Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6d
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
July 14, 2020
DATE: July 14, 2020
TO: Steve Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: David McFadden, Managing Director - Economic Development Division
Mian Rice, Director - Diversity in Contracting Department
SUBJECT: Interlocal Agreement Highline College – Small Business Development Center
Amount of this request:
$160,000
Total estimated project cost:
$160,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute an Interlocal
Agreement (ILA) with Highline College – Small Business Development Center to provide small
business trainings and one-on-one assistance to existing and aspiring small business owners
from different cultural backgrounds within South King County that are interested in doing
business with the Port of Seattle. The agreement will be for three years for a total of $160,000.
This is part of the South King County Fund recovery efforts.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have been devastating to the local economy, especially
for small, woman and minority businesses enterprises (WMBE). As the pandemic took hold of
the state, small businesses have suffered greatly due to the lack of economic activity.
The Port of Seattle is doing its part by continuing to provide economic opportunities through its
capital programs, especially within airport and seaport operations. Even though the Port is
doing its best to keep the opportunities flowing, some small businesses are still on the cusp of
closing their doors and are seeking assistance and guidance as to what to do and how to survive
during these challenging times.
These questions have been highlighted even more so within the communities of color. This is
especially true within the South King County area where there has been a steady increase of
ethnically diverse people of color moving to pursue affordable housing and other factors.
As a rapid response to help serve small and WMBE businesses, especially within South King
County area, a partnership with Highline’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6d Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
support WMBE and small businesses in South King County is an important step. The SBDC has a
unique and direct relationship with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). SBDCs are the
technical assistance offices for the SBA and they have offices across King County and
Washington State. These Centers provide small business assistance in the form of workshops,
on-line trainings, one-on-one technical counseling, and resiliency business planning.
Justification
SBDCs have recently been helping Port small business tenants and partners learn about CARES
ACT loan programs and resources. Port staff recognize the value SBDCs provide and would like
to partner with Highline SBDC to continue providing this important support to impacted Port
businesses and partners.
The Highline SBDC is uniquely capable of delivering these support services to small business. It
can draw upon the resources of the Small Business Administration and build upon special
relationships they have built with local banks, accounting firms and other resource partners.
The Highline SBDC is also formally affiliated with other SBDC offices in Kent and Tukwila – a
unique and coordinated network that extends small business assistance further within South
King County.
The SBDCs also brings unique levels of funding and technical expertise to support the Port’s
small business support initiatives offering a wide-ranging support for businesses without
significant ramp-up time.
Additionally, Highline’s StartZone program is well established and can conduct small business
outreach to existing and aspiring small business owners from different cultural backgrounds
(i.e. English as a Second Language). StartZone provides culturally competent group training
focused on essential small business skills including finance, marketing, and business planning.
These areas support the Ports Diversity in Contracting Policy Directive in providing affirmative
efforts towards increasing woman and minority businesses enterprise (WMBE) participation on
ports contracts, both in the form of percentages and the number of WMBE participants.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6d Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Scope of Work
The following are within the scope of work under the ILA.
Task
Deliverables
Business and Technical Assistance
Small business technical assistance services in
the form of workshops, on-line trainings and one-
on-one advising to communities within South King
County that support the Port’s primary divisions of
Seattle Airport, Maritime, Corporate, and
Economic Development within in the industries of
construction, consulting, goods & services, and
concessions
Diversity in Contracting
Provide information on the Port’s Diversity in
Contracting program efforts and register WMBE’s
on the Port’s VendorConnect system for future
contracting opportunities
Business Resiliency Planning and Technical
Assistance
Provide small business resiliency planning
technical assistance services in the form of
workshops or one-on-one advising to communities
within South King County that are targeting Port
business opportunities or have the potential to
become a Port business partner
Outreach
Outreach to existing and aspiring small business
owners from different cultural backgrounds in
South King County that are interested in doing
business with the Port of Seattle
Cost Breakdown
$160,000 total over three years
• $60,000 year 1
• $50,000 year 2
• $50,000 year 3
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do nothing, remain status quo
Cost Implications: $0
Pros:
(1) Saves money
Cons:
(1) Lose partnership with an established resource center within South King County
(2) Become unresponsive to community concerns and Port equity initiatives
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6d Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: July 14, 2020
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Proceed with ILA agreement with Highline College – Small Business Development
Center (SBDC)
Cost Implications: $160,000
Pros:
(1) Support Port-related businesses and partners impacted by COVID-19
(2) Supports Port equity initiatives
(3) Partner with an established resource center within South King County
(4) Enhance outreach through Highline’s ability to support English as a second language
clients
(5) Demonstrate responsiveness to community concerns within South King County
(6) Quick ramp-up time to provide trainings and services
Cons:
1) Port-related businesses and partners within South Seattle may feel left out of additional
support
This is the recommended alternative.
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
Funds for the ILA is part of the Commission approved South King County Fund which is funded by
the tax levy.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
(2) Draft Interlocal Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
