Economic Development Quarterly Recap 2026

Economic Development kicked off the year by planning for programming under their new Best Start for Kids Stop the School to Prison Pipeline (SSPP) grant. During this time, they also made the difficult decision to sunset the Business Builder program, with hopes of reviving it in the future, as funding for the program concluded at the end of 2025. 

Under the SSPP grant, we have the opportunity to work alongside the YES! Foundation as our subcontractor, expanding our ability to support youth through workforce development and mentorship opportunities. 

This quarter also marked the launch of Cohort 9 of our internship program, welcoming 10 interns ranging in age from 15 to 19. Through this program, youth dove into financial wellness tools such as understanding credit, how to read paystubs, history of predatory loans, and etc. They also touch base on community wellness and what wealth means beyond finances.  

In addition to youth programming, the team has been preparing to launch new workshops aimed at activating the Creator Lab, with the first sessions set to begin at the end of April. These workshops will provide community members with opportunities to explore creative and entrepreneurial skills in an accessible space. 

The team is also launching the first Community Market of the series. In addition, they are working with King County’s Direct Local Services to coordinate Spring Refresh creating space for local businesses and community members to connect, share resources, and support one another. 

Looking ahead, Aaliyah is actively planning for the upcoming summer internship cohort, continuing to build pathways for youth engagement and leadership. 

This quarter also included a moment of celebration and reflection as the team honored Oanh Tran’s retirement, recognizing her contributions and impact on the Business Builder program and community work in the past 20 years!