In our excitement to share this month's newsletter, we included the wrong link for the Seattle Restored applications. 🫣 We've checked our list twice, and the correct link is now updated. 😎 Happy holidays! 

The broken (L) and fixed (R) door at Sugar Sugar Spa

Funding available for small businesses impacted by property damage

There’s still time to get your application in for the Back to Business program! This program helps small businesses impacted by vandalism or property damage, as well as those looking to make investments to prevent future damage.

The Storefront Repair Fund offers reimbursements to help businesses recover the cost of fixing damages. The Storefront Security Fund reimburses owners for the cost of improving security.

💬 Sugar Sugar Spa used the Storefront Repair Fund to help cover the cost to repair their broken front door and windows. Co-owner Claudia McGinnis noted that being a small business owner can be a rollercoaster but, “programs like [Back to Business] and the support we got, that helps us keep going.”

📖 Learn more about the Back to Business program and apply today.

Turning pain into purpose 💜🍬

Mama Row’s Caramel is more than a business to owner Jonathan Hudson – it’s a tribute to his late mother, Rhonda.

Rhonda (aka Mama Row) taught Jonathan how to make caramel when he was young, inspiring his lifelong passion of cooking. After she passed away from cancer in 2018, Jonathan decided to honor her legacy and created Mama Row’s Caramel.

Now Jonathan is operating a pop-up through Seattle Restored in Lake City. This program is designed for entrepreneurs like him, providing financial and technical support to help small businesses grow.

📖 Read how Seattle Restored is setting up Jonathan for future success.

Supporting Seattle’s business districts 🤝🏡

In many Seattle neighborhoods, Business Improvement Areas are the on-the-ground support maintaining the things that make each neighborhood special. ✨ There are 11 BIAs in Seattle, each formed and funded by the local businesses and property owners within its boundaries. The assessments, self-determined by the ratepayers, are used to fund services and programs tailored to the district’s unique needs. 📖 Learn more about the work BIAs do to support Seattle’s business districts.

New system for securing a special event permit 💻🖱️

Planning an event? Our new permitting software, Eproval, will make it easier to apply for your special events permit. The shift to the online application and permitting system modernizes and streamlines all aspects of the process.

This new system makes it even easier for organizers to upload required documents, check the status of their application, and duplicate previous applications for reoccurring events.

This change stems from the recommendations we received to make the permitting process easier and more equitable.

📖 Read about Eproval and start planning your event.

City and State opportunities and resources

Shape the future of clean tech 💚🍃

Calling all climate tech startups – there’s still time to apply for the CoMotion Labs Climate Tech Incubator 2026 cohort! Located in the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, the Incubator is a six-month cohort-based program supporting startups tackling the climate crisis and promoting green technology growth. Benefits include access to funding opportunities, mentorships, resources and facilities, and more! 📆 Deadline: Wednesday, December 31 📝 Submit an application for the 2026 cohort.

National Small Business Week awards

Shine the spotlight on a local small business! ✨ The Small Business Administration Seattle District is looking for nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards.

There are five categories this year:

• Small Business Person of the Year
• Exporter of the Year
• 8(a) Graduate of the Year
• Rural Small Business of the Year
• Microenterprise of the Year

You can nominate a business owner that deserves to be celebrated or even nominate your own business. Local winners will go on for a chance to receive regional and national recognition.

📆 Deadline: Monday, December 22

📝 Submit your nomination today.

Applications open for seasonal park concessionaires

Seattle Parks and Recreation is looking for licensed businesses to offer concessions in select city parks in 2026. The request for proposals is open to both food concessions and non-food concessions like kayak rentals, face painting, or henna. 

Selected businesses will receive a Seasonal Concession permit to operate in parks like Alki Beach, Cal Anderson, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, and several lifeguarded swimming beach locations.

📆 Deadline: Friday, February 6 by 3 p.m.

📝 Submit your application.