10a South King County Fund Awards
COMMISSION AGENDA MEMORANDUM Item No. 10A ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting December 15, 2020 DATE: December 9, 2020 TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director FROM: Alison Beason, EDI Policy Data Analyst, Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Andy Gregory, Sr Program Manager Environmental Engagement, External Relations SUBJECT: Authorization to Execute the South King County Fund Economic Fund Contracts Amount of this request: $981,881 Total estimated project cost: $981,881 ACTION REQUESTED Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute up to ten (10) contracts through the South King County Economic Recovery Fund, for a combined total not-to-exceed $981,881. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following is a list of 10 recommended projects for funding in the first round of South King County Fund Economic Recovery Grants. These recommendations come following a robust outreach, solicitation, and selection process and with the enthusiastic support of program staff, community reviewers, and senior leadership. The selected projects, organizations, and communities served reflect the rich diversity of South King County. Further, they provide new opportunities to invest in equitable partnerships with key constituents and create pathways to engagement in port-industries for some of the area's most vulnerable and marginalized populations. The projects are in furtherance of the Port's economic development authority, including the recently approved Workforce Development Resolution and Policy Directive, and the Port's statutory authorities including RCW 53.08.245. List of Recommended Projects: African Chamber of Commerce-PNW will work with highly impacted Black-owned businesses to support them on both technical assistance for compliance with the Clean Truck Program and provide Small Business COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Program and Youth and Adults Workshops. This project supports maritime transportation through small-business assistance. African Community Housing & Development will support the African Diaspora immigrant communities in South King County with a pilot program to provide workforce development in the form of education and job application assistance in technical Port-related industries such as construction and aviation. This project falls under the Port's workforce development authority. Template revised January 10, 2019. COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 2 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 Asian Counseling & Referral Services will partner with UFCW Local 21, which represents workers from Hudson News who have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be connected to ACRS employment case management services for culturally competent job search assistance in port-related industries. This project provides workforce development assistance to aviation retail workers. Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) will serve human trafficking survivors and at-risk youth living in the near-airport communities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila. This project will further economic recovery in South King County by delivering employment readiness training, supporting employers in Portrelated industries, and creating paid internships and job opportunities for human trafficking survivors and at-risk youth in Port-related industries. CARES of Washington support people with disabilities and low incomes to realize their purpose, potential, and strength. The Connect for Success project will support BIPOC communities living around Port of Seattle's facilities to enter and successfully complete pre- apprenticeship programs in Port related industries such as construction, green industries, manufacturing and aerospace. This project falls under the Port's workforce development authority. Chief Seattle Club's missionis to provide a sacred space to nurture, affirm and renew the spirit of Urban Native people. In December 2020, Chief Seattle Club's trauma-informed indigenous-designed job training program, Native Works, is launching Sovereignty Farm. Sovereignty Farm is a new urban Indian farm located in Tukwila, with green jobs for homeless American Indian/Alaska Native Apprentices. These apprentices will learn about land and water stewardship, garden design and planning, and invasive species removal, preparing them for green jobs at Port habitat sites on the Duwamish River. El Centro de la Raza will provide extensive outreach, education, and referrals for Latinos and other multi-cultural program participants to relevant pre-apprenticeship programs in portrelated industries such as the construction trades in order to obtain permanent employment. This project will focus on communities surrounding the new Federal Way office. This falls under the Port's workforce development authority and will primarily focus on construction industries. Partners in Employment guarantees the economic security and mentorship to newly arrived refugees and immigrants in South King County. This project will have two tracts, one that provides support services for immigrant job seekers impacted by COVID-19 in the aviation industry, and the other continuing the youth green jobs training program started in the summer of 2020 under the Port's opportunity motion. Puget Sound Welcome Back Center will prepare 30 internationally educated engineers for jobs in construction related fields near the Port of Seattle. Even though many have college degrees, they lack proper credentials to work in the US in their chosen profession. This project removes those barriers by providing resources in port-related industries, including Test Preparation Courses as part of the licensure process for construction related fields, and Strategic Training and Certifications such as Concrete Field Technician, CAD Training and Construction Management courses. Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 3 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 WA Maritime Blue will operate the Maritime Youth Accelerator Project, which aims to provide culturally relevant skills-based learning to prepare young people for livable-wage jobs in the Maritime field. The project is specifically designed for youth of color and opportunity youth from underserved communities, who have an interest in learning about the maritime sector and in designing/developing an entrepreneurial project. WA Maritime Blue has a mission to carry out the Washington State's Strategy for the Blue Economy delivered by Governor Jay Inslee's Maritime Innovation Advisory Council. Through a series of motions, the Commission included directives that integrated equity into the Port's COVID-19 response and economic recovery plan: The Port commits to values of equity, justice, and inclusion in the COVID-19 crisis response, from immediate response to longer-term recovery. In developing recovery plans, the Port will ensure that principles of equity, justice, inclusion, transparency, and accountability are embraced. The Port will engage communities who are most impacted to understand their needs. The Port shall consider its fiscal, legal, and equity responsibilities in all decisions made when applying these principles. (Port of Seattle, Motion 2020-06) These efforts shall also follow the Port's principles of supportingregional economic vitality, environmental stewardship, equity, and inclusion. (Port of Seattle, Motion 2020-07) Increasing equitable access for workers in port-related economic activities, create opportunities for workers to acquire the skills, experience, and education they need to secure increasingly complex and better compensated jobs and careers at the Port and in port-related economic industries and activities; Focus on workforce training and education on Port and port-related economic activities where the greatest gaps and disparity rankings exist; and (Port of Seattle, Resolution 3776) The South King County Economic Recovery Fund infused all these directives in the program development and execution of the 10 contracts recommended for award. BACKGROUND The South King County Fund was created in November 2018 to provide $10 Million in resources to near-airport communities for projects that address airport noise, environmental health, and sustainability. In June 2019, the Commission approved eight guiding principles to further shape the fund. The South King County Fund will: Be used to fund projects in the South King County area: defined as near-airport communities, with other locations considered on a case-by-case basis; Prioritize community input to inform Port decision making; Support Port equity policies and practices; Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 4 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 Provide added benefit to current Port programs; Prioritize projects that are ready to proceed; Build on established programs and commitments to fulfill current obligations; Promote innovation; and, Encourage matching funds where possible. After conducting community engagement with several multicultural stakeholders in South King County, it was clear that economic development was a priority for these communities. Hearing this community feedback and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, in April 2020, the Commission added "Economic Development" as an approved use of the fund. To help identify and define the geographical areas most in need of economic recovery funding, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion developed the Equity Index based on the methodology of the Washington State Tracking Network's Environmental Health Map. The Equity Index ranks all census tracts within King County and equips the Port of Seattle to identify disparities that exist in the County. The Map shows higher concentration of diesel pollutants, lower household incomes, higher unemployment, and many other inequities within several regions of King County. South King County (Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila, in particular) is one of the regions mostly deeply impacted by these disparities. South King County is one of the most diverse areas in King County, with over 95 languages spoken by families in the Highline school district alone. These communities, however, are vulnerable because of a myriad of existing structural and social inequities that disproportionately impact many populations across this area: people of color, women, immigrants, and people with low incomes. These community members have long dealt with issues that challenge their well-being, from poorer health outcomes to lack of access to educational attainment and, consequently, higher-paying jobs. The global health and economic crisis that has risen from the spread of the coronavirus has hit vulnerable communities like these the hardest. The Commission's decision to use the South King County Fund to also address economic recovery is timely and critical. PROGRAM STRUCTURE For the last several months staff have been working in a collaborative and interdisciplinary team, led by External Relations and the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and, which has included representatives from Legal, Central Procurement Office, Aviation Environmental, Finance and Budget, Commission Staff, as well as outside consultants hired for their expertise in multicultural engagement and developing equity-based processes. Between 2020 and Q1 of 2021, the fund will award $1.5 million to be divided into the following three programs: Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 5 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 $1 million for a new Economic Recovery and Workforce Development Grants program with funds supporting non-profit organizations conducting projects in the following four categories: o Small Business Assistance o Workforce Development o Job Creation o Ideation, Network building, Development of New, Innovative Economic Recovery Strategies $250,000 for a new Environmental Grants Program built from the ACE model which services Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila. The new program was launched in October 2020. $250,000 for Port Gen (program of Diversity in Contracting). The Port will expand existing contracts with organizations that support WMBE businesses in South King County as part of the overall Economic Recovery Strategy. The South King County Economic Recovery Grant Program was launched after countless hours of planning, vetting and program development. Its first round was advertised for eight weeks in July and August 2020. Proposals were reviewed by a panel, a model consisting of three voting Port employees and two non-voting community advisors. The incorporation of community advisors was a new process for the Port of Seattle and very much welcomed by the SKCF program managers. These advisors brought professional and lived knowledge and perspectives that informed and advanced the Fund. It was important that these two community advisors are both rooted in near-airport communities and have deep understanding of the ecosystem of nonprofits serving these communities. Their knowledge, perspectives, and expertise were critical to having thoughtful discussions during the review process. The inclusion of community members in the review process is a best practice in communitycentered grantmaking. The advisors helped ground the Port team's decision making. SKCF program managers hope to continue and expand this model. APPLICATION PROCESS Applicants were required to submit their 501 (c) (3) or 501 (c) (6) eligibility status along with a written proposal and an oral presentation. In an effort to provide a more equitable process, oral presentations provided applicants an opportunity to expand on their proposal to the evaluation team. All applicants were evaluated in accordance with the criteria established in the solicitation. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE POOL OF PROPOSALS Submitted proposals highlighted all Port industries (Aviation, Construction, Green Jobs, and Maritime). Many of the proposals focused on the construction industry. This empathizes the region's current shortage of construction workers to undertake the growth seen in Washington State's construction industry. According to the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Plan, construction has the highest rate of projected growth at 4.6%. The industry will need an Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 6 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 additional 7,000 workers from 2018-2023. More than 18% of construction workers in Washington are over age 55, thus the need for trained workers is exacerbated. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) reported in early 2020 that 81% of construction firms have difficulty filling needed positions and 65% of these firms expected hiring would be more difficult in the next year. The Port's support of these types of programs helps provide training and programs within the construction trade to low-income, historically underserved populations, addressing the community's financial needsby providing high skilled family wage careers with benefits, and helps with the shortage of the upcoming shortfall. In addition to the shortage on construction, the pandemic has been devastating to the nearairport communities pertaining to areas of health and unemployment. Youth, historically underrepresented groups, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) have been hit the hardest. These communities have suffered due to COVID-19 by way of temporary or permanent business closures, layoffs, and reduced hours/wages. The South King County Fund Economic Recovery RFP focused on several areas Job Creation, Small Business Assistance, Workforce Development, and Innovative Economic Recovery with many of the proposals focusing on Workforce Development in particular. Over 90 participants attended three information sessions to learn more about the program. Twenty-seven proposals were submitted with requests that totaled $2.475 million. There was a diverse pool of applicants, both non-profit and smaller organizations. After an intensive process that included oral presentations, proposal review, and consensus discussion, The Port evaluation panel is advancing a list of 10 projects for Commission approval. SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS South King County Economy Recovery Proposals Organization Award Amount African Chamber of Commerce- PNW $100,000 African Community Housing & Development $99,902 Asian Counseling & Referral Services $100,000 Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking $100,000 Cares of Washington $91,160 Chief Seattle Club $100,000 El Centro de la Raza $99,985 Partner In Employment $100,000 Puget Sound Welcome Back Center $90,839 WA Maritime Blue $99,995 Totals $981,881.00 Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting). COMMISSION AGENDA Action Item No. 10A____ Page 7 of 7 Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 JUSTIFICATION These ten proposals directly support the Commission Motions that establish the South King County Fund. On April 28, 2020, the Commission added economic development in Motion 2020- 10 as a use for the South King County Fund in support of local recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting South King County and people of color. The jobless rate in immigrant neighborhoods in near airport communities hit 40% in the early months of the pandemic (Crosscut, May 2020), and experts are anticipating that economic recovery could extend as long as five years. Between March 1 and May 16, 2020, the rates of unemployment were 40% for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders; nearly 30% for American Indian/Alaska Natives; 28% for Black residents; and 20% for Hispanic/Latinx workers, according to state data. Unemployment was disproportionately high for most communities of color in comparison to white communities before COVID-19, and the pandemic amplified existing disparities because layoffs and furloughs occurred disproportionately in communities of color. The ten proposals submitted for Commission approval will serve almost 500 adults and over 150 youth. These projects will support economic recovery in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 and create an employment pipeline for the next generation of workers in Port related industries. Schedule All contracts' end dates are 12 months from execution. The following is a summary of expenditures Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds The expenses have been included in the annual operating budget, which is $1.5 million for 2020 and $2.0 million for 2021. The funding source is tax levy. ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST (1) Presentation slides (2) Addendum: Detailed Scope of Work for Recommended Proposals PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS April 28, 2020|Motion 2020-10 The 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. June 25, 2019|Motion 2019-10 The Commission adopting principals to guide outreach and development of the South King County policy. November 27, 2018|Motion 2018-14 The Commission directing the Executive Director to . designating funding in the 2019- 2023 plan of finance for South King County communities; Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
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