Commission Economic Recovery Listening Sessions
Draft Summaries 
May 28th, 2021

Eastside Business Leaders Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Bowman and Cho hosted this session on April 29th, 2021. 
Attendees
Kristina Hudson  OneRedmond 
LeAnne Moss - Renton Regional Community Foundation 
Brad Jones - Visit Bellevue 
Joe Fain  Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 
Patrick Bannon  Bellevue Downtown Association 
Debbie Lacy  Eastside for All 
Samantha St. John - Kirkland Chamber of Commerce 
Summary 
This session painted a portrait of an economically dynamic locale in a state of flux. One top
issue identified by the participants is how elected and civic leaders will manage the
explosive wage and population growth in the area. This includes the attendant
housing supply and transportation investments needed to serve this growth along with
finding ways to distribute the benefits of growth amongst every member of the Eastside
community. 
Keywords 
Growth, Access to Recovery Resources, Reopening 
Identified Issues Impacting the Community 
o  There is a need for a clear statewide roadmap to reopening for conventions, events and
local businesses, including a clear reopening date. 
o  Small- and immigrant-owned businesses have had a lot of trouble accessing PPP loans and
other economic relief resources due to language, digital literacy, and capacity barriers. 
o  Affordability issues such as the cost of commercial leases and keeping and finding
employees in a costly housing market are some of the on-going concerns for small
businesses in the area.
o  There is a need for increased mental healthcare services, including culturally
appropriate services, and childcare services in the Eastside community.
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  There is strong support for Port grants and programs that support economic development
efforts in Eastside cities (i.e. Startup 425). 
o  Expanded workforce development efforts are key to economic recovery.
o  The Port should serve as a catalyst to bring industry together to present the airport and by
extension the Eastside to potential customers as open for business, safe, and attractive.
The Port can support vertical marketing partnerships to promote the Eastside. 

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o  There has been a long-time desire to work with the Port to launch an Eastside visitor center
with airport security and ticketing.
o  Invest in outreach, translation services, and capacity building for small and immigrant
owned businesses on the Eastside, including text message communication services.
Seattle Business Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Calkins and Steinbrueck hosted this session on April 20th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Lisa Howard  Alliance for Pioneer Square 
Mike Stewart  Ballard Alliance 
Mark Rosen  GSBA 
Brian McGowan Greater Seattle Partners 
Rachel Smith Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce 
Tom Norwalk  Visit Seattle 
Jon Scholes  Downtown Seattle Association 
Monisha Singh - Chinatown International District BIA 
Summary 
Participants were largely speaking in one voice during this listening session, as they were
aligned on the handful of issues that they considered to be top priorities as well as their
suggested actions for the Port. They noted that the Port's mission and purpose is promoting
economic development for the region and we do that well through capital projects and safely
and effectively managing gateways for the supply chain, travel, and tourism.  This session was
especially noteworthy in the type of action that the participants suggested the Port take, as
they urged the Port to assume a prominent role as an advocate and a convener. 
Keywords 
Advocate and Convener, Downtown and Neighborhood Business Recovery, Tourism Promotion 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  Seattle's recovery is impacted by public safety, especially the deteriorating crime/public
disorder situation in downtown Seattle which is exacerbated by the lack of many downtown
office workers due to COVID workplace restrictions and the related lower number of
downtown residents. 
o  The loss of tourism due to the pandemic is a major issue with impacts rippling throughout
the hospitality and small business community. The cruise industry brings lots of benefits to
small business recovery. 
o  Lack of guidance and certainty regarding the future of large gatherings and events in the
state means Seattle is losing out on conventions, nineteen of which are still scheduled for
the end of this year and face tremendous uncertainty. 

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o  There is a need for small business relief funds and workforce development efforts are also a
huge priority.
o  The current dynamics of elected city leaders are hindering functional decision making in
crucial recovery efforts. 
o  The rise in anti-API hate crimes is a major issue.
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  The Port is an important and effective partner that should make its voice heard on issues
such as public safety, regional transportation, and others in conversations between business
and the City. 
o  Maritime Blue and business incubators should be scaled up and can promote important
business sector recovery. 
o  There is universal strong support for the Port's tourism and economic development grant
programs. 
o  Support the enhanced regional connections being formed with the Kitsap Peninsula and
promote waterfront accessibility to bolster these new bonds. 
o  Promote a truly equitable recovery, and center diverse voices in the recovery conversation.
South King County Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Cho and Calkins hosted this session on April 7th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Nyambura Ruhiu-Mboggo - African Chamber of Commerce- PNW 
Hamdi Abdulle - African Community Housing & Development 
Providence Kamana - Congolese Integration Network 
Rebecca Martin  Federal Way Chamber of Commerce 
Mar Brettmann - BEST- Businesses Ending Slavery 
Andrea Reay - Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce 
Heather Worthley - Port Jobs 
Tony Ogilvie - Filipino Chamber of Commerce 
Hien Kieu - Partners in Employment 
Caitlyn Shearer - Seattle Southside Regional Tourist Authority 
Summary 
This listening session reflected the challenges that communities of color are currently facing
across this nation. Top of mind was the need for basic services in these communities, especially
food and affordable housing. Participants identified several areas where they would like the
Port to take a more active role and/or make additional investments. 
Keywords 
Basic Needs, Capacity-Building, Workforce Development 

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Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
Insufficient access to jobs and loss of income are major issues. 
o  BIPOC businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic (60 percent loss
of income, vs 50 percent loss for all businesses). 
o  Businesses run by immigrants have had a harder time accessing federal relief funding due to
language barriers, informal bookkeeping practices, and insufficient digital literacy. 
o  Immigrant schoolchildren have had a harder time adjusting to online learning during the
pandemic, which is exacerbated by the underlying issues of systemic injustice and racism. 
o  Lack of affordable childcare is a jobs and employment issue. 
o  Access to vaccines and mental healthcare services in these communities needs
improvement. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Expand its support of the existing community-based organizations currently doing the work
of providing basic services, as these organizations are overwhelmed with demand. 
o  Create additional family-wage jobs and pathways to these jobs, especially for youth. 
o  Devise plan to better share information on travel trends with communities. 
o  Consider ways the Port can help close the digital literacy gap. 
Sound Cities Association Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Felleman and Steinbrueck hosted this session on May 6th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Conrad Lee - Bellevue City Council 
Nancy Backus  Mayor of Auburn 
Dana Ralph  Mayor of Kent 
Ed Prince  Renton City Council 
Angela Birney  Mayor of Redmond 
Amy Ockerlander  Mayor of Duvall 
Jeff Wagner - Mayor of Covington 
Deanna Dawson  Sound Cities Association 
Summary 
The Sound Cities Association Listening Session brought together a diverse selection of mainly
elected leaders from communities across King County. Given this diversity, it is remarkable but
not surprising that housing affordability was identified as a key issue by a majority of the
participants. The meeting participants were very interested in the Port taking a more prominent
role as a convener of regional interests and governments, so as to better align economic
development spending and programming. 
Keywords 
Affordable Housing, Port as Convener, Capacity-Building 
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Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  There is a lack of affordable housing across all the income bands. The lack is housing for
those making under 30 percent of the area median income is one of the drivers of
homelessness. 
o  Small and minority-owned businesses in these communities are struggling as evidenced by
three hundred businesses one participant's city that did not renew their business license
this year. 
o  Transportation infrastructure is a major issue and in some areas roads have worn down due
to heavy usage by warehousing operations. 
o  There is a need for forward-thinking economic development in these communities including
coordinating federal recovery dollars with other entities to maximize the lasting benefits of
these funds. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Conduct a gap analysis to find where the Port can fit in to the regional economic
coordination puzzle. Center equity anytime the Port assumes the role of convener. 
o  Make corresponding investments in capacity-building in smaller governments in the county
including through the Port's economic development grant program. 
o  Put more resources into sharing information regarding the implementation of equity
initiatives, as many smaller governments do not have an FTE devoted to this work. 
o  Explore adding an Eastside boarding and luggage pre-check system for passengers traveling
through the airport.
Duwamish Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Felleman and Calkins hosted this session on April 26th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Greg Ramirez - Georgetown Community Council 
Andrew Schiffer  DIRT Corps 
Paulina Lopez - Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition 
Jolene Haas  Duwamish Tribe 
Rosario Maria Medina  Friends of Georgetown History 
Aley Thompson  South Park Neighborhood Association 
Angel Garcia Guillen  Villa Comunitaria 
Edwin Hernandez - Duwamish Valley Port Community Action Team 
Michelle Benetua - Seattle Parks Foundation (submitted online) 
Summary 
The feedback the Port received during the Duwamish Economic Recovery Listening session was
centered around two main themes: the need to develop additional pathways to good jobs as
well as the desire to improve the relationship and communication between the Port and the
Duwamish community. 
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Keywords 
Career Pathways, Port/Duwamish Communication, Contracting Barriers
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  Economic concerns were top of mind for meeting participants including the aforementioned
lack of opportunities for career development, particularly for undocumented folks. 
o  Duwamish communities are particularly impacted by displacement, gentrification, housing
affordability, homelessness, and joblessness. 
o  One attendee stated their organization missed out on Port opportunities due to poor
communication. 
o  The West Seattle Bridge closure is a major issue and has big impacts on the community. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Commit to increasing economic opportunity for those who live in the Duwamish Valley by
creating entry level jobs with advancement potential, dedicating funding for community
capital projects, and reducing barriers to participation in Port grants and contracts for
community-based organizations and small businesses. 
o  Set aside a certain percentage of Port internships for Duwamish community residents. 
o  Do more to activate and promote hapus Village Park as a tourist destination.
o  Add adult career training facilities to the Maritime High School. 
o  Work to highlight tourism in the Valley by emphasizing the unique history of the area. 
o  Find ways to improve transparency and communication with Duwamish community.
members, including those who can't participate in community groups on a regular basis. 
o  Ensure Port contractors treat their employees well. 
Aviation Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Calkins and Cho hosted this session on May 24th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Nat Stratton Clarke  Floret by Caf Flora 
James Reynolds  CLEAR 
Bill Dewey  Taylor Shellfish 
Darin Lang  Doug Fox 
Ryan Lynd  Prospect Air 
Joshua Welter  Teamsters 117 
Loren Kosloske - Uber 
David Fukuhara  Concourse Concessions 
Dana Debel  Delta Air Lines 
Shane Jones - Alaska Airlines 

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Summary 
The session succeeded in bringing the views of a diverse selection of stakeholders in the
airport's economic ecosystem to the fore. A majority of session participants expressed their
satisfaction with the Port's economic relief initiatives as well as the Port's distribution of federal
relief funds, and several stated that the Port's actions were a difference maker in the financial
viability of their businesses. Meeting participants were united in their desire to work more
closely and collaboratively with the Port in the future. 
Keywords 
Relief Initiatives, Re-staffing, Port as Coordinator 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  Several businesses are in the process of staffing up to meet the demands of a rebounding
economy in an increasingly competitive hiring environment and the airport's badging office
is nearing capacity in processing these new and returning employees. 
o  The lack of business and international travelers has hurt their bottom line while also
contributing negatively to the airport customer experience. 
o  Businesses are still hurting from the decline in travel and there is a need for additional
financial assistance moving forward. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Urge the Port to open the IAF in September of 2021, so that the facility will be open in
advance of the anticipated resurgence of international travel. 
o  Workforce development efforts could align with an eye toward alleviating staffing
shortages. 
o  Expedite federal relief distribution to small businesses in the airport and also continue the
practice of granting concessionaires flexibility in customer seating arrangements. 
o  The Port should serve as a coordinator between airlines and concessionaires, so
concessionaires can precisely align their staffing plans with peak passenger volumes. 
o  Take a prominent role in clarifying the discordant regulatory landscape around COVID
safety. 
o  In contrast with the general tone of the meeting, one participant signaled displeasure with
the Port's relief efforts for their community and called for additional relief to match the
airport concessionaires timewise, debt relief, and a posture of collaboration. 




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Maritime Industry Sector Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Felleman and Steinbrueck hosted this session April 8th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Eleanor Kirtley - Green Marine 
Eugene Wasserman - North Seattle Industrial Association 
Mike Moore - Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) 
Sarah Scherer - Seattle Propeller Club 
Joshua Berger - WA Maritime Blue 
Jon Hie, Seattle Marine Business Coalition 
George Harris - Washington Maritime Federation 
Dean Paglialunga - Fishermen's Terminal Retail Tenants Association 
Summary 
This session brought together a broad cross-section of the Seattle maritime ecosystem. Given
this variety of backgrounds, it is notable that two issues were mentioned by most/all meeting
participants: the crucial importance of and demand for maritime workforce development
efforts, and a desire for the Port to serve as an advocate and lobby the City of Seattle to
improve public safety and reduce crime and disorder in Seattle's manufacturing and industrial
areas. 
Keywords 
Workforce Development, Public Safety/Public Order Advocacy, Regulations
Identified Issues Impacting the Community 
o  Some participants are facing difficulty coming into compliance with the Department of
Ecology's recently strengthened copper regulations.
o  Conflicts with the City on right-of-way issues persist. 
o  West Coast port congestion and the lack of rail capacity need to be addressed. 
o  State environmental regulations and red tape are creating challenges for the industry. 
o  Lack of affordable industrial space and the threat of losing industrial space to other land
uses must finally be addressed. 
o  There needs to be more alignment on key priorities/projects for the industry.
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Continue and expand maritime workforce development efforts and advocate for better
public safety. 
o  Focus on actions that will assist the cruise industry recovery and help regrow tourism in the
city. 
o  Explore offshore wind opportunities. 
o  Advocate and take actions that increase certainty around regulatory costs. 
o  Make quicker decisions on projects within the NSIA. 
o  Do more to promote the maritime industry to the public (i.e. Maritime Matters campaign). 

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o  The Port had already successfully partnered with these organizations in several areas.
Continue to look for opportunities where the Port can be partner, advocate and convenor. 
o  Keep lines of communication open and coordinate with industry. 
o  Help with advocacy with SDOT re: the proposed West Marginal Way bike lane. 
o  Elevate the successes of environmental initiatives at the Port.

Represented Labor Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Bowman and Cho hosted this session on April 15th, 2021 
Attendees 
Monty Anderson  Seattle Building and Construction Trades 
Rich Austin - ILWU Local 19 
Katie Garrow  MLK Labor 
Dustin Lambro  Teamsters 117
Stefan Moritz  Unite HERE 
Summary 
This session brought a variety of different, specific concerns and suggestions for Port
action/partnership to the table. There were some common themes, however, including
addressing the disproportionately negative financial impacts of the pandemic on lower-wage
communities and workers as well as gratitude that the Port is pushing forward on job-creating
capital projects when other agencies have had to slow down on projects. The group also
pressed Commissioners to push the Port to revisit its policy around the Juneteenth holiday for
represented employees. 
Keywords 
Disproportionate Impacts of Pandemic, Job Creation through Investment in Capital Projects 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  There is a great systemic challenge and need in their communities for additional childcare
services. 
o  Need to extend worker retention policy to airline caterers (building on the recent minimum
wage victory) given the current elevated turnover in contractors for airline kitchens. 
o  Concern regarding Port department-driven initiatives to revisit labor standards in order to
enhance small business.
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Give all represented employees at the Port Juneteenth as a paid holiday (in addition to nonrepresented
employees receiving the same benefit). 

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o  Continue spending money on capital investments to help avoid layoffs and speed up the
pace of economic recovery. 
o  Tie any relief the Port provides to employers to keeping people employed and require that
employers spend relief funds on wages and benefits. 
o  Support pre-apprenticeship programs with placements into actual apprenticeships. 
o  Considering not always using outside counsel during collective bargaining negotiations. 
o  Continue to create opportunities for dialogue in order to build a two-way, trust-based
relationship moving forward.

Contractors Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Cho and Steinbrueck hosted this session on May 27th, 2021. 
Attendees
Sonja Forster - AGC of Washington 
Vicky Schiantarelli - Schiantarelli & Associates 
Shannon Gustine- Hensel Phelps 
Jeff Arviso - Manson Construction
John Salinas - Salinas Construction
Ray Riojas - Walsh Construction 
James Faison - Faison Construction, Inc/National Association of Minority Contractors
Washington Chapter 
Brett Earnest - Clark Construction 
Summary 
Participants in the session offered focused and specific feedback regarding the Port's
contracting process, contractual approaches to cost uncertainties, and workforce development
efforts. The main suggestion for Port action was continued, even increased levels of capital
spending to sustain jobs, stimulate regional growth, and support the recovery. The participants
detailed actions that will help remove barriers to participation for small and WMBE firms
including: mix of project sizes, improved protocols on advertisements, adding badging capacity,
lowering bonding requirements, and changing payment structures to better account for the
needs of subs. 
Keywords 
Capital Spending, Growth Trajectory, Cost Escalators, Design-Build, Minority Contracting 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  Contractors identified a significant issue with the recent explosive and unpredictable cost
increases of certain raw materials, including lumber, steel, and fuel. 

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o  Need to ensure that contracting processes and procedures don't create barriers for
participation for WMBEs as outlined above. 
o  There is a lack of apprentices and younger workers entering the skilled labor job pipeline. 
o  There are several risks in the port bidding process such as accounting for inflation, change
orders and other contingencies. 
o  Primes need flexibility to keep their own core workers employed on a consistent basis and
flexibility in negotiation of fixed PLAs with unions since each project and contractor is
different. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Keep capital program on a growth trajectory. 
o  Keep talking with contractors and convene unions, primes, and WMBEs together to improve
efficiency, labor pool, and coordination. 
o  Account for cost increases in materials in contracts, whether through cost escalation clauses
or tying contracts to a materials price index. This is especially relevant for longer term
contracts stretching out for several years. 
o  A design-build delivery method is the preferred approach and allows more WMBEs, while
GCCM model does not. 
o  Expand priority hire zip codes outside of King County, and work with high schools to get
youth interested and engaged in a career in the skilled labor workforce. 
o  Detail project scope more thoroughly in the pre-solicitation period to minimize the
potential for change orders later in the construction process. 
o  Hold regular outreach sessions where smaller contractors can both be trained on how to do
work with the Port and offer their feedback on how the Port contracting process can be
improved.
o  Maximize notification time and the number of venues where notices of work are posted. 
Arts Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Bowman and Cho hosted this session on May 20th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Kelly Pajek  4Culture 
Tyna Ontko - SOIL 
Rachel Cook - On the Boards 
Kate Becker  King County 
Weston Lambert  Artist 
June Sekiguchi  Artist 


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Summary 
The session was notable in that participants were able to both identify clear needs for their
communities as well as point to recent investments by the Port that were aiding economic
recovery for the arts. The most pressing issue that was raised by participants was the lack of
both affordable housing for artists (one participant reported being displaced from Seattle to
Tacoma due to this issue) and affordable studio space. 
Keywords 
Affordability, Paid Opportunities, Arts Ecosystem 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  A major studio space, Inscape Arts, is under threat of redevelopment, which would
exacerbate the regionwide shortage of studio space. 
o  There is a decline in paid work and fundraising opportunities due to the pandemic. 
o  Artists have created a lot of art over the last year, but haven't been able to show or sell it
and as a result have large amounts on hand. 
o  It's important to bring attention to the issue of mental health in the arts community,
especially for artists who don't live with family. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Inject additional dollars into the creative economy by expanding the number of paid
opportunities for local artists at the Port. 
o  Last year's arts stimulus program is an ideal approach to investment and these investments
in artists support a whole secondary economy of fabricators, architects, etc. 
o  Consider and explore providing studio spaces for artists in public-facing areas of the Port,
perhaps as a part of an artist residency. 
o  Consider partnering on two projects: adding parking and apprenticeship opportunities to
the Harbor Island sound stage. 
o  Tommy Gregory's work reaching out to artists is wonderful. Expanding the Port's arts staff
would allow Tommy to do more. 
o  Provide bridge funding to the non-profit that schedules musical performances at the
airport, as it is at risk of financial collapse. 
o  Make investments in arts organizations across King County (but especially in underserved
areas like airport cities) as a means of showcasing our regional values of supporting the arts.




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Environmental Non-Profit Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Felleman and Steinbrueck hosted this session on April 15th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Heather Trim - Zero Waste Washington
Joanna Nelson des Florres  Forterra
David Han  ECOSS
Miranda Marti  350.org
Maria Batayola  Front and Centered
Gregg Small, Climate Solutions
Alyssa Macy  Washington Environmental Council 
Esther Handy  Puget Sound Sage (submitted online) 
Summary 
This session brought up an interesting mix of global environmental topics and desire for
localized action. While the dangers of climate change were raised, the need for improved air
quality was actually cited as the top community concern. 
Keywords 
Port as Advocate, Electrification, Air Quality 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  There is a need for a "just transition" to a clean energy future, where indigenous and other
communities of color are engaged at every step of the transition process. 
o  BIPOC youth need more opportunities to secure sustainable jobs as a strategy to power this
massive shift. 
o  One meeting participant raised a strong disagreement with the Port's MSW to jet fuel
plans.
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Take action on air quality issues through electrification of the waterfront, buildings, and
trucks/freight. 
o  Expand and increase Port's advocacy for clean fuels as a follow on to the Port's great LCFS
advocacy. 
o  Partner with impacted communities on noise, air quality, etc. advocacy with the federal
government. 
o  Replicate our Duwamish environmental initiative for communities surrounding the airport. 
o  Lower barriers to contracting with the Port for small businesses/non-profits. 
o  Create pathways to green jobs and promote sustainable job opportunities to BIPOC
communities. 
o  Broaden Port's enabling statutes to include environmental issues. 

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o  Explore practices in our facilities such as banning plastic bottles banned at the airport (like
SFO.)

Equity-Focused Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Cho and Bowman hosted this session on April 22nd, 2021. 
Attendees 
Michael Byun  Asian Counseling & Referral Services
Anne Xuan Clark - Chief Seattle Club
Marcos Wanless  Latino Chamber of Commerce
Fernando Martinez  Northwest Mountain MSDC
Tabor 100  Ollie Garrett
Amesha Lawton - Urban League of Seattle
Manhaz Eshetu - Refugee Women's Alliance REWA 
Summary 
The Equity Economic Recovery Listening Session brought together local leaders who have been
on the front lines of the pandemic response in some of the most heavilyimpacted
communities in the region. It followed that many participants advocated for a focused
distribution of relief resources and economic recovery efforts in these communities. 
Keywords 
Equitable Recovery, Port Contracting Improvements, Investments in Youth 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  There is a perception that Port contracting requirements can be extremely challenging (i.e.
one participant said the Port South King County Fund grant process was by far the most
onerous of the one thousand grants they had participated in over the past year.) 
o  Rising levels of homelessness among indigenous peoples and the lack of access to relief
resources for immigrants were both raised as top issues. 
o  There is a lack of jobs for their clientele/communities as well as trouble finding workers. 
o  Problematic situation where majority-owned companies are moving into market segments
where WMBEs are predominant, including by buying out minority-owned businesses and
folding them into their operations. 
o  Port RFP language itself can discourage minority-owned small businesses from competing
for work at the Port. 
o  There are reports of escalating physical violence against youth and a need to connect youth
summer internships with the next step in the career ladder.

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Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Find a way to lower the contractual and administrative barriers currently discouraging nonprofits
and WMBEs from working with the Port. 
o  Invest in developing the pipeline of WMBE contractors and suppliers. 
o  Continue and expand investments in youth, especially programs that involved youth earning
a wage. 
o  Develop programming for youth in the South End as well as the Central District, given the
ongoing conflict between youth in the two areas. 
o  Explore why people of color do not represent a higher percentage of senior leadership
positions at the Port.
Workforce Development Listening Session Summary 
Commissioners Bowman and Calkins hosted this session on May 6th, 2021. 
Attendees 
Ann Avary  Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology 
Rich Stolz - OneAmerica 
Krist Grassman - Construction Center of Excellence 
Linda Faaren  Puget Sound Welcome Back Center 
Marie Kurose  Workforce Development Council of Seattle KC 
Dale Bateman - Seattle Colleges Seattle Maritime Academy 
Summary 
The most commonly-cited major issue raised in this session was the disproportionate impact of
the pandemic on participants' communities. Housing, lack of childcare, and lack of healthcare
were also identified as pre-existing disparities that have been exacerbated during the pandemic
due to declining wages, benefits, and jobs. Participants were excited about the Port's support
of the Maritime Innovation Center and Maritime Blue and suggested that the Port continue to
do more work along these lines. 
Keywords 
Career Pathways, Port as Convener, Pandemic Impacts 
Additional Issues Impacting the Community 
o  The pandemic has created barriers for internationally-educated professionals who were not
able to find the entry-level jobs that serve as the first step towards rebuilding professional
careers in a new country. 
o  There is difficulty finding qualified marine technicians in the current environment. There is a
need to create pathways for workers from disadvantaged communities to gain technical
skills and get connected to employers. 
o  Suicide safety trainings, mentorship, and safety culture relationship training is needed in the
construction industry. 
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o  There is a need for additional CDL drivers and ways to support women in the trades. 
o  Struggles to find ways to diversify the maritime workforce and introduce the concept of a
maritime career to a younger and more diverse audience when there are not many people
who look like this audience already at sea. 
o  The Coast Guard's burdensome sea-time requirements for aspiring mariners are posing
significant barriers for training level credentials, and thus entry-level jobs in the maritime
industry. 
Ideas for How the Port Can Support Economic Recovery and Partnerships 
o  Play a role as a convener with the goal of developing a regional strategy for workforce
development (with specialized accommodations like translation services). 
o  Work with the state Centers of Excellence to cross-promote workforce development
strategies. 
o  Utilize priority hire in other industries beyond construction. 
o  Create additional entry points (jobs and internships) for educated immigrant workers so
they can prove what they know. 
o  Build additional connections between short-term pre-apprenticeships and internships and
full-time, sustainable careers.











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