City of Seattle expands programs for small business owners

Earlier this week the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development announced that $1.9 million is available in the Commercial Tenant Improvement Fund, as part of the COVID-19 Local Fiscal Recovery reserve. Seattle-based small businesses can apply for grants of up to $100,000 to build out commercial spaces or make improvements to existing commercial locations. Applications will be accepted through September 8, 2022.

In addition to the City of Seattle fund, the Seattle Office of Economic Development has partnered with Seattle Good Business Network and Shunpike to match small business owners and artists with vacant commercial storefronts to host pop-up shops and art installations. The program is free and there is no cost to apply. Applications are due by August 26, 2022. Learn more about the Seattle Restored program here.

Seattle residents can apply for the following types of activations:

• Pop-Up Shop – Run your own business in a vacant commercial space.

• Art Installation – Exhibit and sell your artwork via QR code from a street-facing window display.

• QR Code Window Shopping – Advertise and sell your products via QR code from a street-facing window display.

• Collective Pop-Up Shop – Share space with other Seattle Restored participants in a collective retail marketplace.

• Restaurant Pop-Up Residency – Run your own restaurant residency for one month in a vacant commercial space.