Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 1 of 3

MOTION 2020-10:

A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

To add economic development to the permissible uses for

the South King County Fund, in support of local recovery

from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Port Commission has set a number of goals and tactics for relief and recovery efforts – from how

to sustain and support the Port, its operations and its employees to how to engage in regional

partnerships that create jobs, increase equity, retain small businesses, improve the environment

and restore quality of life. One aspect of that recovery effort is expanding the permissible uses

of the South King County Fund (the Fund) to allow for investments in economic recovery and

development.

TEXT OF THE MOTION

The Port Commission hereby adds “Economic Development” to support recovery for the region

budgeted at $750,000 in 2019, to be used to provide resources and support for Sea-Tac

International Airport area communities . . . uses may include support for addressing airport noise

and for other projects that support environmental health and enhance sustainability.”

In June 2019, the Commission approved the following principles for implementation of the South

King County Fund:

Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 2 of 3

COVID-19 has had multiple economic impacts, including workers having to stay home,

interruptions to supply chains, disruptions to small businesses and hourly workers, and export-

dependent businesses struggling to deliver products to key international markets.

economic development, also include economic development activities such as occupational job

training and placement, job advancement and job retention, preapprenticeship training,

occupational education programs, or apprenticehsip and employment strategies for youth. The

Port’s economic development and recovery efforts will be tied to activities that benefit the Port,

its tenants, or Port-related industries.

In the July 1, 2014, “Motion of the Port of Seattle Commission Increasing Workforce

development is defined as education, training, job matching, and related services that both help

connect local workers to careers, and that help ensure area companies have access to the skilled

workforce they need to thrive and grow.”

The Port of Seattle and other public entities in the Seattle region have also defined economic

development broadly to address equity and environmental justice concerns. For example, the

PSRC’s regional economic strategy distinguishes between “traditional economic development

priorities such as transportation, education, international trade and the region’s business

climate” and “newer emphasis areas,” which “include a specific rural strategy, initiatives to grow

jobs throughout the region, advancing social equity . . . .” The Port’s current workforce

substantial public benefit consistent with the Commission’s economic development goals, and is

consistent with ongoing worker training initiatives in place in the port district.

Motion 2020-10 – South King County Fund Uses Page 3 of 3

One of the current purposes of the Fund is to advance equity. The Port recognizes that

communities of color and other historically marginalized communities tend to be more

vulnerable throughout all phases of a large scale public crisis or disaster, from preparedness to

immediate response to longer-term recovery. In its response to the pandemic, the Port has an

opportunity and responsibility to ensure equitable engagement for the most vulnerable.

The Fund principles approved in June 2019, along with the new element of economic recovery,

will continue to guide the distribution of money from the Fund as the Executive implements the

COVID-19 recovery plan. Funding will be continue to be available for the environmental projects

previously planned under the authority of this fund.