Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 1 of 3
MOTION 2020-10:
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A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
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To add economic development to the permissible uses for
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the South King County Fund, in support of local recovery
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from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PROPOSED
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APRIL 28, 2020
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INTRODUCTION
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In response to the extraordinary circumstances posed by the COVID-19 public health crisis, the
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Port Commission has set a number of goals and tactics for relief and recovery efforts – from how
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to sustain and support the Port, its operations and its employees to how to engage in regional
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partnerships that create jobs, increase equity, retain small businesses, improve the environment
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and restore quality of life. One aspect of that recovery effort is expanding the permissible uses
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of the South King County Fund (the Fund) to allow for investments in economic recovery and
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development.
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TEXT OF THE MOTION
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The Port Commission hereby adds “Economic Development” to support recovery for the region
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from the COVID-19 pandemic to the permissible uses for the South King County Fund.
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STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
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On November 27, 2018, the Port Commission adopted Motion 2018-14, which provides “funding,
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not to exceed $10 million, designated for a South King County Support Program, which will be
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budgeted at $750,000 in 2019, to be used to provide resources and support for Sea-Tac
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International Airport area communities . . . uses may include support for addressing airport noise
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and for other projects that support environmental health and enhance sustainability.”
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In June 2019, the Commission approved the following principles for implementation of the South
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King County Fund:
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(1) The Fund will be used to fund projects in the South King County area;
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(2) The Fund will prioritize community input to inform Port decision making;
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(3) The Fund will support Port equity policies and practices, including giving
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underrepresented communities access to opportunities and using equity
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policies to evaluate potential initiatives and establish desired outcomes;
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(4) The Fund will provide added benefit to current Port programs to address
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airport noise, increased environmental health, and sustainability;
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(5) The Fund will prioritize projects that are ready to proceed;
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Item Number: 7d_motion
Meeting Date: April 28, 2020
Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 2 of 3
(6) The Fund will build on established programs and commitments to fulfill
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current obligations;
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(7) The Fund will promote innovation; and
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(8) The Fund will encourage matching funds where possible.
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COVID-19 has had multiple economic impacts, including workers having to stay home,
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interruptions to supply chains, disruptions to small businesses and hourly workers, and export-
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dependent businesses struggling to deliver products to key international markets.
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The legislature has authorized port districts to engage in economic development activities. RCW
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53.08.245 provides that it is “in the public purpose for all port districts to engage in economic
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development programs.” The Port’s economic development purposes, to advance economic
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development, advance trade and commerce, to promote industrial growth and to stimulate
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economic development, also include economic development activities such as occupational job
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training and placement, job advancement and job retention, preapprenticeship training,
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occupational education programs, or apprenticehsip and employment strategies for youth. The
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Port’s economic development and recovery efforts will be tied to activities that benefit the Port,
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its tenants, or Port-related industries.
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In the July 1, 2014, “Motion of the Port of Seattle Commission Increasing Workforce
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Development and Career Opportunities Activities,” the Port of Seatle Commission stated that
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workforce development is critical to achieving the Port’s primary mission to serve as an
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economic development agency generating quality, family-wage jobs and economic growth for
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the region and increasing operational efficiency and economic mobility.
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The Port of Seattle Commission defined workforce development in the July 1 motion: “workforce
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development is defined as education, training, job matching, and related services that both help
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connect local workers to careers, and that help ensure area companies have access to the skilled
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workforce they need to thrive and grow.”
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The Port of Seattle and other public entities in the Seattle region have also defined economic
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development broadly to address equity and environmental justice concerns. For example, the
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PSRC’s regional economic strategy distinguishes between “traditional economic development
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priorities such as transportation, education, international trade and the region’s business
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climate” and “newer emphasis areas,” which “include a specific rural strategy, initiatives to grow
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jobs throughout the region, advancing social equity . . . .” The Port’s current workforce
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development policy, passed in the 2014 motion, embraces this broad application of economic
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development. The Port’s Economic Development Partnership program, and Toursim grant
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program, are also economic development investments that support tourism promotion, small
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business assistance, business recruitment, trade development and workforce development.
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The Commission confirms and declares that port-related workforce development provides a
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substantial public benefit consistent with the Commission’s economic development goals, and is
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consistent with ongoing worker training initiatives in place in the port district.
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Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 3 of 3
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One of the current purposes of the Fund is to advance equity. The Port recognizes that
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communities of color and other historically marginalized communities tend to be more
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vulnerable throughout all phases of a large scale public crisis or disaster, from preparedness to
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immediate response to longer-term recovery. In its response to the pandemic, the Port has an
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opportunity and responsibility to ensure equitable engagement for the most vulnerable.
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The Fund principles approved in June 2019, along with the new element of economic recovery,
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will continue to guide the distribution of money from the Fund as the Executive implements the
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COVID-19 recovery plan. Funding will be continue to be available for the environmental projects
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previously planned under the authority of this fund.
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