King County Local

The Skyway community celebrated the installation of a pair of deep-blue, public kiosks in July.

One is located on Renton Avenue S near Nevzat’s Espresso, and the other is just down the street from Campbell Hill Elementary School. These kiosks serve multiple functions. Residents can pin fliers and announcements to a roof-covered bulletin board. The kiosks also serve as neighborhood entry signs, complete with side panels designed to resemble maps of the neighborhood.

As part of King County’s initiative to help our region recover from the pandemic, the King County Council has dedicated $4.5 million to help small business owners in unincorporated areas.

Apply at kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp

The application period opens Wednesday, July 7 and closes Wednesday, Aug. 4. Small business owners can apply online at https://kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp or by calling 206-477-3800 beginning today.

King County Local Services will administer this new grant program, which is open to businesses with 30 or fewer employees and $3 million or less in annual gross income.

As King County Local Services’ first Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager, john miller is honest about the process of helping our department create a more equitable, racially diverse and inclusive work environment.

It won’t always be easy or smooth – and that’s OK.

This is big news for urban Unincorporated King County.

A new community-centered budget process is underway, with the selection of 21 committee members who will develop a $10 million investment plan in unincorporated King County. The committee will design and carry out a budgeting process that will be centered on racial equity. The process will build on community strengths and address specific priorities that these communities have identified.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To celebrate, some members of the Local Services team are offering their perspectives throughout the month. In the above video, Public Information Officer Brent Champaco shares what AAPI Heritage Month means to him.

Starting next year, consumer fireworks will be prohibited in unincorporated King County.

The King County Council’s vote last week means the consumer fireworks ban goes into effect during the 2022 Fourth of July fireworks season. Residents will still be able to enjoy approved public fireworks displays.

King County Local Services’ virtual Community Service Area Town Halls will return in June for the Fairwood, Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River, Southeast King County and Four Creeks areas.

Participants will hear directly from and talk with their local government leaders, including King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents these areas. Local Services Director John Taylor will offer updates on county services in the unincorporated areas.

Did you know that more than a quarter of a million new homes and almost half a million new jobs are needed to support expected growth in King County and its cities through 2044?

As part of an initiative to update the Countywide Planning Policies, King County is inviting residents to review and comment on a proposal to accommodate the anticipated growth and the proposed policies that will shape how our communities will grow.

King County needs residents of the Skyway/West Hill, North Highline/White Center, East Renton Plateau, Fairwood, and East Federal Way areas to serve on a new committee that will help the county spend money for capital improvements in their communities.

Good news – the King County Sheriff’s Office continues to accept applications for its independent investigation team!

The King County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteer community representatives to help increase trust between law enforcement and the community with a new independent investigation team. If necessary, this independent investigation team will be tasked with investigating the use of deadly force by a King County Sheriff’s police officer. More information is provided below and here.