Celebrating Small Business Community Investment in King County
In May, we had the tremendous honor of celebrating the 89 small businesses and nonprofits from across King County who were the recipients of our Small Business Investment Grant and Workforce Accelerator Grant.
Hosted in partnership with the Rainier Beach Action Coalition, a longtime community partner and trusted anchor in South Seattle, the ceremony was part of their Walk the Block Party which brought together business owners, nonprofit leaders, and community-based organizations for a day of recognition, connection, and reflection.
Centering the Power of Small Businesses
Small businesses don’t just fuel our economy, they carry the culture, creativity, and lived experiences of the communities they serve. This is especially true for businesses rooted in Black, Latine, urban Indian/Tribal, and communities of color, which have long driven innovation and opportunity often in the face of historic and systemic barriers.
The grants, funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project, supported these businesses with employee training, paid internships, new hire subsidies, and business capacity building, providing critical tools to help them grow and sustain their work. We’ve heard firsthand how meaningful this support has been. This funding didn’t just help businesses stay open - it helped them thrive.
Honoring Community and Partnership
As a workforce intermediary, WDC recognizes that we cannot and should not do this work alone. Community connection and trust are essential. We were grateful to Rainier Beach Action Coalition for hosting and co-creating this event with us, and Senator Rebecca Saldaña for celebrating with us.
As one of our staff shared about the event: “It feels good for people to walk into a space, be welcomed by someone who looks like them, who’s had similar experiences. That kind of connection matters.”
This gathering reminded us: we are not just funding businesses — we are building networks, creating space for shared learning, and moving together toward more equitable economic systems.
What’s Next?
While this round of funding has ended, our work continues. The WDC remains committed to:
Connecting small businesses with additional resources through our Business Services Team
Listening deeply to the needs of businesses and communities to guide future strategic initiatives
Advocating for policy and funding that reinvests in communities most impacted by systemic injustice
Collaborating across sectors to ensure inclusive, community-led economic development
We invite all small business leaders to stay connected with us. Share your feedback, access our resources, and join us as we continue building a more equitable workforce system for all.
From all of us at WDC, thank you to the business and nonprofit leaders who show up every day to build opportunity and resilience in our communities. We’re honored to be part of your journey.
Photography credit: Kariba Photography.
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