paddles, pickleballs, and coaching available for all ages and skill levels. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and come ready to have some fun! 🎉

These tournaments are part of Mayor Bruce Harrell's Downtown Activation Plan to bring more vibrant public spaces Downtown and celebrate Seattle’s sports.

🔗 https://parkways.seattle.gov/2023/08/29/pickleball-for-all-september-16-17

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Visit downtownisyou.com for more information.