Introduction

The CDF grew out of a desire by both the Rainier Valley community and elected officials to strengthen the community and leverage the economic opportunities created by improved access to transportation. Initially the Fund focuses on assisting those businesses impacted by Link Light Rail Transit Project. The CDF staff will work with businesses that must move due to light rail construction and those immediately adjacent to the alignment who will be impacted by light rail construction.

How can the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund assist my business?
Businesses can be affected by construction of the Link Light Rail Transit Project in three ways. They are:

• Property owners are affected by acquisition of their property.
• Businesses renting their premises may also be affected by acquisition of their landlord’s property.
• Businesses in construction zones may experience business interruptions.

To minimize these impacts the Community Development Fund offers “supplemental mitigation” assistance to businesses along the Martin Luther King Jr. Way South alignment. Supplemental mitigation assistance helped businesses with rent increases, equipment replacement, tenant improvements or other operating costs necessary to maintain business operations or reestablish a business.

Since the, a pre-apprenticeship program has been initiated to introduce eligible Rainier Valley residents to a construction apprenticeship opportunity, with the goal to help them obtain careers in the construction industry.

Finally the organization is now offering below-market rate loans to businesses and real estate owners and developers for qualified investments in the Rainier Valley.