Port of Seattle Commissioners focused on equitable recovery initiatives at Tuesday’s Commission meeting, extending relief for airport businesses hit hard by the ongoing pandemic and receives an annual report documenting the Port’s progress to ensure equality in contracting opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses.
As one of the region’s largest public builders, the Port of Seattle’s construction contracts create opportunities that provide a major source of business revenue for local firms. The Port’s second annual Diversity in Contracting report provides a transparent and timely assessment of efforts to ensure equality in contracting opportunities. The 2020 report revealed progress despite challenges from the pandemic and makes recommendations for taking larger strides.
As part of its outreach and technical assistance efforts the Port recently launched a new women and minority-owned business accelerator in partnership with Find Ventures. The Port’s first-ever PortGen Accelerator will accept applications for this intensive two-month business development program until May 15. Businesses accepted into this inaugural cohort will access mentorship and programs that help them pursue the Port’s contracting opportunities.
“The Port Commission has worked hard over the last several years to bring into the airport local, women and minority-owned businesses that reflect the Pacific Northwest culture. The loss of air passengers has been incredibly hard on them and we want to see them succeed,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. “Our equitable recovery strategy led us to focus first on those hardest hit industries and most vulnerable communities. We expand the whole economy by fixing economic inequities and helping women and minority-owned businesses connect to the recovery.”
“We appreciate the effort and consideration the Port of Seattle Commission has provided to better understand the difficulties our businesses have experienced during these challenging times,” said Kathy Casey, owner of Dish D’Lish, Rel’Lish Burger Lounge and Lucky Louie Fish Shack and co-founder of the SBAAC (Small Business Airport Action Committee). “These actions will continue to provide an opportunity for economic recovery and will be especially helpful for small, women, and minority businesses and our ability to provide the excellent customer services our travelers deserve as we see passenger traffic volumes return.”
Airport dining and retail businesses, taxi drivers, and rental car businesses experienced steep and extended drops in business revenue when travel from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport declined by more than 60 percent last year. On Tuesday Commissioners authorized extended relief packages that reduce and delay charges that the airport is legally required to collect from qualified tenants operating on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport property.
“By taking these initiatives during such challenging times, the Port reaffirms its commitment to remaining a major economic engine for the region,” said Executive Director Steve Metruck.
In addition to the Port’s own initiatives, this year the Commission supported recently passed legislation sponsored by Washington State Senator Karen Keiser and Representative Mia Gregerson to address a wage inequity for employees of Flight Kitchens who were omitted from the $15 minimum wage ordinance approved by the City of SeaTac in 2015. The legislation SB5385 clarifies that airports with an annual average of 20 million passenger enplanements may set a minimum labor standard for workers performing airline catering work.
“Now that SB5385 has passed and is awaiting Governor Inslee’s signature, the Port Commission will be introducing a resolution on April 27th to begin the process needed to assure these predominantly minority workers are paid equitably,” said Commission President Fred Felleman.
In addition to the abovementioned efforts to spur economic recovery in response to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Port is seeking public engagement to suggest ways our 2022 budget can help the region rebound.
The Port of Seattle Commission invites public feedback on its ongoing strategy to connect our region to an equitable recovery.
While the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption across our economy and society, the Port of Seattle, in collaboration with our business and community partners, is uniquely positioned to help connect our region to recovery.
Central to our efforts is building on our strategies to advance innovation, protect the environment, and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion so that the Port’s economic investments benefit all communities.
Members of the public can provide feedback to the Commission by responding to these questions:
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.