The Port of Seattle & the EDC – A Natural and Long-Standing Partnership

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Originally published by the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County in EDC Economic Insight – Q4 2015

Ever since its creation in 1911, the Port of Seattle has worked to develop infrastructure to support our region and state’s trade-dependent economy. From piers and marinas, to conference centers and cruise ports, not to mention Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Port of Seattle’s contributions to our region cannot be ignored. In case you missed it, the Port of Seattle is one of the key economic drivers in our region, impacting about 40% of Washington State’s economy in some way.

Birthed out of progressive reform, the Port was established to preserve economic assets for the greater good of the region, preventing private rail and shipping corporations from maintaining control. Although controversial at its inception, the Port became a mainstay “public enterprise” that continues to have a significant impact on our region.

Today, the Port of Seattle is King County’s only port, supporting Washington State’s most populous county which has nearly half of the state’s jobs. One of its current key initiatives is safeguarding middle class jobs. Port Commissioner and EDC Executive Committee member, Tom Albro, considers himself and other commissioners “urban middle class advocates” who are aggressively addressing the shrinking middle class. The Port is a critical leader in the preservation and growth of key legacy economic clusters, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing and Maritime & Logistics, while it also rapidly responds to dramatic growth, historic activity at SeaTac Airport, and technology-driven innovation and new opportunities.

Over its more than century-long history, the Port of Seattle has become a center of economic development. According to a 2013 economic impact study, the Port generated more than 216,000 jobs and $4.2 billion of direct wages and salaries. This is where the valuable partnership with the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County (EDC) comes in.

Together, the Port and the EDC build strong coalitions to drive economic vitality across King County. We work in concert to support companies expanding their real estate footprint and to recruit new companies locating within the region, with a focus on community priorities and job creation. The Port has prioritized working collaboratively with the EDC and cities to leverage its real estate holdings and significant financing tools for economic development that benefits individual communities and the entire region. The most recent example of our collaborative relationship, in partnership with several others, is the opening of Greencore Group’s facility at the Port’s Des Moines Creek Business Park, which has seen significant recent leasing activity. Commissioner Albro refers to the EDC as “the place where transactions happen.” Through its cluster-driven, client-focused approach, the EDC often acts as a broker and connector between a company and the real estate community, whether that be a property owner, such as the Port or a municipality, a real estate firm, and/or a property developer. As the only public-private economic development partnership encompassing King County, the EDC naturally makes these connections.

Economic development requires extensive collaboration: between property owners and real estate brokers, between municipalities and economic development organizations, and between those who provide and deliver infrastructure, talent and services to address business’ needs, but most of all, between the company and the region in which it wants to conduct business. The seamless coordination between several partnering entities is vital to the success of a company doing business here. The Port’s commitment to collaboration helps our region’s economic development engine run. And as the Port of Seattle’s CEO, Ted Fick puts it, when we all collaborate, 2+2=5 (commonly known as “Ted’s Math”).

Let’s Build Safer Communities

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Last Saturday night, I was assaulted by three men after helping to break up a four-on-one fight outside of Lil Woody’s restaurant on Capitol Hill. This resulted in a black eye, severe swelling, a concussion, and a broken cheek bone (I’m booked for surgery next Thursday to correct it). However, this is not the message I wish to share.

Instead, I wish to shed light on the value of health and safety. It’s unbelievable how quickly life can shift and we can’t afford to lose sight of what’s important. I risked my health to do what I thought was right. I don’t regret that for a second. I do, however, regret the sad and violent state of our local communities. My experience has only brought about recent memories of similar, if not more violent, occurrences from my friends and family. My point being, I’m not the only one.

Contrary to popular belief, I do not seek revenge. I refuse to contribute to the statistic of 18-30 year-old minority males who exhibit violent behavior that resulted in my current condition. My sense of justice is not “an eye for an eye,” but rather, lesson learned and action taken. I’m asking for your assistance in taking said action.

It’s time to step up and affect change in our increasingly dangerous backyards. House by house, neighborhood by neighborhood, let’s all take strides to build safer communities. It’s not worth risking our collective health and safety to sit in silence. Please help me in sharing this message.

Take care and be safe.

No Falls, New Shoes, And A Change in Perspective

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Over the weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with the Special Olympics of Washington [SOWA]. Little did I know at the time, it would be one of the most impactful experiences I’ve felt.

Three months ago, my friend, Cary, invited me to join her and coworkers at Cobalt Mortgage in volunteering for SOWA. At the time, I thought it would be a fun and rewarding experience. As we arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McCord on a beautiful Saturday and learned our roles in the Post-Race Staging area on the track, my beliefs were confirmed. Our duties included cheering on athletes as they approached the finish line, escorting them to the cool-down tent, and providing water, before taking them to their award ceremonies.

Sounds fun and rewarding, right? It wasn’t until the races began that I realized this experience would be so much more. I’d like to take you through two interactions that rendered “fun” and “rewarding” insignificant:

First, I met a SOWA veteran participating in the female 100-meter assisted-walk. As she hustled toward the finish, the competition proved much quicker and passed her by. I greeted her as she crossed the finish line in last place, thinking I’d be met with disappointment. Instead, I was met with a bright smile and multiple high-fives. Before I could utter one encouraging word, she exclaimed, “I didn’t fall! I fall every year, but didn’t this time!” Regardless of her standing in the race, she was a winner.

Next, I met one of the more enthusiastic athletes racing in the male 100 meter dash. He crossed the finish line in 7th place, but seemed to have plenty to celebrate. I raised a hand for a high-five only to receive the most endearing bear hug that nearly drove us both to the ground. After the heartwarming embrace, I asked him how he ran so fast. He pointed to the ground and said, “it’s the shoes.” I peaked down to see a sharp, brand new pair of running shoes, fit for a proud winner.

Throughout the day, I shared high-fives, big smiles, and moments of pure, uninhibited joy. I forgot that most of the athletes were entirely dependent upon loved ones and caregivers to get through each day. I forgot only because they forgot. During those rare and exceptional moments, all that mattered was quite simple:

Finish the race without falling…Strut a new pair of shoes…Share in a moment of pure, uninhibited joy with someone waiting at the finish line.

Perhaps, now, you can understand why “fun” and “rewarding” just don’t cut it. My experience was perspective-changing.

The simplicity of life’s gifts makes them easy to overlook. Our perspectives get clouded with work stress, family drama, relationship issues, and a plethora of disheartening circumstances. Periodically, we need a reset; an experience that changes our perspectives and reminds us to appreciate the little things.

Next time you’re in a race, wear a new pair of shoes; celebrate the fact that you finished; appreciate who you have cheering you on at the finish line. Because winning the race isn’t just about getting first place.