PORT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 5
TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2019
Minutes of July 23, 2019, submitted for review on September 6, 2019, and proposed for approval on September 10, 2019.
investment requirements for grant awards were described. Staff shared statistics on increases of
non-resident participation in Washington tourism activities.
Examples of the Spotlight Airport Advertising program were described. In its two years, the
program, which sets aside about 10 percent of airport advertising space to promote local and state
destinations, has provided promotional opportunities for 53 participants. The tourism economic
impact on the Bellevue area was summarized, including impact related to cruises to Alaska.
City of Kirkland tourism development efforts and participation in the Spotlight Airport Advertising
program were highlighted.
Commissioners commented on the ecotourism component of the tourism marketing support
program. They noted the importance of marketing efforts to business and asked about other local
or state funding sources for tourism promotion. It was reported that there is $1.5 million available
from the state. To take advantage of this funding, matching funding of $3 million is required. This
funding level is the lowest state tourism promotion budget in the U.S. Commissioners commented
on the opportunity for other port districts in the state to join in promoting tourism in their
communities.
6. PANEL DISCUSSION: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Presentation document(s) were included with agenda item 5 above.
Presenter(s): Joe Meyer, Port of Seattle Economic Development Coordinator; Alex Herzog, City of
Woodinville Assistant to the City Manager; and Ellen Miller-Wolfe, City of Kirkland Regional
Business Partnership Manager.
The role of the port’s economic development partnership program in providing economic stimulus
for King County cities was summarized. In 2019, $795,900 was awarded to 25 cities. The matching
funding and in-kind contribution provisions of the program were described, and the categories of
uses of funding by the cities were summarized. These included business recruitment, business
retention efforts, planning and feasibility studies, tourism development, and buy-local initiatives.
Examples of economic efforts in Woodinville and Kirkland were presented. Woodinville’s economy
is noted for about 130 wineries, breweries, and distilleries that serve about 800,000 visitors
annually. The city is conducting a feasibility study in preparation for establishing an adult beverage
business incubator. Kirkland currently administers an interlocal alliance called Startup 425 that
includes the cities of Kirkland, Renton, Bellevue, Redmond, and Issaquah and supports
entrepreneurs and business start-ups. This includes business-related educational programs,
mentoring services, and other efforts to lower barriers to entry for new entrepreneurs.
Commissioners asked about the role of diversity and inclusion in city business incubator programs.
They also asked about the perspective of eastside cities on regional mobility as it relates to
potential for water taxis on the east side and airport remote baggage check-in. Supplemental
funding for Startup 425 was discussed.