Kenmore recently received $21,500 from the Port of Seattle to support local community economic development. The City plans to use the funds, along with local matching funds, to provide business acceleration training, technical support to local companies, and promote the City’s image for business development and tourism.

“The Port of Seattle looks forward to seeing the results from the City of Kenmore’s efforts to support businesses and highlight all the reasons people should visit and conduct business there,” said Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire. “This partnership award supports our Century Agenda goals to promote tourism, small-business development, and job-creation across our region.”

“The Port of Seattle’s generous grant allows us to do more of what we love — share everything that makes Kenmore a great place to call home for people and business,” said Mayor David Baker. “We’ll not just invest more to promote Kenmore to visitors, we’ll also expand our own funding to spur even more economic development projects.”

The first Business Acceleration training and consultation series funded by the Port grant begins on Oct. 12. More information is available at http://www.kenmorewa.gov/5xseries.

The Port is offering more than $962,000 to cities in King County as matching funds. Based on population, each city receives between $5,000 and $65,000 for the following eligible activities: Business recruitment initiatives designed to attract new companies to a region or city; Small business development; Industry retention and expansion assistance; Tourism development; Downtown revitalization; Commercial or industrial property development; and other community or economic development projects that support new investment and job creation.

Other cities receiving awards in the first round include Auburn, Des Moines, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, North Bend​​​ and Normandy Park. More awards will be announced this month.