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 Citys business loan programs and to develop and recommend a strategy for the Citys 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 Citys 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 Citys 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 Mayors Small Business Task Force and administering certain contracts. The director was appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.
Records in this series include news releases, communications, and plans of action regarding the film and music industry in Seattle. Most notable are materials about the Sand Point Naval Station's reinvention as a film studio. Also included are materials detailing the design of outreach materials showcasing Seattle's rich musical history and relevance. Documents relating to major events, such as Sundance Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), and the Austin, Texas event South by Southwest (SXSW) are also included. Much of the material comes from the records of Donna James and James Keblas and spans a period of time from the 1990s through the 2000s. The main focus of the records is on the Sand Point redesign and efforts to maintain Seattle as a premier location/studio option for filmmakers.
Records are open to the public.
[Item and date], Office of Film and Music Records, Record Series 2101-03. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.