Resource Guide
More than 70 free and low-cost government services are available to help Seattle industrial firms. Seattle First can help connect you with each and every one of them.
Environmental Services
City of Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) offers the following free programs:
• Grants up to $5,000 are available to businesses for help implementing a waste prevention program. 206-386-9746.
• Consulting services and financial incentives are available to businesses pursuing water conservation technologies through the “Water Smart” program. 206-684-5883.
• Tips on irrigation techniques and potential rebates for using efficient irrigation products are available through the Efficient Irrigation Program. 206-684-5955.
Resource Ventures is a partnership between the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and SPU that offers free consulting services on environmental issues to any type of business within the city limits. For more information, call 206-389-7304. Services include:
• How to save money on waste disposal, waste prevention and recycling.
• How to save money on water conservation and methods for reducing water use.
• How to meet city code requirements for storm water prevention and retention.
• How to build structures qualifying for LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) or BuiltGreen certification.
• How to correct storm water pollution violations.
ECOSS – the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle – can act as a liaison between industrial businesses and environmental agencies. If you think you have a problem with an environmental regulation, ECOSS will look into it and, confidentially, approach the enforcement agency on your behalf to find the most positive possible solution.
ECOSS also offers the following services:
• Environmental Extension Services (EES). This service is aimed at small and mid-sized businesses. It includes tips on waste disposal, energy and water conservation, hazardous waste management and preventing storm water pollution.
• Brownfields. ECOSS and the EES program can help property owners figure out how to go about cleaning up polluted land.
• Multilingual “At Home” Program. ECOSS offers a home safety program for immigrant households. That may not be of much interest to your business, but this program has resulted in ECOSS acquiring an amazing capacity to communicate in Amharic, Cambodian, Chinese, English, Spanish, Tigrinian and Vietnamese. So, if you ever have trouble communicating with a customer who only speaks Amharic, call ECOSS and they’ll probably figure out a way to help.
