COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          6E 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      January 8, 2019 
DATE:     December 14, 2018 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Dave McFadden, Managing Director of the Economic Development Division 
SUBJECT:  Authorization of funding for the 2019 Economic Development Partnership Program 
Amount of this request:                 $960,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute contracts supporting
the 2019 Port of Seattle Economic Development Partnership Program in an amount not to
exceed $960,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Economic Development Partnership Program, funded by the tax levy, provides cities $1 per
capita with a minimum funding amount of $5,000 and a maximum funding amount of $65,000 
(same formula as prior funding cycles). The Port also requires a 50% match to ensure cities are 
also committed to project success. 
If funding is authorized, staff will start implementing the 2019 EDP program. The Port will make
the program application for funds available to cities. As participating cities finalize their work
plans, the associated contracts will be approved by the Port.
DETAILS 
In June 2016, the Port of Seattle Commission (POS) created the Economic Development
Partnership (EDP) program to advance local economic development in partnership with cities in
King County. The Commission authorized a second round of EDP program funds in 2017. POS
awarded just over $950,000 to 30 King County cities through the EDP program during the 2017-
2018 funding cycle. During this funding cycle, the Port shifted the EDP program timeline to align
with the calendar year budget cycle after receiving feedback from multiple city partners. 
Continuing with the same project requirement criteria as the prior two funding cycles, the Port
asks that projects submitted by cities in the 2019 funding cycle are aligned with the city's
economic development strategy and support the Port's Century Agenda or business interests. 
Eligible activities include: 
Small business development (including incubator/accelerator projects); 

Template revised April 12, 2018.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _6E___                              Page 2 of 3 
Meeting Date: January 8, 2019 
Business recruitment initiatives designed to attract new companies to a region or city; 
Industry  retention  and  assistance  service  delivery  or  projects  (e.g. workforce
development); 
Tourism development; 
Downtown revitalization; 
Commercial or industrial property development; 
Other community or economic development projects that support new investment and
job creation. 
In the 2017 to 2018 funding cycle, collaboration among cities provided a greater return on
individual city investments. Cities were able to initiate projects previously outside of their
budget and the 2018 grant funds provided a foundation for moving forward on major multiyear
initiatives. 
Support and feedback from the cities continue  to be  overwhelmingly positive and they
enthusiastically anticipate the continuation of the program. 
The Revised Code of Washington article 53.08.245 authorizes the port to engage in economic
development programs. While RCW 53.08.245 specifically permits ports to engage with nonprofit
corporations in furtherance of such programs, it does not address port engagement with
other governmental agencies. 
Another port district statute, RCW 53.08.240 (2) permits the Port to enter into contracts with
other municipal corporations (as well as counties, US government and State). The Interlocal
Cooperation Act, Chapter 39.34 RCW, and specifically RCW 39.34.080, also permit such joint
activity. The general requirement is that in all the joint activities, the two agencies must be able
to exercise the same power separately as they intend to exercise jointly.  RCW 35.21.703
authorizes cities to enter into economic development programs. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The Port  Economic Development Partnership Program is an  initiative that will  cost
approximately $965,000 to implement in 2019. The Port property tax levy will be used to
support the 2019 grant program.
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) 
The Port Economic Development Partnership Program is anticipated to operate annually. It will
likely cost between $950,000 and $1,000,000 per year unless the Commission changes or
eliminates the program.


Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _6E___                              Page 3 of 3 
Meeting Date: January 8, 2019 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
December 11, 2018  The Commission saw a presentation on the results of the 2017-2018
Economic Development Partnership Program and the findings of a draft program
evaluation report completed by Community Attributes Inc. 
June 12, 2018  The Commission approved a specific city grant contract with the city of
Enumclaw. 
November 14, 2017  The Commission approved specific city grant contracts with the cities
of Carnation, Woodinville, Pacific, Bothell, and Lake Forest Park. 
October 10, 2017  The Commission approved specific city grant contracts with the cities of
Auburn,  Bellevue,  Covington,  Kirkland,  Newcastle,  Normandy  Park,  North  Bend,
Redmond, Sammamish, SeaTac, Snoqualmie, and Tukwila. 
September 12, 2017  The Commission approved specific city grant contracts with the cities
of Des Moines, Issaquah, Kenmore, Renton, Shoreline, and Skykomish. 
August 15, 2017  The Commission approved specific city grant contracts with the cities of
Burien, Duvall, Mercer Island, Kent, Federal Way, and Maple Valley. 
June 27, 2017  The Commission saw a presentation on the results of the 2016-2017
Economic Development Partnership Program. 









Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.