How would Seattle’s mayoral candidates assist companies recuperate?

Seattle residents elect a new mayor this year. We ask all candidates for primary school 2021 how they would address a range of issues the city is facing.

This week we ask how they would help Seattle businesses recover from the pandemic.

QUESTION: Many companies in the Seattle area are struggling to survive due to the Covid crisis. What would you do differently to help companies recover?

Clinton Bliss

“Integrity, Compassion, Wise Action. Independent Democrat.”

“As soon as everyone has a chance to get vaccinated and confirm immunity, I’ll reopen our city – it’s that simple. We’ll publish a timeline so people can take action to protect themselves. Until then, we must continue to protect our residents. ” I support a person’s right to refuse vaccination with the understanding that they do not have the right to work in critical health environments. Patients should not get Covid from their carers. “

Colleen Echohawk

“Registered Member of the Pawnee Nation, Candidate for Mayor of Seattle”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“Working with the Department of Neighborhoods, the Seattle Public Library and OED, we will be participating in an outreach program to help color communities break down language barriers and gain access to government programs like the federal PPE and the small grant programs for overcome small businesses. funded by the city to economically support our BIPOC small businesses. “

Jessyn Farrell

“A former lawmaker, non-profit executive, and working mom who knows how to progress on tough issues.”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“When I was leading our state’s economic recovery task force last year, I heard from countless small business owners that government PPP loans and city programs were inaccessible to those in need of the help most BIPOC-owned businesses became BIPOC-owned without prior banking relationships excluded from help. So I helped create a $ 50 million small business recovery fund for minority-owned companies. I would expand this as mayor. “

Lorena Gonzalez

“President of the Seattle City Council and Candidate for Mayor of Seattle.”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“Providing continued rental abatement and assistance, as well as technical assistance with access to state, state, and local resources is vital to the survival of small businesses. Cafe.”

Bruce Harrell

“I’m running for mayor to reset City Hall, unite Seattle with our progressive values, and move our city forward.”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“I have a long history of helping small, local, and BIPOC-owned businesses create and develop into thriving jobs and pillars of the community. As Mayor, I will be a trusted partner with dedicated resources to help deliver equitable recreation Companies to bounce back and expand to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. I’m also the only candidate with a plan to preserve and revitalize the arts, culture, and nightlife – some of Seattle’s hardest hit corporations and creatives . “

Andrew Grant Houston

“‘Ace’ is a queer color architect, small business owner, activist, millennial, tenant and transit driver.”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“I will introduce commercial rent control. The economic recovery from COVID will take time and we need to make sure local businesses can keep their costs down. I will limit rent increases to either “inflation plus 2%” or 4%, whichever is greater is a proven way of helping people and their businesses stay in town, and thus preserving our beloved small businesses for Generations. “

Arthur Langlie

“As a builder of teams and solutions, I bring new skills to this position.”

“We have to provide companies with security services so that they are not broken into or vandalized. Business losses due to a lack of security are expensive and not on anyone’s business plan. People want to feel safe and gather in safe and clean areas. I want to start a “Buy Locally” campaign to draw our residents back to our small businesses to foster a thriving community. ”

Lance Randall

“I am a problem solver who prioritizes outcomes for our residents.”

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“I will partner with the city government and our local corporate foundations to raise funds to fund a local grant program that provides significant financial assistance to small businesses. The grants can be used to make up outstanding rent payments, re-hire, replenish . ” Inventory, equipment upgrades, and marketing to help them recover from the damage caused by the pandemic and economic downturn. This will be the key to supporting small businesses in all neighborhoods.

Don L. Rivers

(Receiving Democracy Vouchers)

“I’m not going to mislead the people of Seattle. Our goal is to use the 3 L. Listen, learn, and then lead. As you said, we are in a pandemic. Life is changing every moment during this crisis. For the citizens of Seattle, we will have monthly meetings with all business owners. To find a way to bring our Destiny City back. “

Bobby Tucker

“Visit them and volunteer, ask questions about how we can work together to overcome this crisis together.”

RELATED: How Would Seattle’s Candidates Cope With Structural Racism?

Each Seattle mayoral candidate was asked to describe themselves and answer the same questions. Follow the coverage leading up to the August primaries at KUOW.org/elections. Stay tuned to the KUOW Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for your own answers to these questions.

Colleen Echohawk is a former board member of KUOW.

Candidates invited to take part in this survey but did not respond in time: Henry Clay Dennison, James Donaldson, Stan Lippmann, Casey Sixkiller, Omari Tahir-Garrett.