More than $1.2 Million to be Invested in Neighborhood Economic Recovery – SPD Blotter

Applications areopenforawards up to $100,000 throughthe new Neighborhood Economic RecoveryFundfor community-led projects to reignite the local economy.

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and theSeattle Office of Economic Development (OED)announced theNeighborhood Economic Recovery Fund,which will support community-led strategiessuch as public and commercialspaceactivation, digitalequity, outreach and other economic recoveryprojectstorespond to the specific economic and community needs of neighborhoods across Seattle, with an intentional focus on racial equity.In total, the Office of Economic Developmentwill invest more than $6millionthrough direct grants to neighborhood business district organizations and othercommunity-basedorganizations through a public request for proposal.

Throughthe Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund established under the American Rescue Plan Act,$1.2million is availablethrough therequest for proposal process.Eligibleapplicants include business, community, cultural or artsorganizations, cultural districts,andsmall businesses such as community event producers, artists, consultants or a collection of individuals supporting neighborhood strategies with broadly shared benefits.Grants will fund recovery strategies and activities such as:

The inequities and disparities we saw exacerbated by COVID were seen in the experiences of individuals and families and collectively at the neighborhood level, said Pamela Banks, Interim Director of Office of Economic Development. In order for Seattle to have a truly inclusive economy, we mustprovide substantial recovery investments for our neighborhoodsparticularly those who experienced the greatest economic, health and social devastationto help our communities, businesses, and residents recover and thrive. This investment seeks to do just that by partnering with our organizations already doing this work and welcoming the new ideas of others that arewillingand ready to contribute to our collective recovery efforts!

Eligible applicants can submit project proposals to theNeighborhood Economic Recovery Fund RFPfor awards up to $100,000. Selection of awardees and final grant amounts will be based on the following criteria:

Proposals are due to byWednesday, October7, 2021, at 5 p.m.The SeattleOffice ofEconomicDevelopmentwill also host three information sessions for interested applicants to describe the intent of this funding opportunity and answer questions regarding eligible activities, the application process and how to use the online grant portal. The online information sessions will be hosted onWebex.

If you needaccommodations,assistance or interpretationto completethe applicationor at theinformation session, please contact the Seattle Office of Economic Development atoed@seattle.govor(206) 684-8090.

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More than $1.2 Million to be Invested in Neighborhood Economic Recovery - SPD Blotter