Goal: Support existing businesses and encourage new investment to preserve and grow the multi-ethnic mix of local entrepreneurs and improve availability shopping, services and jobs

1. Increase support to immigrant businesses – City is working to increase access to financial and technical assistance for immigrant-owned businesses. (Office of Economic Development)
   
2. Increase assistance to ‘Green’ ethnic businesses – City will increase technical and financial assistance to business owners and operators with limited English for energy and water efficiency, recycling and waste prevention, hazardous materials reductions and storm water pollution prevention. Outreach in 2005 will focus on restaurants and bakeries with a major emphasis in Southeast Seattle. (Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, and Office of Sustainability and Environment)
   
3. Increase amounts available for façade improvements – City has increased the maximum amount to $25,000 that is available through the City’s Façade Improvement program to Southeast Seattle businesses and property owners. (Office of Economic Development)
   
4. Use wireless and high speed internet access to spur business growth and development – City has identified the Columbia City business node along Rainier Avenue (S. Alaska to S. Dawson) as the initial Wi-Fi access area. City has completed engineering design work and will work with the Rainier Chamber of Commerce on developing an implementation plan. (Department of Information Technology)
   
5. Assist in community marketing campaign – City has provided $20,000 for a marketing campaign to promote the Rainier Valley and its businesses. (Office of Economic Development)