The City of Kent has received a $65,000 grant from the Port of Seattle to support local community economic development activities.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kent plans to use the funds, along with a local match, to execute a multi-level program to support and expand Kent’s food entrepreneur business community, working with the Food Innovation Network and Green River College’s Small Business Development Center.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The program will provide below-market-rate commercial kitchen incubator space and business training for food entrepreneurs and launch a social enterprise café serving international foods and hold eight to 10 downtown pop-up dining events featuring diverse cuisines.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“Good paying jobs bring healthy families and communities, and to support this workforce and business development, the Port of Seattle is committed to partnering with local governments and cities,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Tom Albro, who was a guest speaker at a Kent Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Golden Steer Steak ‘n Rib House last Friday. “Kent has an innovative approach to expanding food resources with this grant, and we look forward to seeing the results.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Port is offering more than $962,000 to cities in King County as matching funds. Based on population, each city receives between $5,000 and $65,000 for the following eligible activities:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Business recruitment initiatives designed to attract new companies to a region or city<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Small business development<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Industry retention and expansion assistance<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Tourism development<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Downtown revitalization<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Commercial or industrial property development<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
• Other community or economic development projects that support new investment and job creation<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
About the Port of Seattle<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Founded in 1911, the Port of Seattle owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, two cruise ship terminals, a grain terminal, four public marinas, and manages a number of real estate assets for financial return and economic advantage. The Port’s operations currently help create nearly 200,000 jobs and $7 billion in wages throughout the region.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Over the next 21 years, the Port’s “Century Agenda” seeks to create an additional 100,000 jobs through economic growth while becoming the nation’s leading green and energy-efficient port.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n