Seattle Awards Nearly $1.3 Million to 43 Small Businesses Through 2026 Tenant Improvement Program
Seattle’s Office of Economic Development has announced the 2026 Tenant Improvement Program awardees, investing nearly $1.3 million across 43 small businesses to help them stabilize and grow through equipment upgrades and signage improvements.
The program prioritizes viable businesses at high risk of displacement, with particular focus on BIPOC-owned and women-owned businesses operating in historically underinvested areas. Award packages support essential equipment replacements, production scaling, operational modernization, and visibility improvements through new signage.
Awardees span Seattle neighborhoods including Central District, Capitol Hill, Chinatown-International District, Ballard, Greenwood, West Seattle, and South Seattle. Businesses range from long-established community anchors to recently transitioned ownership, including restaurants, cafés, retail shops, service providers, and cultural businesses. Many awardees are recognized for community contributions including food donations, youth mentorship, cultural programming, and neighborhood support.
The City’s selection process emphasizes businesses providing valued community services and those facing displacement pressures from development or economic conditions. Award amounts range from $1,850 to $50,000 depending on project scope and business need.
