- Review current policies for permitting requirements for small businesses, with particular focus on street level storefronts. This will include innovating policies to expedite the permitting and construction process for these locations.
- Maintain affordable commercial space in new development projects by utilizing funds raised through the Mandatory Housing Affordability program or other Levy dollars or other Public – Private partnerships in order to minimize displacement of local businesses and maintain diversity in our neighborhoods.
- Establish a rent recovery fund for live music and art performance venues to stay afloat through the Covid pandemic.
- Create a city-wide film partnership incentive program with the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau to attract out-of-state film productions that pay living wages, pour money into communities, and advertises our region to the world.
- Develop workforce programs that connect Seattle’s youth to career opportunities across creative sectors.
- Expand the Sea-Tac Airport City of Music busker program across the region to attract people back to public spaces and increase revenue opportunities for musicians.
- Create “agent of change” laws to protect the business of live music venues in development.
- Work with the Seattle Film Commission to identify ways the City can prioritize film permitting needs and encourage private investment from local corporations.
- Bring together downtown commercial property owners, county and city officials to create a property tax incentive program to refill the commercial retail spaces that have been vacated. The program will reimburse expenses incurred by landlords who undertake tenant improvements or provide free rent to bring small businesses back to downtown.
- Review the processes for city reviews, inspections, and small business permits to reduce the time required for small businesses to start-up.
- Create a rapid response program through a partnership with neighborhood chambers and business associations to quickly assess and meet the needs of small businesses in their business districts. The organizations will receive adequate funding to build staff capacity to conduct outreach to struggling businesses and will have access to resources and city staff to solve problems.
- Create a partnership between the city government and our local corporate foundations to raise money to fund a local grant program to provide significant financial assistance to small businesses. The grants can be used to catch up on delinquent lease payments, rehire employees, replenish inventory, upgrade equipment, and for marketing to help them recover from the damage caused by the pandemic and economic downturn.
- Strengthen relationships with state and federal officials to ensure that funding available comes to Seattle to support recovery.
- Partner with Trade Unions including, but not limited to, carpenters, ironworkers, electricians, and teamsters to develop pipeline and training programs for Green New Jobs.
- Identify ways to partner with start-ups and established companies to accelerate their impact and create more green jobs for our community.
- Monitor the success of heating oil taxes and make changes if they disproportionately impact low-income communities. I support the elimination of fossil fuels and embrace electrification but do not want low-income Seattleites disproportionately impacted by the transition.
- Continue the City’s partnership through the Duwamish Valley Action Plan addressing economic opportunity & jobs, a healthy environment, transportation & mobility, capacity building, and public safety.
- Create engineering and construction jobs and reduce our energy consumption through identifying opportunities to integrate more Smart Grid technology.
- Work with affordable housing developers to implement workforce development training programs and jobs fairs at their developments to provide job opportunities for their tenants.
- Expand the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning and partner with Seattle Public Schools, King County Workforce Development Council and local businesses to create a career pathway program for our youth from middle school through college.
- Establish a partnership with Seattle Communities Colleges and businesses to create course curriculums and certificate programs to provide residents with training and skills to get jobs.