PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.       7b 
BRIEFING ITEM             Date of Meeting   November 4, 2014 

DATE:    October 27, 2014 
TO:     Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Michael Tong, Corporate Budget Manager 
SUBJECT:  2013 Economic Impacts of the Port of Seattle 
SYNOPSIS 
The Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma entered an Interlocal Agreement to conduct a
joint economic impact study to assess areas of economic impact generated by the two
ports earlier this year. The two ports subsequently solicited proposals from several
consulting firms. Based on the consultants' written proposals, methods, assigned
personnel, prior experience, and cost, the ports selected Martin Associates for the study. 
On November 4, 2014, John Martin of Martin Associates, the study's author, will present
the Port of Seattle economic impacts. The presentation outline is as follows: 
Portwide summary of economic impacts 
Seaport economic impacts (Marine Cargo, Cruise and Other Waterborne
Passenger Activity, Commercial Fishing Activity, and Marina Activity) 
Real Estate economic impacts 
Airport economic impacts 
BACKGROUND: 
Since 1987, the Port has undertaken a study of the economic impacts of the Seattle Harbor
and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in approximate five-year intervals. Information
from the study provides defensible representations of the economic impacts associated with
Port activities and allows for informed policy discussion regarding the Port's current and
potential future role in supporting the economic vitality of the region. The study and related
computer models are also used in internal planning and evaluation of capital projects,
comparison of business operations and assessment of alternative land uses. The last study
was completed in 2007. 
On February 19, 2014, the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma entered an Interlocal
Agreement to conduct a joint economic impact study to assess areas of economic impact
generated by the two ports. Subsequently, the two ports solicited proposals from firms
interested in conducting a comprehensive analysis of the economic impacts derived by
the activities related to each port. Based on the consultants written proposals, methods,

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
October 22, 2014 
Page 2 of 2 
assigned personnel, prior experience, and cost, the ports selected Martin Associates for
the study. 
The study would assess areas of shared economic impact in the Puget Sound region and
the State of Washington. Additionally, the report would include individual sections that
analyze the impacts of each port within its specific county, the Puget Sound region, and
the State of Washington. 
The results of the economic impact analysis would be used in a variety of ways to
advance the individual and shared work of each port. The results of this study would 
serve as the foundation for communication with the general public, media, and elected
officials about the critical role of the two ports in our state's trade economy.
Additionally, this information will inform business proposals, grant requests, permit
submissions, etc.
On September 30, 2014, the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma jointly released the
economic impacts of the marine cargo operations, which supported more than 48,000
jobs and generated nearly $4.3 billion in economic activity in 2013. 
On November 4, 2014, the Port will release its economic impacts for the Seattle Harbor
and Sea-Tac Airport in terms of jobs, wages/salaries, business revenues and tax receipts.
The report includes separate impact analysis for each of the Port's key activities: 
Marine Cargo 
Cruise and Other Waterborne Passenger Activity 
Commercial Fishing Activity 
Marina Activity 
Real Estate including Central Waterfront Properties 
Sea-Tac International Airport 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
PowerPoint 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS: 
December 10, 2013  Request authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to
execute an interlocal agreement with the Port of Tacoma and all other documents
needed to conduct a joint economic impact study in an amount not to exceed
$200,000.