Reflecting on our work in 2025 🎉

That’s a wrap on another productive year. As we start the new year, we’re looking back at some of our favorite moments and accomplishments from 2025:

• 🏬We launched the Back to Business Program, helping 194 local businesses.
• 🛍️We expanded Seattle Restored to Lake City, activating 72 pop-ups across Seattle.
• 🚧Through our Tenant Improvement Program, we awarded $1.7 million to 45 businesses.
• 💻We launched AI House and the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, creating spaces for networking and collaboration.

As we reflect on all we accomplished last year, we want to thank everyone who made it possible – our community, partners, City staff, and you.

We’re excited for 2026 and are committed to driving even more positive change.

✨Check out highlights from 2025.

Lights 💡Camera 🎥 Seattle! 

Independent film Cheap AF took over the Vue Lounge in Belltown last fall, transforming the venue into a classroom, a restaurant, and a wedding venue.

Film production in Seattle is a driver of our local economy. When films choose Seattle as their location, they hire locally. Last year, film production created 4,000 unique, high-paying jobs across the creative industries.

Crew working on Cheap AF shared how commercial and narrative productions keep them busy year-round, allowing opportunities to work in the film industry without leaving Washington. To ensure the film community can thrive, our office works to keep Seattle film friendly.

How we shaped the permitting process to bring more productions to Seattle.

Creating a greener future 🌿🚗

The Seattle Climate Innovation Hub turns one today! The Climate Hub is a central place for innovators to meet, network, and develop businesses and technologies that aim to solve the climate crisis.  Meet Blue Dot Motorworks. Founded by Tom Gurksi, the startup is turning conventional cars into plug-in hybrid ones. This technology aims to lower greenhouse gases by retrofitting gas-powered cars with a bolt-on electric propulsion system. At the Climate Hub, Tom is getting support, mentorship, and community he needs to grow his business. We opened the Climate Hub in partnership with the University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs, 9Zero, and Vertue Lab to incubate, support, and nurture climate tech combating climate change. Read more about the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub: Seattle Climate Innovation Hub fosters collaboration to combat climate change. Washington’s Climate Innovation Hub proves the green economy is here to stay.

City and State Opportunities and Resources

Additional funding for Back to Business

We are expanding the Back to Business Program this year with an additional $3.3 million in funding. This program helps small businesses impacted by vandalism or property damage, as well as those looking to make investments to prevent future damage.

We offer support through two different programs:

• Storefront Repair Fund: Reimbursements to help businesses recover the costs for fixing damages from vandalism or other property damages.
• Storefront Security Fund: Reimbursements to business owners to cover the cost of improving security.

📅 Applications are open through December 2026, or until funds run out.

📝 Learn more and apply today.

Funding for neighborhood projects

Applications are now open for the Neighborhood Matching Fund, an investment in projects that bring people together and make neighborhoods more vibrant and welcoming.

The Department of Neighborhoods offers two funding opportunities through the Matching Fund:

• The Community Partnership Fund offers awards of up to $50,000 for bigger projects, like community organizing, public art, cultural events, and building community facilities.
• The Small Sparks Fund provides up to $5,000 for neighborhood clean-ups, block parties, workshops, and other projects that bring neighbors together.

There will be two virtual workshops for those interested in applying for funding on Saturday, January 24 and Wednesday, February 6. Applications for the Community Partnership Fund are due at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. Small Sparks Fund applications are accepted as they are submitted through Friday, October 30.

Learn more about the Neighborhood Matching Fund.

Get World Cup ready! ⚽

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce released its Small Business Readiness Playbook. Made in partnership with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026, this is your go-to guide for preparing events during the FIFA Men’s World Cup later this year with confidence.

The playbook details how big events work, who is involved at every level of governments, and what steps you can take now to stay open, compliant, and ready to welcome customers during the matches.

FIFA Men’s World Cup business resources.