High Quality
Open the downloaded document, and select print from the file menu (PDF reader required).
www.seattle.gov/jobsplanwww.seattle.gov/mayorwww.seattle.gov/economicdevelopmentwww.growseattle.com
August 24, 2010
P h o t o : C o u r t e s y o f G e t t y I m a g e s
Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………......………... 1A. Re-Creating the Ladder to Opportunity................................................................................... 3
• Energy Efficiency• New Business Financing for Micro and Small Businesses• Minority and Immigrant Business Support• Preparing our Workforce
B. Helping Entrepreneurs and Growing Businesses…………………………………………………………. 8
• Enhanced Business Services• Business Financing• Active Business Retention and Expansion• Interim Uses in Down Economy• Economic Benchmarking
C. Improving Regional and Global Competitiveness………………………………………………………. 11
• Manufacturing and Maritime• Health Care and Life Sciences• Content Technology Initiative• Energy Efficiency Innovation• Restaurant, Retail, and Hospitality • Neighborhood Business Districts
D. Next Generation Infrastructure……………………………………………………………………………………… 15
• Broadband Network• Major Capacity Investments• Replacing the Seawall• Transportation Investments• Walk, Bike, Ride• Seattle City Light• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations• Seattle Public Utilities• Fire Stations• Major Projects Capital Team• Equitable Access to Opportunity
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………......... 19
Seattle Jobs Plan By the Numbers…………………………………………………………………………………………………... 20Conversations with the Mayor…………………………………………………………………………………………........………... 21
1
A Choice
Cities, communities, societies – there comes a timewhen they all face a choice: do they meet thefuture? Or do they resist it? It might seem like anobvious choice, but history is littered with thosewho have decided to resist. There’s a reason forthat: it’s easy. They are never able to make thetough decisions needed to evolve. Instead they justhunker down and hope for the best. And historyleaves them behind.
The Harder Path
We are faced with this choice right now. If we wantto meet the future, then we have to purposefullychoose to take the harder path. Taking that pathrequires that we let go of the past and are cleareyed about what’s coming. We have to do ourbest to predict the demands of the economies ofthe future – and develop the human talent andinfrastructure to meet those demands.That path also requires that we are honest withourselves about our strengths and weaknesses.In Seattle, we are blessed with many assets,including an active port with a solid maritime andindustrial base, clean and inexpensive electricity,quality research and educational institutions, andleading businesses in growing economic sectors.We are surrounded by natural beauty and benefitfrom walkable neighborhoods that encouragehome-grown businesses. We are entrepreneurialand hard-working, blessed with the skills andcultural experiences of a diverse population.But we are also facing significant challenges.Right now, just 10% of Seattle Public Schoolstudents graduate ready for post-secondaryeducation. We have built a transportation systemthat is overly dependent on cars and foreign oil.We have made inadequate investments intransit. And, like the rest of the country, we aresuffering from massive job losses that were simplyunimaginable three years ago. These losses areset against a backdrop of three decades of risingincome inequality and looming environmental crisesthat make the challenge of meeting the future evenharder.
Introduction
P h o t o : B r o n w y n E d w a r d s P h o t o : B r o n w y n E d w a r d s
Add a Comment