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* Beginning on January 1st, the Seattle minimum wage increased to $18.69 per hours F=for small employers (500 or fewer employees). If the employer pays $2.19 per hour toward medical benefits and/or the employee earns $2.19/hour in tips, the minimum wage is $16.50 per hour. Learn more here.

• *NEW* Seattle has been selected to host the 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park. The Seattle Kraken, who are hosting the Vegas Golden Knights, will play on Monday, January 1, 2024. The game will be the first outdoor contest for the Kraken who began play during the 2021-22 season. Sign up for 2024 NHL Winter Classic updates here.

• *NEW* Due to damage following the ice storm in late 2022, the Spokane St. Swing Bridge will remain closed for at least two weeks while SDOT works to repair a variety of mechanical issues. SDOT has created a series of temporary bike lanes as well as a suggested walking route to compensate for the lack of pedestrian and bicycle access to West Seattle due to the bridge closure. Learn more about the closure and alternative routes here.

• *NEW* In February 2023, Sound Transit (ST) staff will present to the ST Board on what they have learned during the West Seattle Ballard Link Extension (WSBLE) community engagement process and the information obtained from further analysis of the preferred station alternatives, after which they may take action to identify which location to proceed with. There is interest from a variety of stakeholder groups and coalitions as to where the CID preferred station alternative is. The Alliance for Pioneer Square continues to advocate for 4th Ave. option as the best and most viable option for the project. The Alliance seeks community support in our ongoing advocacy to ST's WSBLE project. We have drafted a letter outlining our position on why ST should select 4th Ave. between S. Weller and S. King Street as the preferred station alternative and are seeking signatures from community members. Thank you in advance for your engagement as we work to ensure Pioneer Square is well served by this legacy project. View the letter and sign on here.

Worker and Business Resources

• *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. All 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 upcoming workshops: Business Model Canvas is on Wednesday 1/18 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

• *NEW* The LendingTree Foundation has opened their Community Impact Grant screening form for 2023. The grant is available for nonprofits who: have been a 501c3 for more than two years, have an annual budget less than $1M, have less than three paid employees, and provide programs/services that meet at least two of the LendingTree Foundation pillars. The LendingTree Foundation Community Impact grant screening form can be found here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to philanthropy@lendingtree.com.

• *NEW* 4Culture recently announced their 2023 grantmaking schedule which includes funding opportunities for artists, arts-based projects, and arts landmarks preservation. The full list of 4Culture's grant programs can be found here.

• 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.

• 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* SDOT has launched the second phase of outreach on the Seattle Transportation Plan (STP). They've heard your vision for the future of transportation. Now they need your help to turn those ideas into actions! The STP is SDOT's commitment to building a transportation system that provides everyone with access to safe, efficient, and affordable options to reach places and opportunities. SDOT need your help to create this plan. Visit this interactive map to share your thoughts on Seattle's streets, sidewalks, and shared spaces. Share your feedback here by February 21, 2023.

• *NEW* Join the Seattle Metro Chamber after hours at Filson's flagship store on Wednesday, February 22 for an evening of networking, sipping, and snacking, and maybe even a little shopping. You won't want to miss out on the 20% discount on merchandise at the event. RSVP here.

• *NEW* Have a question for Washington State Ferries? Riders and other community members are encouraged to attend upcoming virtual community meetings designed to provide updates about the ferry system.  At 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, WSF staff will discuss the ferry system's service restoration progress, ongoing efforts to address workforce challenges as well as updates on key projects. WSF Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello will lead the meetings in coordination with the Ferry Advisory Committees, appointed representatives of ferry-served communities who advise WSF. Both events will cover the same material and are designed to give participants the option to join the Zoom meeting that best fits their schedule. Meeting participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. RSVP here.

Other Neighborhood Updates

• *NEW* After nearly one year of advocacy by a coalition of parks and public space advocates led by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, City Hall Park will remain a City of Seattle park and will receive $2.3 million in the city's 2023-2024 budget. This year, Seattle Parks and Recreation will collaborate with King County and relevant community organizations to develop and implement an interim activation plan, with a goal of ensuring that the park is safe and accessible for all. With a interim activation plan in place, Seattle Parks and Recreation will continue discussions with community stakeholders to determine a long-term plan for City Hall Park. City Hall Park capital costs for 2023/204 include an overall park design and the construction of a concierge area, wayfinding support, and if feasible, a public restroom, and associated safety infrastructure.

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.