Challenge Seattle Invests $1 Million in Greater Seattle Partners to Advance Regional Economic Competitiveness

Three-year investment will support regional collaboration, economic competitiveness research, and efforts to strengthen and grow the Puget Sound economy

Challenge Seattle has announced a $1 million, three-year investment in Greater Seattle Partners (GSP) to advance regional economic competitiveness and support implementation of key recommendations from Keeping Puget Sound Strong: A Regional Plan for Jobs and Opportunity.

The investment marks an important step in a broader regional effort to strengthen the Puget Sound economy and position the region for long-term competitiveness, job creation, business investment, and economic opportunity.

The work will focus on three priorities:

• Developing greater regional connectedness across the Puget Sound economic development ecosystem
• Creating and broadly sharing an annual economic competitiveness report
• Building momentum and alignment in regional policies and practices to diversify, grow, and strengthen the economy

“This investment from Challenge Seattle is a catalyst for the work, and this financial support is critical to ensuring our region remains competitive,” said Shannon Braddock, President & CEO of Greater Seattle Partners. “Other regions and states across the nation are aggressively competing for jobs and investment, and we must capitalize on this investment and embrace this opportunity.”

GSP will work alongside Challenge Seattle, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), regional economic development organizations, business partners, and policy leaders to help advance a shared economic vision for the Puget Sound region.

Building Greater Seattle’s Competitive Position

The three-year partnership comes as GSP solidifies its role as a business development leader for the Greater Seattle region.

GSP is building regional and business connections to help solve problems, seize opportunities, and grow the region’s domestic and international business recruitment pipeline. The organization is also providing credible and actionable research to help industries and sectors plan for the long term and make strategic, data-informed decisions.

At the same time, GSP continues working collaboratively to ensure Greater Seattle, a fertile ground for innovation, business, and trade, has the resources and partnerships it needs to thrive.

The work has implications beyond the region. Companies, investors, and talent around the world are making decisions about where to invest, expand, and build for the future. Greater Seattle’s ability to compete for those opportunities depends on a connected regional economic development ecosystem, strong business leadership, actionable economic intelligence, and a shared commitment to the region’s long-term competitiveness.

An Opportunity for Regional Collaboration

Challenge Seattle’s $1 million commitment provides important momentum, but strengthening the region’s competitive position will require broad participation.

Greater Seattle Partners invites companies, institutions, economic development organizations, and civic leaders that share this vision to be part of the work.

“This effort will require all of us, working together, to ensure our region continues to create jobs and opportunities,” Braddock said. “We are grateful for the partners and investors already working alongside GSP, and we welcome others who want to help shape and strengthen the economic future of our region.”

Organizations interested in learning more about Greater Seattle Partners, this regional competitiveness initiative, or becoming a GSP investor are encouraged to contact Shannon Braddock, President & CEO, at [email protected].