Last week, Mayor Mike McGinn announced a $1 million investment in 18 Seattle neighborhood business districts, including Ballard.

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

McGinn announced that "focused investments" of $247,500 will be made in Ballard, Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Rainier Beach, University District and White Center to aid The Office of Economic Development's Only in Seattle campaign.

In addition, $35,000 will be invested to build strong business-focused organizational capacity to sustain the efforts of neighborhood business districts Business Improvement Area (BIA) formation in various neighborhoods including Ballard.

And finally, $20,000 is set aside for farmers market support in neighborhoods across the city.

"Ballard's award was the result of a grant application I prepared on behalf of the Ballard Chamber at the end of December," explained Beth Miller, Executive Director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, in an email.

"In my request, I asked for funds to work with a consultant, as well as the Office of Economic Development (OED), to study and solve some of the problems facing Ballard's business core. These include lose of retail businesses, empty storefronts, and the fragmented nature of our merchant community.

Our desire is to work towards a more unified marketing/promotional effort that includes the various interest areas of this market segment, but also creates more cohesion and a better use of resources, including dollars and volunteer efforts. Ballard has so many assets and this will help us capitalize on what makes this community so special."

Miller said the grant will provide an opportunity to examine existing conditions in Ballard and to identify strengths and weaknesses and look for solutions. An outside consultant will help move the project forward and provide non-biased information and input.

"This allocation is the first in a three-year process. The goal is to create a collective vision, identify leadership, and to create a work plan going forward. With a plan in hand, the Chamber would be able to apply for additional funding in years to come to help implement this plan," she said.

Miller met with the OED last week and said the Chamber will be soon be reaching out to the merchant community to identify key partnerships and to begin meeting with individual business owners.