Investing in local communities helps the Port of Seattle create shared economic opportunity, strengthen trust, and support the people and neighborhoods most affected by port-related activities. These investments build a more resilient region, ensure long-term success for the Port and neighbors, and advance equity, sustainability, and prosperity for all.
Community
Duwamish Valley Community Equity Program
The Port of Seattle has a long-term commitment to equitable investment and engagement in the Duwamish Valley through the adoption of the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Commitment (CBC), the first environmental justice policy at a Port. The program harnesses the Port’s economic development mission to promote community partnerships, healthy environments and communities, and economic prosperity for near-port impacted communities.
Duwamish River Community Hub
The Duwamish River Community Hub is a place-based economic development resource center in the Duwamish Valley. This community asset is managed by the Port of Seattle in partnership with the Duwamish Valley Port Community Action Team (PCAT) to fulfil the Duwamish Valley Community Benefits Commitment. All proposed uses for the Hub must align with Port-related career pathways, environment and sustainability initiatives and/or economic and small business development.
Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial
A place of reverence, reflection and healing for people in the fishing industry and their families, Fishermen's Memorial is a central feature at Fishermen's Terminal in Ballard. The magnificent bronze and stone sculpture include plaques inscribed with the names of more than 500 local commercial fishermen and women who have been lost at sea since the beginning of the 20th century. Each year on the first Sunday of May, a service is held to honor all of those who have died pursuing their livelihood and to place additional names on the plaques. An Educational Scholarship Fund is available for the family and other dependents of people whose names are on the memorial.
Trade/Business and Community Development (TBCD)
As a special port district, the Port has stricter spending parameters than other municipalities like cities and counties. However, the Port can make certain limited types of promotional expenditures to the extent they are specifically authorized for port districts under the laws of the State of WA. TBCD funds can be issued for limited purposes that promote trade or tourism in the region; inform or educate the public about the Port of Seattle; or that are intended to advertise, promote, or increase awareness of Port facilities, programs or services. For more information, email [email protected].
Disadvantaged and Small Business
Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Businesses
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), we are committed to creating an elevated travel experience that reflects the spirit of the Pacific Northwest, which strives for inclusion. Our mission is to provide more opportunities for small, local, and disadvantaged businesses to ensure that the face of the airport reflects the diversity of our community.
Diversity in Contracting
Diversity in Contracting Program works to level the playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses who are impacted by disparities that have been institutionalized in Port practices and policies. Diversity in Contracting is committed to achieving the following goals by the end of 2029: A) Increase the amount of spend on WMBE contracts to 16%; B) Increase the number of WMBE firms doing business with the Port to 500.
Economic and Workforce Development
Economic Development City Partnership Program
Since the program's inception in 2016, the Port has awarded $5.7 million in program funding cities in King County. With matching contributions by cities, the program has generated more than $9.5 million in economic development investments across King County in the last 8 years. Only city governments in King County, with populations of less than 200,000 people are eligible to apply for the Economic Development City Partnership Grant Program.
High School Internship Program
The Port of Seattle has continued to increase investment in paid high school opportunities. This success stems from our dedication to continuous process improvement, strategic partnerships, direct outreach, and expanded part-time school year opportunities. Furthermore, we've adopted research-based best practices to enrich our programs with career awareness events, networking workshops, team development, project management opportunities, and a strong equity focus.
Post-Secondary Internship Program
The Port offers unique paid post-secondary internship opportunities throughout the year designed to recruit specifically from post-secondary partnerships with universities/colleges, technical schools and certificate programs. These internships allow students to work in a field aligned with their education and career goals.
Port Jobs
The Workforce Development Program manages the Port’s contract with Port Jobs, under which they provide a range of high-quality workforce development services focused on the airport, transportation, logistics, construction, and other port-related industries. The Airport Jobs office serves as a centralized airport employment hub where they connect community members looking for work and airport tenants and related employers who need qualified candidates. They also offer job skills and college credit classes on-site at the airport through Airport University, helping workers advance and businesses be more productive.
South King and Port Communities Fund — Economic Opportunities for Communities
The goal of the Economic Opportunities for Communities Program (EOC) is to increase access and visibility of living wage jobs and careers in port-related industries for underrepresented communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and surrounding Port communities. To do this, the Port of Seattle contracts with community-based organizations that implement career-prep programs focused on awareness, exploration, preparation, and training opportunities.
Veteran Fellowship Program
Every six months, the Port hires a small cohort of recently separated or retired veterans. During the six-month paid fellowship, veterans will be exposed to the civilian work environment and to corporate business practices. Veteran fellows partner with a mentor and workgroup to help guide them in developing their career goals. They will receive assistance to identify transferable skills, work on their resume, and improve interviewing techniques.
Workforce Development Program
The Workforce Development (WFD) program builds external partnerships with community-based organizations and industry employers to support equitable access to well-paying, port-related careers in maritime, construction, aviation, and green jobs. By partnering with local organizations, WFD creates pathways to employment in quality, family-wage careers. WFD programs focus on supporting structurally excluded communities who have been disproportionately impacted by particularly communities of color, immigrants and refugees, youth, and women.
Equity
Measuring Port Investments in Equity
With the goal of measuring the impact of our community investments, the Port created a way to track and quantify its “equity spending.” This tool shows both employees and communities what we’re doing to create fairness, inclusion, and belonging. In a very tangible way, this tool is helping the Port be more transparent and accountable. In short, we’re putting our money where our mouth is.
Environment and Sustainability
Parks and Public Access
The Port of Seattle has more than 44 acres of parks and public access sites that include scenic bike and pedestrian trails, picnic areas, habitat restoration areas, fishing piers, and shoreline access. Several of our parks act as great places to enjoy the outdoors while watching ship movements and other maritime related activities. The parks are located along the Lower Duwamish Waterway and the Elliott Bay Waterfront.
SEA Sound Insulation Program
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) offers one of the most comprehensive aircraft noise reduction programs in the nation. SEA’s Noise Programs office works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airlines and the local communities to monitor existing noise programs and develop new ways of reducing airport and aircraft noise.
South King and Port Communities Fund — Environmental Improvements Program
The Environmental Improvements Program supports projects to improve the environment in near-airport communities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila, and extending to other near-port communities in the Duwamish Valley, Beacon Hill, and Rainier Valley. Community-led groups are invited to apply for activities such as park or playground updates, public art or equipment installations, tree planting and forest restoration, and neighborhood cleanups and stewardship.
Tourism
SEA Spotlight Ad Program
The Port of Seattle’s Tourism Development team is evolving the long-running SEA Spotlight Ad Program into a Port-led Responsible Travel Campaign at SEA, launching in early 2026. This new initiative will enhance efficiency, support the Port’s sustainability and equity goals, and deliver greater value to our regional tourism network.
Tourism Marketing Support Program
The Tourism Marketing Support Program (TMSP) offers participants up to $20k in Port funds (at a 2:1 match) for projects that help drive out-of-state visitation with a special focus on responsible, inclusive and eco-conscious travel. Cities, counties, destination marketing organizations, ports, chambers of commerce, tribal organizations, and non-profits within Washington State are encouraged to apply.
