COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                Item No.       4b 
ACTION ITEM                    Date of Meeting    November 8, 2016 
DATE:    October 31, 2016 
TO:     Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   David McFadden, Managing Director, Economic Development Division 
SUBJECT:  Approve Port Economic Development Partnership Applications Round 4 
Amount of this request:            $81,770 
Total estimated project cost:         $919,625 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for Chief Executive Officer to execute Economic
Development Partnership Program contracts with the cities of Black Diamond, Federal Way,
Pacific, and Skykomish for a total amount not to exceed $81,770. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The following cities have completed their partnership application and staff is recommending
the Port execute contracts with these jurisdictions. Staff has reviewed each application and is
confident each local initiative is impactful and ties to Port business interests. This round of
applications brings the total of recommended partnership grants to 31 cities. This is the final
round of grant applications for Commission approval. 
City Applications 
Black Diamond $5,000 
Install way finding signs to help direct the public to local businesses and increase customers and
revenue. 
Federal Way $65,000 
Develop and implement print and digital marketing campaign targeted at site selectors,
developers and commercial property professionals to attract 10-20 new businesses to the city.
Execute a business recruitment program to identify prospects and make contact with key
company executives. Expand the business retention effort to contact 25 local businesses and
provide business assistance tailored to the business needs. 
Pacific $6,770 
Update city website with new data and images promoting the city to existing and new
businesses. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 4b                     Page 2 of 4 
Meeting Date: November 8, 2016 
Skykomish $5,000 
Design and install a historic signage plan that would serve as a walking tour of the town and
provide historic information on the town and significant buildings. 
JUSTIFICATION 
In June the Commission created a new economic development grant fund which provides 38
King County cities per capita funding to advance local economic development throughout the
region. Annual grant funding is being provided on a $1 per capita formula with a maximum of
$65,000 while ensuring each city receives at least $5,000. 
The new grant fund is structured to drive meaningful outcomes: 
(1)   Provide some flexibility to define local economic development projects 
(2)   Tie to economic development (ideally the Century Agenda's although, not required) 
(3)   Require a 50 percent local match to ensure cities are also committed to project
success 
(4)   Port staff held three application workshops to promote the new program. Staff also
connected with cities via email and responded to numerous questions from
municipalities. 
The Port's new Port Economic Development Partnership Program grant program helps address
the lack of economic development funding for local projects.
The Partnership Program supports the Port of Seattle's Century Agenda vision of adding
100,000 jobs through economic growth. Grant funds have been extended to 38 city partners in
King County in order to create a larger collaborative team effort working to create middle class
jobs within the region. Through purposeful contracts with local governments, the Port is able
to extend its economic development reach to all parts of King County.
The Port Economic Development Partnership Program also honors the Port's commitment to
create economic opportunity for all, partner with surrounding communities, and promote social
responsibility. The new grant program can also help: 
(1)   Position the Puget Sound region as a premier international logistics hub 
(2)   Advance this region as a leading tourism destination and business gateway 
(3)   Promote small business growth and 
(4)   Anchor Puget Sound urban-industrial land use to prevent sprawl in less developed
areas. 



Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 4b                     Page 3 of 4 
Meeting Date: November 8, 2016 
DETAILS 
The Port Economic Development Partnership Program will help the Port advance regional
economic vitality through focused partnerships with King County cities. Grants will be made to
each city to pursue programs and projects that stimulate business development, job creation
and community revitalization. Each participating city may in turn contract with local nonprofits
(ex. Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Bureau, etc.) to carry out specific initiatives. Port Economic
Development Partnership Programs can be used to support the following economic
development activities: 
(1)   Business recruitment initiatives designed to attract new companies to a region or
city 
(2)   Small business development (including incubator/accelerator projects) 
(3)   Industry retention and expansion assistance (ex. Maritime, Aerospace, etc.) 
(4)   Tourism development 
(5)   Downtown revitalization 
(6)   Commercial or industrial property development 
(7)   Other community or economic development projects that support new investment
and job creation. 
The Revised Code of Washington section 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, U.S. government and State). The Interlocal
Cooperation Act, Chapter 39.34 RCW, and specifically RCW 39.34.080, also permits 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. 
These statutes allow the Port to make funds available to King County cities for the purpose of
advancing programs that are consistent with Port related/authorized activities. Contracts or
interlocal agreements will identify the specific obligations of each party (and the specific use of
the Port funds) to ensure that partnerships and initiatives pursued are appropriate. 
Port staff has taken multiple steps to implement the new Port Economic Development
Partnership Program grant program authorized in June: 
(1)   Publicized grant fund development and purpose 
(2)   Developed a simple four-page grant application 
(3)   Publicized and conducted three application workshops for cities and their partners 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. 4b                     Page 4 of 4 
Meeting Date: November 8, 2016 
(4)   Worked with Strategic Initiatives and Legal Department to develop model
agreements and resolutions each city would use to implement partnerships 
(5)   Answered numerous questions from partner cities about the program and 
(6)   Met one-on-one with city staff. 
Schedule 
June 14          Commission Authorization 
June 14          Public information about Port Economic Development Partnership
Program made available 
June-July          Application workshops 
August through 
November 2016   Agreements negotiated and approved with King County Cities 
June 2016 through 
May 2017       Project implementation 
May 2017        Project evaluation 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The Port Economic Development Partnership Program is a new initiative which is budgeted at a
cost of $962,435 to implement in 2016. The Port property tax levy will be used to support the
initial 2016 grant program.
Lifecycle Cost and Savings 
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.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
October 11, 2016  The Commission approved fifteen city applications in the amount of
$411,170. 
September 27, 2016  The Commission approved three city applications in the amount of
$132,350. 
August 23, 2016  The Commission approved nine city applications in the amount of
$294,335. 
June 14, 2016   The Commission authorized the establishment of the Economic
Development Partnership Program. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.