Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is working diligently to keep the Pioneer Square community informed regarding new resources and opportunities available to them. This roundup is part of a series of weekly messages capturing new resources and opportunities. Find each weekly email to date on our website.

*Please see this roundup's new resources and opportunities highlighted in RED*

What's Happening

• *NEW* In late November, the Seattle City Council passed the 2023-2023 city budget after a weeks long process to reconcile nearly 200 budget amendments to Mayor Harrell’s proposed budget due to several emergent forecasted revenue shortfalls and a projected operating deficit. On December 8th, Mayor Harrell added his signature to the budget package, causing it to go into effect. Key budget items include:
• $33 million from JumpStart each year in Economic Revitalization projects.
• $2.75 million in 2023 for small business development capital.
• $7 million in 2023 for commercial affordability
• $2.8 million in 2023 for downtown and neighborhood economic recovery.
• $2.3 million dedicated to activating City Hall Park in partnership with King County to take down the fence and create green space for local residents and businesses.
• Fully funds the Seattle Police officers recruitment and retention policy, did not cut any positions.

• On October 31st 2022, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the end of the Civil Emergency Proclamation, aligning with Governor Inslee’s decision to end the statewide state of emergency. As the COVID-19 State of Emergency comes to a close, the temporary commercial rent protections for small businesses and non-profit organizations established during the Civil Emergency ended on November 1st 2022. 

There is still, however, a 6 month grace period until April 30th 2023 where these protections will be maintained–giving businesses and nonprofits time to seek legal consultation and other supports. The Office of Economic Development is partnering with Communities Rise, to support business owners and nonprofits who may be impacted, through one-on-one legal consultation services and other resources to address their commercial lease needs. For more information on the ending of the civil emergency and the commercial legal supports available to small businesses and nonprofits, visit here.

Worker and Business Resources

• *NEW* Calling Seattle small business owners! The Seattle Office of Economic Development is investing in economic recovery funding to connect small businesses to operating capital. The Capital Access Program lowers the cost of Washington State Small Business Flex Fund loans for eligible small businesses by paying down 25% of the loan principal. The application deadline for the Washington State Small Business Flex Fund has been extended to February 2023. If your business has fewer than 50 employees and less than $3 million in annual revenue, you may be eligible for the Flex Fund flexible loan and our Capital Access Program. Find out more and fill out a simple Flex Fund pre-application by December 30, 2022.

• *NEW* The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Urban Impact are partnering to provide free business workshops for existing small businesses in King County that were negatively impacted due to COVID -19. Both workshops are free and on Zoom. All businesses registered can receive a free business coaching session. Use this link to register for the workshop that fits your business need. Here is a quick overview of the workshops:

• Navigating your Cash Flow is on Wednesday 12/14 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Business Model Canvas is on Wednesday 1/18 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• The Seattle Department of Transportation's (SDOT) ORCA Recovery Card Program has been extended to August 31, 2023! This means that cardholders can continue to use their ORCA Recovery cards to take transit at no cost. participants who have lost their card can request a replacement by emailing DOT_TAP@seattle.gov.

Those interested in the program are encouraged to apply on the SDOT website and online application portal. The applicant must work at a food service or grocery business in the CID, Pioneer Square, Othello, or Rainier Beach that has 5 or fewer locations in Seattle. Visit the program website for more eligibility requirements.

• Seattle Public Utilities recently updated their rules regarding temporary container, bag placement, removal at curbs/public alleys. This change in rules directly impacts those Pioneer Square businesses who engage in the Clear Alleys Program (CAP). The proposed changes to the rule include:
• Add cardboard-only dumpsters to the Clear Alleys Program container exceptions.
• Add several safety requirements for moving containers to staging locations.
• Add a requirement that containers in the public right of way in neighborhood business districts need to be lidded, locked, and the area kept clean. In business districts, clarify the time containers are allowed to be sitting in the right of way.

The public comment period for this change in rules is now closed. Questions may be sent via email to Sally.Hulsman@seattle.gov or call 206-684-4682.

• Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Small Business Flex Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access the financial support they need to thrive. Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 to spend flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.

The Flex Fund has already provided low-interest loans to nearly 700 small businesses and nonprofits. With just over $57 million in loans distributed to date, there is still almost $45 million in loans available for eligible small businesses and nonprofits. The deadline to apply for the Fund has now been extended through March 2023! If qualified, business owners will be matched with a community lender, who will assist the business owner throughout the application process and, if needed, connect them to additional advisory support. Learn more and apply here.

• The Alliance is sharing information regarding foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district this upcoming holiday season. To better inform business operations on game and event days, follow this link to the Lumen Field and Event Center, WAMU Theater and T-Mobile Park event calendar for November, December and January.

Partner Efforts

• *NEW* The Port of Seattle unveiled its preliminary cruise schedule for 2023, beginning April 15 and continuing until October 30. Demand for the Alaska itinerary originating in Seattle remains very high, indicating strong economic activity potential for the 2023 season. Preliminary forecasts call for 288 ship visits at Piers 66 and 91, and a estimated 1.4 million revenue passengers. While it is anticipated that the number of passengers per ship will vary by sailing, occupancy will continue to increase as the season progresses to an estimated average of 85%. This schedule may change as cruise lines refine itineraries.

• *NEW* Join the Downtown Seattle Association on Thursday, December 22 from 9-10 a.m. for a virtual, facilitated discussion with Sound Transit CEO Julie Tim, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz, and Seattle Department of Transportation Director Gregg Spotts. These individuals recently joined their respective agencies, and this forum will cover what brought them to Seattle, what their priorities are in their roles, and how they will execute on their work. RSVP here.

Other Neighborhood Updates

*NEW* The Alliance for Pioneer Square will be closed from Friday, December 23rd until Tuesday, January, 3 2023 at which time we will be back up and running. Please contact us at info@pioneersquare.org or 206-667-0687 for any emergencies. We would like to wish you, your people, and your loved ones a very happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

Additional Resources

• Save $5 with code PIONEERSQ on First Thursday Artwalk with Veo, one of Seattle's new bikeshare providers. Learn more about their class II e-bikes in Seattle here. Driving to Pioneer Square? Check out mobile-friendly DowntownSeattleParking.com for parking locations throughout the neighborhood. 

• Each Friday, we give neighborhood businesses and organizations the opportunity to share a series of photo and video content to the Alliance for Pioneer Square’s social media channels via stories, feed posts and live video updates, for the entire day. Fill out the Google Form to get started with the process or email us at info@pioneersquare.org if you have any questions.

• The Pioneer Square Business Owners & Managers Facebook group is an opportunity for business owners and retailers to participate in an online forum and share resources, support and stories. We invite you to join the group and connect with other neighborhood businesses. Click here to join the Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page.

Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.