2025-2026 Economic Development City Partnership Program
Background
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 the last 8 years.
2025-2026 Funding Cycle Now Open
Cities have until Friday, September 26, 2025 to submit their applications to request 2025-2026 funding.
Who is eligible to apply?
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.
Funding Calculation and Required Match
Based on a per-capita calculation, King County cities may each receive between $10,000 and $60,000 based on the city’s population.
Population estimates are determined by the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The Port uses the most recent population estimates at the start of the grant cycle.
Cities with populations less than 10,000 people are eligible to apply for funding up to $10,000, and cities with populations more than 60,000 people are eligible to apply for funding up to $60,000.
Requested funds require a 50 percent match of city dollars or in-kind resources. In-kind resources can only be used for up to 25 percent of the grant award amount. In order to encourage smaller cities to participate in this program, cities requesting $10,000 can rely on in-kind resources for their match.
Eligible Projects
Port of Seattle funds must be used to support projects that tie to the Port of Seattle’s business interests.
Eligible initiatives include projects that support Port related industries such as aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green jobs and/or encourage utilization of the Port’s facilities such as SEA Airport, cruise terminals, and cargo terminals.
Projects that may be eligible for funding include:
• Business Attraction
• Business Retention/Expansion
• Buy Local/Placemaking
• Export/Trade Assistance and Promotion
• Small Business Technical Assistance
• Tourism
• Workforce Development
• Some planning and feasibility studies
Ineligible Projects
• Signage and wayfinding projects (cities can use investments in signage/wayfinding towards their matching fund requirements)
• Direct cash grants or loans made to businesses or organizations
• Capital projects including projects to construct either new facilities or make significant, long-term improvements to existing facilities
• Capital expenses associated with an event or program already in progress with no significant changes from previous year.
• Any project that would violate federal, state, or local laws
• Any project that would fall outside of the authorized activities that Ports can fund or engage in
The Port of Seattle recommends applicant cities meet with Port of Seattle staff before submitting the Economic Development Partnership Program applications.
Please contact Annie Tran, the Port’s Economic Development Manager at [email protected] with any questions.
