SEATTLE (June 3, 2022) —Seattle small businesses can now apply for the Digital Sales Access Program — a partnership between the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), Comcast, Kay Tita, Square and Quickbooks , that aims to remove digital access barriers that negatively impact small businesses. Originally launched in 2021, the Digital Access Program will provide a free point of sale (POS) system that allows small businesses—particularly those operating as “cash-only”—to expand their operations to accept debit, credit and other digital forms of payment. Additionally, participating small businesses will receive other tools such as an online Quickbooks subscription for financial management including simplified accounting and reporting, tools for inventory management, and personalized training to help business owners effectively utilize new technology. The Digital Sales Access Program will help small business owners grow their businesses through increased ecommerce capacity, improved digital literacy and greater financial awareness. The program is funded through public and private dollars—with $100,000 in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CLFR) provided by the city and $35,000 provided by Comcast.
“The Digital Sales Access Program improves service for both small businesses and their customers,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “It's our goal to promote a thriving and dynamic small business economy here in Seattle. Helping provide critically needed tools and technology upgrades is a great way to further that mission and support our local businesses.”
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Applications for the Digital Sales Access Program will be accepted from June 6, 2022, through June 24, 2022. To be eligible for the program businesses must:
Additionally, businesses must meet at least three of the following requirements:
To support small businesses that have experienced disproportionate economic impacts, the Digital Sales Access Program will prioritize micro and small business that are owned by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, women, and businesses located in a highly distressed census tract with a minimum of 30% poverty or not exceeding 60% median income—defined as “low-income communities” (LICs) by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) which has prioritized low-income communities for COVID relief financing.
To learn more on the program’s services, eligibility requirements, and apply, go to https://www.kaytita.org/dsap/program.
“We’ve created a program where receiving the Point of Sales system is only one part of the whole experience. We leverage our own lived experiences to meet our fellow community members where they are at.” said David Pierre-Louis, Kay Tita Executive Director. “Our program addresses digital equity, financial literacy, and building direct connections with the business owners in order to make sure we can help bridge critical resources that allow our community members not to be left behind. Kay Tita’s dedication to supporting entrepreneurs is at the root of the work and community we foster in Port-au-Prince and Seattle. And we believe when we empower small business owners we are preserving and promoting the culture, heritage, and the identity of our city.”
“Technology and ecommerce capacity are critical for businesses of any size to be successful, especially in our economy that is so technology driven. That is why OED continues to invest in resources and programs that connect our businesses—especially those with the highest digital access barriers—with tools and digital skills needed to be successful in an ecommerce driven economy.” said Markham McIntyre, Interim Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development. “Intentional partnerships with corporate and community-based organizations allow us to leverage strengths and align resources that benefit the community. These partnerships will help us build a more equitable economy, and this program helps us ensure our small businesses have the skills and tools they need to grow and thrive.”
The 2021 pilot program served 50 small businesses across Seattle, the majority of whom were owned by individuals that identified as Black, Indigenous, or other persons of color, women, and/or immigrant. In addition to connecting businesses with the technology and training, OED quickly learned business owner had deep interest in having better understanding of point-of-sales analytics, and how to effectively connect ecommerce tools to improve overall business operations. This new iteration of the Digital Sales Access program will build on learnings from the pilot and provide deeper training on customer analytics and how to utilize Quickbooks to create financial projections for business growth.
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to join this program, it's very helpful that finally, I can get more info and useful resources to sustain the business during this uncertain economic situation. And to hear some information from real people, instead of searching randomly myself online. All this feeling made me feel not alone and feel supported since during this covid, I felt overwhelmed and burned out to handle too many things to sustain and survive the business.” Maya Lu, pilot program participant and owner of Boba- Up.
“So many of the things that Kay Tita’s Digital Sales Access Program has put together are what businesses across the nation need, It's not just a Seattle thing. It's a worldwide thing. So great. Kudos to you guys for putting it all together.”-Martin Guerrero, Square Representative.
In addition to Digital Sales Access Program, OED has invested nearly $200k in the Youth Web Design program—a partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle that connects Seattle small businesses without a business website or limited online presence with local youth to design modern websites that improve and expand their online presence and business operations; $8 million in the Capital Access Program—a new partnership with local community development financial institutions (CDFI) that connects small businesses to flexible working capital loans; $6 million in neighborhood recovery grants; $4 million in stabilization grants for small businesses; launched Shop to the Beat — a recovery program that matches local musicians with small retail businesses to provide in-store performances during peak business hours, help increase foot traffic and sales for retailers, and provide competitive pay for musicians who lost significant income due to the impacts of COVID-19; and launched Seattle Restored—an economic recovery program that matches small businesses and artists with vacant commercial storefronts for pop up shops and art instillations in downtown neighborhoods such a Westlake, Pioneer Square, Chinatown/International District, and Belltown.
Impact Hub Port-Au-Prince takes an authentic approach to developing community, inspiring members through sustainable practices. Emphasizing progressive inclusivity and transparency, Impact Hub aims to preserve and expand Port-Au-Prince’s creative and thriving entrepreneurial culture. We hope to reach maximum effectiveness with the intentional practice of accountability. Guided by love, respect, honor, and trust, we always seek to refine, elevate, and restore the health of our community.
will direct a training and operations program within Impact Hub called GeoHaiti. GeoHaiti trains adults on geospatial information systems (GIS) that serve to improve community disaster resilience. Training topics include community communications, water and sanitation management, environmental preservation, public health measures, community disease surveillance, sustainable infrastructure, and hazard analysis.
Kay Tita will be the greenest commercial building in Haiti since it will be constructed according to The Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards, considered the most rigorous environmental performance standard. People from around the world use this regenerative design framework to create spaces that produce more energy than they utilize.
MUCE EDUCATES is an organization co-founded by Barthelemy Mervil, David Pierre-Louis’ brother, and utilizes arts promote intercultural exchange and to bring an end to cyclical poverty. MUCE is committed to teaching the visual arts to youth in urban areas so that they may compete in the global market. The organization provides educational workshops and opportunities for the emerging labor force with an emphasis on production in arts and culture.
Haiti Coffee Co. is a U.S. based company that imports Haitian Coffee while working towards infrastructure development that directly benefits the farmers from whom they source. The organization provides solutions that address deforestation, environmental sustainability, agriculture training, and infrastructure development.
Seattle‐based startup, Impact Bioenergy, manufactures and sells bioenergy systems that convert organic waste materials into renewable natural gas and fertilizer with zero waste.
Ambient Water (formerly AWG International) is Washington state based company that uses a patented technology that transforms humidity into an abundant source of safe, clean water.
Startup Week brings entrepreneurs, local leaders, and friends together over five days to build momentum for their vision for change.
The DoSchool develops experiential learning programs centered around innovation and facilitates opportunities for entrepreneurs to move from ideation to implementation.
Yes Baby I Like it Raw helps people tap into their raw potential and “process the unprocessed life” by developing health and wellness programming such as yoga meditation, and nutrition.
Days for Girls puts freedom and opportunity back into the hands of women and girls by providing sustainable hygiene solutions.
