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Office of Economic Development Business Assistance Center/Development Lending Company Project Records, 1992-1997

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle (Wash.). Office of Economic Development
Title
Office of Economic Development Business Assistance Center/Development Lending Company Project Records
Dates
1992-1997 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.2 cubic feet, (3 boxes)
Collection Number
2100-03
Summary
Records concerning the formation of a community economic development project.
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

The Office of Economic Development (OED) was created in 1972 as part of the Department of Community Development to provide information to businesses expanding or relocating in Seattle. Its main efforts consisted of business development and capital investment, business assistance and advisory services, business liaison, special projects, and research.

In 1992 the City Council reorganized the functions of the Department of Community Development and established the Economic Development Transition Project. This project was assigned responsibility to contract for services to manage the City's business loan programs and to develop and recommend a strategy for the City's economic development programs.

OED was reorganized into the Executive Department in 1993. Its assigned functions included coordination of programs and policies related to the support of a diversified economy, livable wage jobs, access to education, job training and self-employment opportunities, and increased capacity for local neighborhood revitalization. OED administered the City's business loan programs, including loans funded by Urban Development Action Grants, the Neighborhood Business Development Loan Program, Washington State Development Loan Funds, the Seattle Small Business Lenders Association, and Community Development Block Grants.

The Office negotiated and administered contracts with organizations engaged in the provision of economic development services. Additional functions included the implementation of Community Development Block Grant contracts, as well as administration of federal, state, and local grants such as Central Seattle Neighborhood Special Purpose Grants, Economic Development Administration Planning Grants, the Southeast Opportunity Fund, and the Southeast Good Neighbor Fund. OED provided staff support to the City's Industrial Development Corporation, which issued industrial revenue bonds to provide low-interest financing for private business investment in Seattle. The Office also assumed responsibility for staffing the Mayor's Small Business Task Force and administering certain contracts. The director was appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.

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Content Description

Records, including subject files, correspondence, and planning documents of the Director of OED, concerning the formation of two linked, not-for-profit, community business development ventures to increase economic opportunity in targeted markets. In 1997 the City transferred its small business lending program to the Seattle Economic Development Association. All three organizations currently operate under the umbrella of Community Capital Development. The Seattle Economic Development Fund and the Seattle Business Assistance Center make small business loans, provide technical assistance and promote business formation and job creation in the targeted communities.

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Seattle Business Assistance Center/Development Lending Company Project Records , Record Series 2100-03. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

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Administrative Information

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Economic development--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Government aid to small business--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Minority business enterprises Finance

Personal Names

  • Ryan, Mary Jean

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Office of Economic Development

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Finding aid prepared by Janet Ness
2011

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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