Redmond to accept $120,000 Port of Seattle grant to support entrepreneurship, downtown study and World Cup activations

Planning staff asked the Committee of the Whole on Sept. 2 to place on the Sept. 16 consent agenda acceptance of a Port of Seattle economic development grant for 2025–2026 in the amount of $120,000.

Deputy Director Sarathy Allen introduced Dominique Meeks, the small business assistance program manager, who summarized the grant. Meeks said the Port has provided funding to Redmond since 2016 at roughly $60,000 per year; the 2025–2026 grant is $120,000 and will fund three items: Startup 425 entrepreneurship support, a Downtown Redmond District Development feasibility study (BID exploration) and World Cup 2026 activations and programming aligned with the city’s 2024 economic development strategic plan. Staff said the grant imposes no additional cost to the city’s general fund.

Council members welcomed Meeks and asked whether the funding level is a continuation of the historical amount; Meeks confirmed that the Port’s annual contribution has historically been about $60,000 and that the city expects a different allocation of spending given World Cup programming.

Council president Kritzer said she was “really excited about all the things that are included in this grant, especially the football for all, and programming...looking forward to using this grant to make our community even more vibrant.” The committee had no objections to placing the item on the Sept. 16 consent agenda.