2022: Our Third SKCCIF Economic Recovery Program Cycle
The Port is now accepting proposals for the third South King County Community Impact Fund Economic Recovery Program cycle. The Economic Recovery Program provides resources and support to communities that are furthest from opportunity with the goal of developing the next generation of workers in Port-related industries. The Port awards contracts to organizations serving communities most deeply impacted by the current economic crisis for projects connected to Port-related industries, including aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries.
Community-led projects, which are not required to be 501(c)(3) organizations, help participants acquire the skills, experience, and education they need to secure increasingly complex and living wage jobs at the Port and in port-related industries.
Organizations may apply for single or multi-year funding, ranging up to $100,000 for a single year and up to $250,000 for multiyear funding. A total of up to $2.5 million will be available this cycle for projects that benefit south King County communities. Multiyear grants allow community groups to invest in long-term planning and implementation, increase the impact of the Port’s community investments, and support sustainable project planning and implementation.
How To Apply
Step 1: Eligibility Determination
- The Project Eligibility Determination document will be uploaded to VendorConnect on September 15, 2022.
- Responses to the solicitation should address the three criteria questions in a maximum of two pages. Visit VendorConnect to access instructions and relevant documents.
- Responses must be emailed to e-submittals-sa@portseattle.org by October 20th, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
- Technical assistance and process support will be available during the below times. When you set up an account in VendorConnect you will gain access to the Microsoft Teams/call-in information for each of these sessions.
- Tuesday, September 20 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 27 from 1 - 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 4 from 1- 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 11 from 1 - 2 p.m.
- Monday, October 17 from 1 - 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 19 from 10 - 11 a.m.
Step 2: Proposal Submission
- If your project is deemed eligible (Step 1), you will be invited to submit a proposal.
- All required documents must be emailed to e-submittals-sa@portseattle.org by December 19, 2022.
Questions
All questions must be submitted through VendorConnect. You must register as a Plan Holder at VendorConnect to ask questions and receive ongoing updates. Register by going to the South King County Community Impact Fund Solicitation Overview page in VendorConnect. For detailed instructions about registering, read the VendorConnect External User Guide. You also may view our SKCCIF Economic Recovery FAQs for further clarification about fund requirements.
Economic Recovery Funding
In response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community, the Port of Seattle Commission added economic development as an additional focus for the South King County Community Impact Fund. This fund is part of a larger effort by the Port to lead an equitable recovery to create jobs, increase equity, retain small businesses, and improve the environment. With ties to all of Washington’s key economic sectors and connections to more than 500 employers operating at our facilities, the Port stands uniquely positioned to help lead the regional recovery.
This program supports communities most deeply impacted by the current economic crisis through projects connected to Port-related industries, including aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries. The Port has pledged $10 million dollars in funding between 2020 and 2024.
Fund Details
- $2.5 million is available in this cycle.
- Proposers may apply for single or multi-year funding, ranging up to $100,000 for a single year and up to $250,000 for multiyear funding. The Fund invites proposals for projects with outcomes related to workforce development, job creation programs, or economic recovery solutions in Port-related industries.
- Projects must also serve those who are economically vulnerable and face great challenges, including people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, English Language Learners, veterans, seniors, youth, and/or people with disabilities.
- Community organizations, chambers of commerce, and non-profit organizations working in these program areas are eligible to apply. A change to note in this funding cycle is that respondents are not required to be 501(c)(3) organizations to be eligible for funding.
Our Twelve Approved Projects for Cycle 2
African Community Housing & Development supports the African Diaspora immigrant communities in South King County with a pilot program to provide education and job application assistance in technical Port-related industries such as construction and aviation.
Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) serves human trafficking survivors and at-risk youth living in the near-airport communities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila. This project furthers economic recovery in South King County by delivering employment readiness training, supporting employers in Port-related industries, and creating paid internships and job opportunities for human trafficking survivors and at-risk youth in Port-related industries.
CARES of Washington supports people with disabilities and low incomes to realize their purpose, potential, and strength. The Connect for Success project supports BIPOC communities living around Port of Seattle’s facilities to enter and successfully complete pre-apprenticeship programs in Port-related industries such as construction, green industries, manufacturing, and aerospace.
El Centro de la Raza provides outreach, education, and referrals for Latinos and other multi-cultural program participants to relevant pre-apprenticeship programs in port-related industries such as the construction trades to obtain permanent employment. This project focuses on communities surrounding the new Federal Way office.
Partner in Employment provides economic security and mentorship to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in South King County. This project has two tracts, one that provides support services for immigrant job seekers impacted by COVID-19 in the aviation industry, and the other continues the youth green jobs training program started in the summer of 2020 under the Port’s opportunity motion.
Washington Maritime Blue operates the Maritime Youth Accelerator Project, which aims to provide culturally relevant skills-based learning to prepare young people for livable-wage jobs in the Maritime field. The project is specifically designed for youth of color and opportunity youth from underserved communities, who have an interest in learning about the maritime sector and in designing/developing an entrepreneurial project.
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committees (AIAC) The Manufacturing Academy is an aviation and maritime-focused pre-apprenticeship program for South King County residents. It is offered to participants at no cost and offers a solid foundational career pathway into aerospace and advanced manufacturing fields. The program offers college credits and the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certificates of completion.
Key Tech Labs will prepare participants to secure quality employment in green jobs through a hybrid learning environment. Through the in-person portion of the program, participants will work directly with sub-partner Dynamic Waters LLC, to learn about stormwater management and installation of rain gutter systems. Another sub-partner, Yes Farm, will train participants on invasive plant removal and urban gardening. Participants will construct greenhouses with Garden of Eden Urban Farming and they will receive hands-on experience in the maintenance, installation, and upkeep of solar panels with KB Electric and in green construction projects with Henry’s Landing LLC.
Latino Civic Alliance's Building Future Industry Leaders (BFIL) is an Apprenticeship program with a focus on different trades (Marine Technology (Technicians), Software Development (related to maritime digitalization), Carpenters to include LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and Transportation CDL Training School. BFIL will partner with contractors, unions, and employers to make sure students who graduate from the program will meet industry skill standards.
Neighborhood House Aviation Technology Career Pathways the Upskill/Backfill project model consists of career pipelines in aviation technology and manufacturing through partnerships with training providers and employers. The goal is to connect job seekers with career pathways that lead to career advancement and wage progression in the aviation sector.
Evergreen (Seattle) Goodwill’s Project supports youth facing barriers that are interested in exploring aerospace and green careers and helps them prepare for further education or careers. The students participate in the Youth Aerospace Program in South King County (YAP South), which builds confidence, social skills, and knowledge of the aerospace sector in students while also providing invaluable social capital, professional networks, and paid work experience in the aerospace sector.
World Relief Seattle strives to boost the local economy by creating clear pathways for refugees and immigrants out of poverty and entry-level jobs into highly skilled, higher paying jobs at SEA. Partner will achieve this objective through comprehensive employment, work-related wraparound services, and through partnerships with existing SEA employers that offer higher wage jobs ($18-$19+ per hour).
Disclaimer
This is not the Port’s official procurement site. The official RFP information and most updated requirements are made available in the Port’s VendorConnect system.
