Looking to grow your small business? Our Capital Access Program helps businesses thrive by providing financial assistance through principal paydowns on eligible loans.

We work in partnership with community lenders to lower borrowing costs by covering up to 20% of the principal or $30,000, whichever is less. Businesses do not apply for CAP. Eligibility is determined by the lender upon loan approval.

This program is designed to empower small businesses by creating more opportunities for business owners, especially those that haven’t had equitable access to financial services.  

Learn more about CAP and the eligibility requirements.

A big congratulations to Rita Meher and the Tasveer Film Festival and Market for receiving the 2025 Mayor’s Film Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film! 🎉

Rita co-founded Tasveer in 2002 to challenge stereotypes and share South Asian stories through film, art, and storytelling. Through her leadership, the Tasveer Film Festival grew from a single screening at a Seattle bookstore into the only Oscar-qualifying South Asian Film Festival in the world.

In 2024, Rita built on that success to launch the first Tasveer Film Market, bringing filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry professionals from all over the world together. The inaugural event saw 1,200 participants and resulted in securing seven deals.

Learn more about Rita’s achievements in making Seattle a hub for the film industry.

The first-in-the-nation music venue zones are now providing reliable parking and loading spaces for local music venues. Earlier this month, Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled one of the first zones at the Crocodile, providing 24/7 access for parking and loading.

We worked in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation and the Seattle Music Commission to develop a new curbside designation for live music venues. This initiative was driven by feedback highlighting the unique parking and loading challenges faced by performers and venues.

Qualified music venues can now apply for a permit.

There's still time to apply for the Comcast RISE grant program! Applications are due Sunday, May 31. 

Through the Comcast RISE program, businesses operating in King County are eligible for grant packages that include business consultation services, a monetary grant, a technology makeover, and more! Comcast will award 100 small businesses with more than $3 million in grants to help them grow and succeed. 

📝Learn more and apply today. 

There are several learning opportunities coming up for small business owners looking to grow their business:  

• Legal basics for small businesses and preparing for workplace raids. Our partners, Communities Rise, is offering this free, online training. It will walk you through the steps every small business should take to stay organized, compliant, and protected. This training will cover practical legal basics and what you need to do if federal agents visit your small business. This training is Tuesday, June 3, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
• Fuel your business. Network and share resources with Growing Contigo, one of our ABC Program consultants specializing in supporting Spanish language-speaking businesses. This event is Thursday, June 5, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lake City Library.
• How to start a food business in Seattle. Ready to start a food business in Seattle? Join us for a free, bilingual workshop. Learn about food permits, business licenses, and what resources are available for business owners. This workshop is Thursday, June 26, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Library.

Community members are invited to apply for open options on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board.

The 10-member board reviews façade alterations, signage, new construction, changes of use, and street improvements, providing recommendations to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The goal of this board is to preserve what makes Pioneer Square unique while enhancing the neighborhood’s economic climate.

Board members must commit approximately three to six hours per month to board business.

📆 The deadline for applications is Friday, June 6.

Apply to the Pioneer Square Preservation Board.