Economic Development

Federal Way is Open For Business!

 

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Grant Workshops

The Federal Way Economic Development Department is partnering with Collaborative Partners Initiative (CPIN) to offer a FREE workshop series designed to empower nonprofits, community-based organizations, and small businesses with essential skills in grants and fundraising. 

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Member Marketplace ShopLocal Federal Way

New to online selling or just want more of an online presence? Start to Cart cohort offers essential tools, resources, and guidance to successfully launch and manage an online store on the platform, with skills that are transferable to other e-commerce channels. Learn more and join the online community!

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SBDC Free Workshop

Digital Literacy Workshop Series for Business owners and future owners! Hosted by Small Business Development Center - Highline College.

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Lego person holding ice cream with text above: "What is economic development?"

Click the tile to watch a brief video that explains what economic development is.

Looking for something specific? Try the SEARCH 

Annual City Sponsored Business Outreach & Survey 

Dear Business Owners,

The city conducts an annual business outreach and survey to stay connected with our local businesses and better serve your needs. 

This initiative has two primary goals:

  1. To update your contact information, which we found to be crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic for timely communication. 
  2. To conduct a brief survey to identify the most pressing issues facing businesses. 

The City invests annually in programs to address these concerns based on your feedback. For more information on last year’s survey results and the programs implemented, please contact our Economic Development team

We look forward to your participation!

 

Location

  • Affordable Housing: $320k median price for 2-bedroom house (rocket homes 10/2023) * 
  • Near Mt. Rainier National Park
  • On the Puget Sound
  • Regional Aquatic Center (Host to Olympic Trials, Pac 12, NCAA D1 and Special Olympics)
  • Nationally acclaimed Outdoor Recreation Hub

Workforce

  • Large workforce pipeline in: Healthcare, Retail, Sales, Food Related & Professional Services
  • Over 100 languages enrich the workforce with diverse cultures and perspectives.

 

Opportunity Zone

  • Multiple Regional rail stations (~30k daily ridership)
  • International Airport and two deep water ports
  • Geographically positioned on Interstate 5 which links Canada to Mexico

 

Investment

  • Over $1bn currently planned in Downtown

 

 

 

Free  Business Workshops: 

Google & AI for Business Site

Workshop 1: Creating a Project Management Website
Using Google Sites & AI
Date: August 12th
Location: Des Moines Library

Workshop 2: Creating a Business Plan
Using Google Sheets & AI
Date: August 13th
Location: 1st Ave Library

Workshop 3: Creating a Marketing Pitch
Using Google Slides & AI
Date: August 15th
Location: Woodmont Library

Workshop 4: Creating a Project Proposal
Using Google Slides & AI
Date: August 20th
Location: 320th Library

Federal Way Grant Writing & Fundraising Workshops

From Idea to Impact: Crafting Grant-Ready Projects
Date: Thursday, September 26th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Grant Sleuth: Uncovering Funding Opportunities
Date: Thursday, October 3rd
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Beyond the Check: Navigating Post-Grant Success
Date: Thursday, October 10th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

The Ask Unveiled: Fundraising Basics and Strategies
Date: Thursday, October 17th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

The Art of the Ask: Crafting Powerful Appeals for Every Opportunity
Date: Thursday, October 24th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Beyond the Ask: Managing, Measuring, and Maximizing Fundraising Impact
Date: Thursday, November 7th
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Shop Local Federal Way 

The Shop Local Federal Way Marketplace empowers small businesses to establish and grow their online presence within a supportive, shared local platform. This marketplace helps businesses engage in e-commerce, expand their digital footprint, and market collectively as part of the Federal Way community. For those new to online selling, the Start to Cart cohort offers essential tools, resources, and guidance to successfully launch and manage an online store on the platform, with skills that are transferable to other e-commerce channels. Learn more and join your online community!

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Contact Information

Tanja Carter
Economic Development Director
Ph: 253.835.2412

33325 8th Ave. S.
Federal Way, WA  98003

Fax: 253.835.2609

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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