The Chinatown-International District will receive a lion’s share of a $2 million investment in 18 neighborhood business districts, announced Mayor Ed Murray on April 1, as part of the Only in Seattle Initiative.
“This investment in neighborhood business districts is critical to our city,” said the mayor. “Healthy business districts equate to thriving businesses, stable jobs, and overall success for our city.”
According to the mayor’s office, small businesses employ 72 percent of Seattle’s workforce and contribute 35 percent of the city’s business tax revenues, totaling $55.4 million.
Local neighborhood business districts serve as the location and incubators for many of the city’s small businesses.
“The Only in Seattle Initiative is a great complement to the city’s neighborhood planning efforts that have happened throughout the years,” said Seattle City Councilmember Sally J. Clark, chair of the Committee on Housing Affordability, Human Services, and Economic Resiliency.
The Office of Economic Development’s (OED) Only in Seattle Initiative focuses on business and retail development, marketing and promotion, graffiti removal, safe alleys, streetscape, and more.
The International District will receive $580,000. Nearly $1.5 million will be spread out among districts in Ballard, Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Rainier Valley, the University District, Belltown, the Central District, First Hill, Georgetown, Lake City, South Park, Columbia City, Fremont, Roosevelt, Pioneer Square, and the Pike/Pine corridor downtown. (end)