Stay tuned for the next funding opportunity coming in 2026!
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 the 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. Learn more about the EOC Program model.
Growing Economic Opportunity
In 2020, the Economic Recovery Program was established to support communities recovering from the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, through community listening sessions, partner feedback, and utilization of the Equity Index, the SKPCF Economic Recovery Program evolved into the Economic Opportunities for Communities Program, focusing on advancing economic opportunity instead of recovery.
Wages in jobs and careers in Port-related industries exceed regional averages across other occupation categories. EOC creates access and pathways for communities furthest from opportunities to improve their socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status (SES), a combination of education, income, and occupation, encompasses quality of life traits, including the opportunities and privileges afforded to people within society.
With ties to all of Washington’s key economic sectors and connections to more than 500 employers operating at its facilities, the Port is uniquely positioned to create pathways to family-wage careers that benefit communities most impacted by Port operations. The EOC’s community-led career-prep programs help participants acquire the exposure, skills, experience, and training needed to secure increasingly complex and family-wage jobs in these industries.
Equity Index
The Port's Equity Index is an online interactive map, displaying a visual representation of social and environmental disparities in King County. Neighborhoods with a low-equity index score have the greatest disparities. The Equity Index is used to identify the eligible geographic region. See the eligible geographic region for SKPCF.
