Quick Links

• Starting a Business
• Create a Thriving Business District
• Mayor's Small Business Awards
• Workforce Development
• SODO Action Agenda
• Neighborhood Business Districts RFP
• Real Estate Financing
• Site Selection Assistance
• Seattle Rankings
• Newsletter Archive
• Mayor's Office of Film + Music

Sign Up For Our Newsletter Email:

Welcome to the Office of Economic Development. Our mission is to create a robust economy and broadly shared prosperity in Seattle. As advocates for industry, we provide core services for Seattle's businesses and organizations.
Contact us today for assistance.

Find out why Seattle thrives.

Loading...

Your City, Right Now

What's New at OED

Manufacturing Generates Steady Jobs, Revenue for Seattle

Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the findings of an economic impact study that shows the importance of manufacturing and industrial employment in Seattle’s economy.

Commissioned by the city’s Office of Economic Development, the Basic Industries economic impact study found that manufacturing jobs in Seattle grew by 10 percent from 2005 to 2008, adding nearly 8,300 positions, while the nation lost nearly 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs during the same time period.

“Seattle industrial businesses are resilient and diverse,” said City Councilmember Sally Clark. “These businesses are innovative, highly skilled and constantly adapting to meet the demands of an ever evolving economy.”

According to the survey, industrial businesses make up almost one fifth (18 percent) of Seattle’s total job base and are critical in maintaining a balanced local and regional economy.

The mayor’s Industrial Jobs Initiative, launched in August 2007, supports and encourages industrial and manufacturing businesses in Seattle. At the heart of the mayor’s initiative are land-use recommendations with the goal of maintaining existing businesses and jobs, while encouraging new industries.

Click here for the draft basic industries study.

June 29, 2009

Mayor Kicks Off 2009 Summer Jobs Program

Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that funds from the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative will help the city put 650 young people to work this summer, engaging them in positive and productive jobs. This summer’s employment program will significantly increase the number of participating youth, up from 492 last summer.

“One of the best ways to reduce youth violence is to show our young people new opportunities and a bright future. The city’s summer jobs program will give hundreds of young people new skills and help put them on the right path,” said Nickels.

The kickoff for the summer jobs program was held at the Environmental Outreach and Stewardship (EOS) Alliance in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. This summer, the EOS Alliance will employ 20 young people in various positions, including habitat restoration workers, home energy auditor trainees and office interns.

Click here to view the full press release.

June 24, 2009

Community Development Block Grant Funding for Small Business Lending - Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

The City of Seattle is making $1,440,000 available to community-based loan programs to provide small businesses in Seattle with access to credit during the current economic downturn. The City of Seattle seeks one or more organizations engaged in small business lending to deploy these funds. Responses are due by 5:00 pm, Thursday, July 2, 2009.

Contact Tina Vlasaty at 206-684-3348 or tina.vlasaty@seattle.gov for additional information or questions about the Request.

Click here to review the complete Request for Qualifications.

June 15, 2009

Seattle Ranked North America's #2 High-tech Center

In a new report by the Milken Institute, Seattle is ranked as North America's second most innovative and economically vibrant high-tech center. The study noted that cities with strong high-tech bases will perform best as the economy recovers because the jobs generated by these fields pay so well. The report is an update to the Institute’s 1999 publication, America's High-Tech Economy: Growth, Development and Risks for Metropolitan Areas, a groundbreaking study that was one of the first to show the importance of high-tech industry to regional economic growth.

Click here to go to the Milken Institute's website and download the entire report.

June 2, 2009

Mayor Announces Awards to Help 22 Neighborhood Business Districts City investments in Seattle neighborhoods help small businesses

Today Mayor Greg Nickels presented funding awards totaling $128,384 to 22 Neighborhood Business District Associations throughout Seattle to continue the city’s investments in building healthy communities and supporting our local economy.

“Our business districts are the economic engines that provide jobs and create the unique character in our neighborhoods across Seattle,” said Nickels, who presented the awards at a community event in Columbia City. “This is one more way the city continues to invest in our local business districts, joining neighborhood chambers and merchants associations to support Seattle’s small businesses.”

The Office of Economic Development (OED) received proposals totaling more than three times the amount of money available.

“The Office of Economic Development is a proud partner of our local neighborhood business districts citywide,” said Steve Johnson, acting director of the Office of Economic Development. “This money allows 22 of our business districts to strengthen their local business communities, from helping businesses save costs and decrease their carbon footprint, to supporting marketing efforts that bring more shoppers to the districts.”

Some examples of the projects funded include creation of new business organizations, tourism initiatives, business district promotion (branding, marketing campaigns, farmers market start-up), and physical improvement and enhancement projects (leaf clean up, curb bulb landscaping and banners).

Click here to read the full press release.

May 21, 2009