Mayor Announces Funding for 18 Neighborhood Business Districts
Money will increase city investments in Seattle neighborhoods

Seattle - Mayor Greg Nickels presented funding awards today to 18 Neighborhood Business District Associations throughout Seattle to continue the city’s investments in building healthy communities.

“Our business districts are the economic engines that provide jobs and create the character in our unique neighborhoods around Seattle,” said Mayor Greg Nickels, who presented the awards at a community event in Georgetown. “The city continues to invest and support these important hubs, and thanks the local chambers and merchants associations that work hard to support our local small businesses.”

The Office of Economic Development provided grants totaling $157,495 to 18 neighborhood business organizations.

“The Office of Economic Development is a proud partner of our local neighborhood business districts city-wide,” said Susan Shannon, Director of the Office of Economic Development. “Funding these projects this year will allow 18 of our local business districts to strengthen their local communities, from improving tree pits to supporting special events designed to market their neighborhoods.”

Some examples of the projects funded include: business district promotion, physical improvement and enhancement projects - sidewalk cleaning, tree pit improvements, winter decorations and banners.

The following organizations are recipients of the 2008 Neighborhood Business District Awards:

African Business Association
$10,000
Central Area Chamber of Commerce
$6,000
Chinatown International District BIA
$17,000
Columbia City Business Association
$15,000
Crown Hill Business Association
$4,900
Georgetown Merchants Association
$8,295
Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce
$7,500
Greater University Chamber of Commerce
$9,800
Hillman City Business Association
$9,200
Lake City Chamber of Commerce
$9,400
Madison Valley Merchants Association
$5,200
Magnolia Chamber of Commerce
$3,000
Northgate Chamber of Commerce
$6,700
Pioneer Square Community Association
$6,500
Rainier Chamber of Commerce
$9,000
SODO Business Association
$10,000
South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce
$10,000
West Seattle Junction Association
$10,000

Total Amount of Awards:
$157,495

Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.

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Office of the Mayor