Unincorporated King County Economic Alliance
Unincorporated King County Economic Alliance
The Unincorporated King County Economic Alliance program has officially concluded. We are deeply grateful to all our community members, partners, and businesses who participated and contributed to its success.
While this program has ended, the Department of Local Services remains committed to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and strengthening our regional workforce. Please visit Economic development - King County, Washington for support or resources related to economic development and small business assistance.
Background on the Economic Alliance
The Department of Local Services sought to tangibly support the local economic recovery in unincorporated King County by working with community leaders to reduce barriers to economic growth experienced by those most vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
After King County received a COVID-19 Recovery Fund distribution directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the County Council dedicated $5.25 million of this funding to create an Economic Alliance in the county’s unincorporated areas. Its purpose was to help businesses in the region recover from the economic impacts of the COVID public health emergency by coordinating the region’s resources and providing three recovery programs (Career Connector, Business Builder, and Community Innovator, described below).
United for a Community-Led Economy, a partnership of the White Center Community Development Association, Comunidad Latina De Vashon, and the Skyway Coalition, was selected to operate these programs.
The programs provided community-based, low-barrier, and high-support entrepreneurial and career training, microbusiness incubation, small business technical assistance, and consultation for individuals and businesses most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 in unincorporated King County. They used on-the-ground outreach, community resource navigation, and accessible economic engagement strategies to identify and support the businesses and individuals in the county’s unincorporated areas that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. They reached businesses and areas that have been historically marginalized, such as those owned by or serving people who are black or indigenous, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, immigrants or refugees, and those with low incomes, limited English, or disabilities.
Past Economic Alliance Programs
Career Connector
- Living wage career and entrepreneurial training
- Individualized career navigation
- Subsidized employment and job training opportunities
Community Innovator
- Small-business incubation, including skills training, mentorship, coaching, and financial support
Business Builder
- Small business coaching and mentorship in accounting, tax, legal, real estate, business administration, information technology, human resources,marketing, and more.