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The Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative (SKCEDI) is a cooperative effort to enhance investment and employment opportunities in Southwest King County. SKCEDI is currently implementing two projects: the Small Business Development Center at Highline Community College and the Export Promotion Program. SKCEDI receives its funding from the Initiative partners as well as a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
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The County established a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Highline Community College as a resource center to businesses owners and entrepreneurs seeking assistance in the development or growth of a small business in Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Sea Tac, Tukwila and White Center. This is the first SBDC to provide business assistance to small/medium sized- firms in southwest King County.
The primary emphasis is on one-to-one, intensive and continuous services to existing businesses (core clients) to help them develop or improve their management capacity to achieve a greater level of operations and profitability.
Depending on needs, SBDC staff may refer core clients to technical assistance providers/partners of the Center who provide expertise in specific areas of small business operation and management.
If the SBDC staff determines that a business seeking assistance is not ready for intensive services, he/she will refer the client to other appropriate technical assistance (for example a referral to SCORE an agency which can assist with business start-up).
The SBDC provided one-to-one intensive, tailored counseling to a total of 165 firms in 2004 and the first quarer of 2005. Over this time, the SBDC was responsible for:
- Creating or retaining 45 jobs;
- $610,000 in loans obtained; and
- $776,500 in new equity investment.
The center has an active case load of 43. The majority of clients are finding the Center through extensive marketing, referrals from banks, and the SBDC web site.
In 2004 the SBDC received a "Best New Business of the Year" award from the Southwest Chamber of Commerce.
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SKCEDI's accomplishments include:
- An Expert Panel presented an economic development strategy for Southwest King County to 55 people associated with the Initiative.
- Held Economic Development Roundtable in October, 2002-over 100 people associated with the Initiative attended.
- Formed Executive Committee, first meeting held on November 13, 2002
- Finalized economic development strategy plan submitted to Economic Development Administration (EDA).
- Held an Export Promotion Symposium in 2004.
- Production of an Economic Development Issues/Strategy Matrix which provides a framework in which all future area economic development can occur.
- Supported the SR 509 Extension -demonstrating to the legislature and governor that Southwest King County, the cities, County and the Port are united and speak with one voice about a key infrastructure improvement.
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The impetus for the Southwest King County Economic Development Initiative came in 1998 as a result of mitigation activities associated with the Third SeaTac Runway. A planners' group representing jurisdictions adjacent to the airport met periodically to identify and leverage economic opportunities associated with the airport for the benefit of the community.
Partners include:
- City of Burien
- City of Des Moines
- City of Normandy Park
- City of SeaTac
- City of Tukwila
- Port of Seattle
- Highline Community College
- King County
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