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Background
The Community Business Connector (CBC) initiative was shaped by economic development leaders in King County, Washington, with support from the Port of Seattle, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), and local chambers and city partners.
The initiative emerged in response to a national challenge during the pandemic, when BIPOC-owned businesses were not effectively reached by relief funding. In response, our local business community worked to address ecosystem barriers and cultural, linguistic, and geographic needs by directly connecting small businesses to services across cities in the Seattle region.
With initial funding from the Port of Seattle and King County, the Chamber established two north stars: (1) expanding access to technical assistance for small and BIPOC-owned businesses, and (2) delivering services sub-regionally to meet diverse community needs.
Guided by a hub-and-spoke approach—where a central hub coordinates resources and local partners deliver support—CBC delivers targeted, equitable support to small and BIPOC-owned businesses across King County. Through engagement with cities, service providers and local businesses, CBC uses surveys, listening sessions, and targeted outreach to identify gaps in access to resources and technical assistance.
During the two-year pilot, CBC reached over 2,000 small businesses across 31 jurisdictions and 700+ referrals for technical assistance and support. Businesses reported 102 jobs retained, 93 new jobs, and $282,000 in capital investment, with 90% of those served being BIPOC- and/or women-owned. Connectors also supported grant applications, strengthened connections between businesses and public agencies, and CBC distributed nearly $1 million in contracts for countywide outreach, technology tools, access to capital, and language services, along with $35,000 to local partners for collaborative outreach.
Service Evolution
Lessons from the CBC process evaluation reinforced the importance of trusted messengers, coordinated referrals, and culturally responsive outreach. The findings also highlighted the need for a more centralized, user-friendly system to streamline access to services and improve coordination across the ecosystem. Review CBC Reports
Building on these insights, CBC has evolved into core infrastructure supporting King County’s small business community. Through a portal powered by HUUB, CBC members can access resources, connect with advisors, and engage trusted partners at no cost. A partner network advises on service delivery needs and ongoing program development. Visit the CBC blog for the latest news and stories.
Today, CBC has helped build a lasting legacy of small business readiness through the Chamber’s role as the small business liaison, positioning businesses to benefit from World Cup 26™ and beyond. The Small Business Readiness Playbook serves as a foundational tool and starting point for small businesses, technical advisors, and trusted connectors preparing their people to do business in Washington State. As CBC networks develop across the state, they can use the Playbook to connect businesses to resources, strengthen partnerships, and support long-term economic growth.