As part of the Seattle Jobs Plan, Mayor Mike McGinn announced a $1.1 million investment in neighborhood business districts on Tuesday, February 28, part of which will benefit the forming of a Ballard Business Improvement Area.

"Our neighborhood business districts are a critical economic asset. Their diversity and strength is a part of what makes our city special," said Mayor McGinn in a statement. "The dollars that the city invests support projects that make an immediate impact in our neighborhoods, and they also serve as catalysts that bring neighborhood business district leaders together to organize and create a shared vision for long-term revitalization strategies, which will help our city's overall economic recovery."

Earlier this month we reported that the Ballard Chamber of Commerce is examining forming a Businesses Improvement Area (BIA). A BIA exists to provide additional services for an area, and is funded through a tax levied by the city on all businesses falling within chartered boundaries. Funds are then managed and spent by an Advisory Board, composed of local businesses and property owners, with the city overseeing complaints.

A small amount of the $1.1 million investment will be dedicated to forming this BIA in Ballard as well as in Belltown, Capitol Hill / 12th Avenue, Madison Valley, Pioneer Square, SODO, and West Seattle.

"The city is focused on helping business and property owners to strengthen local business climate and grow jobs," said Steve Johnson, director of the Office of Economic Development.

Small businesses employ 72 percent of Seattle's workforce and contribute 35 percent of the city's business tax revenues, totaling $55.4 million. The Seattle Jobs Plan specifically targets investment in Seattle’s neighborhood business districts as they serve as the location and incubators for many of the city’s small businesses.

Earlier this year, the Office of Economic Development partnered with the Seattle Department of Transportation to better understand the purpose and patterns of travel by visitors in various neighborhood business districts by conducting an intercept survey of visitors in six neighborhood business districts, including Ballard.

This study will be released shortly and will help the city understand who shops, eats, and plays in Ballard and how to address issues like transportation and parking.