New Climate Hub, bright lights, funding opportunities

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/30/2025 03:20 PM PST

🌿 Introducing the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub 🌿

Markham takes an "ussie" of group attending SCIH opening

We proudly launched the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub this month – the first space in Downtown Seattle dedicated to developing and investing in technology to fight climate change.

In partnership with the University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs, 9Zero, and VertueLab, this collaborative hub will be a dynamic space for innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs working to address the climate crisis. This hub will advance green technology while supporting the revitalization of Downtown.

Read about the new climate hub and how it’ll help grow Seattle’s green economy.

Downtown is You!

OED is one of several departments involved in the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan, which seeks to revitalize the heart of Seattle. Check out the Plan and get involved at downtownisyou.com. You can also join the Good News Downtown mailing list.

Good News Downtown with website over Seattle skyline

Good News, Delivered 🗞️

All the good news and fun events happening Downtown, right in your inbox. Our Good News Downtown has a new look! The weekly newsletter showcases uplifting, interesting stories about the activities and people in Downtown.

Join the list

Lighting Up the C-ID 💡

New lights are illuminating parts of the Chinatown-International District. The new overhead and tree lights support a safe, vibrant environment for all. The lights will be on year-round and can change color for neighborhood and citywide festivities.

New lighting

Gearing Up for World Cup ⚽

Less than 500 days until the FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off in Downtown Seattle! To celebrate, the local planning committee announced the World Cup Small Business Initiative. This initiative aims to make businesses share in the benefit of Seattle hosting the World Cup.

World Cup Initiative

new artwork along the waterfront at night

Art Honoring Tradition 🌊

New permanent artwork now stretches along the Waterfront. Created in collaboration with carvers from the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Tribes, the project honors the Salish tradition of carved house posts. The art invites visitors to reflect on the longhouse’s history and imagine vibrant Indigenous futures along the Salish Sea.

Waterfront Artwork

Artists Fill Studios 🎨

Through Seattle Restored, 15 artists and creative entrepreneurs are now in studio spaces in Base Camp Studios 2.

Located in the historic Bergman Luggage building at Third Avenue and Stewart Street, Base Camp Studios 2 is a multipurpose creative space. The first floor serves as a gallery and retail space, while the second floor offers artist studios. Seattle Restored subsidized 50% of the current market rate rent for 15 of these studios.

By providing affordable studio space, Seattle Restored is helping creatives grow their careers while creating a unique Downtown retail experience.

Learn about the artists.

City and State Opportunities and Resources

Funding for Commercial Real Estate 🏬

Join the Seattle District Small Business Association to learn about programs helping small businesses fund commercial real estate projects. The webinar will cover loan programs, what lenders look for when reviewing applications, and available resources. This is part of an ongoing, free webinar series for small business owners.

🗓️ Wednesday, February 12, 10 – 11 a.m.

Food Equity Grant Applications

Group of people stand around bags of food

Photo: Dept. of Neighborhoods

Community-based organizations working to address food insecurity and promote health and wellbeing are encouraged to apply for the Food Equity Fund Grant. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods program invests in community-led work that contributes to an equitable and sustainable food system.

🗓️ Application deadline: March 17, 2025

Read the requirements and apply today.

Volunteer to Help the Community

a group of seattle and king county clinic volunteers smiling at the camera

Thousands of people in our community don’t have access to or can’t afford the healthcare they need. You can help by volunteering for the Seattle/King County Clinic.

The nation’s largest community-driven free clinic of its kind offers a wide range of dental, vision, medical, and social services to people in need. Clinical and non-clinical volunteer roles are available.

🗓️ April 24 – 27, 2025
📍Seattle Center

Learn more and sign up.