Serving SeaTac
Free business advising for women in SeaTac
Millions of travelers pass through SeaTac every year, and the family-run restaurants and markets along International Boulevard are a big part of what makes the city. As a women’s business center for SeaTac, WCWB helps women start and grow businesses with free one-on-one advising, practical classes and a community of women owners.
King County
33,210
Free, by phone or video
Lacey, Washington
Your women’s business center for SeaTac
From a home-based childcare business to a restaurant in the Global Dining District, here’s how to take the next step.
1
Get loan-ready
An advisor can help you get your plan, records and projections in shape before you talk to a lender, by phone or video, at no cost.
2
Start a home-based business
Intro to Business is a free self-paced online course on planning, legal requirements and funding.
3
Reach travelers and locals
Advisors can help you build a marketing plan that reaches airport travelers, hotel guests and your own neighbors.
Local economy
An airport city with a global table
SeaTac’s economy revolves around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which the Port of Seattle runs. SEA handled a record 52.7 million passengers in 2025, and a 2025 Port study estimated that airport activity supports about 175,000 jobs and $33 billion in business output across the region. Around the airport, International Boulevard is lined with hotels, airport parking, airport-serving businesses and independent, often immigrant-owned restaurants and markets. The city is planning to turn this corridor into a walkable ‘SeaTac Central’ business core.
What drives business here
- Aviation and airport operations. SEA, the Port of Seattle-run airport inside SeaTac city limits, served a record 52,715,181 passengers in 2025. International traffic grew about 7.8% while domestic traffic fell about 1%.
- Hotels, lodging and visitor services. Airport hotels are a core local industry. Hotels in SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines fund regional tourism marketing through a self-assessed hotel fund and the cities’ lodging taxes, which pay for Explore Seattle Southside, the area’s destination marketing organization.
- Airport-serving businesses along International Boulevard. The International Boulevard corridor (‘SeaTac Central’, formerly SeaTac Landing) is home to hotels, airport-serving businesses, shops, restaurants and many airport workers. The city is updating its 1999 plan for the area.
- Independent restaurants and international food markets. The city-funded Global Dining District (called the World Table District from February 2025 to July 2026) promotes independent restaurants, cafés, markets and bars along International Boulevard and Military Road, serving Somali, Ethiopian, Indian, Thai, Mexican, Japanese and other cuisines.
- Home-based childcare. The city’s federally funded small business program set aside $1.8 million to help open 60 new home-based childcare businesses. By the end of 2025, 35 had been licensed and more were in process.
Our impact since 2014
Thousands of women have started and grown with WCWB
8,480+
business advising sessions
360+
business training events
4,030+
training participants
300+
new businesses started
400+
new jobs created
50+
businesses accessing capital
$3.2 million+
reported increase in business profits
Where business happens
Business districts in SeaTac
- SeaTac Central (International Boulevard). The main commercial corridor next to the airport, with hotels, airport-serving businesses, shops and restaurants. The city’s ‘Global Green’ vision for it calls for a commercial core that supports local businesses and welcomes visitors, with the new plan expected to be adopted between late 2026 and early 2027.
- Global Dining District (International Boulevard and Military Road). A cluster of family-run international restaurants, cafés and markets that Explore Seattle Southside and the City of SeaTac promote with a night market, public art and visitor marketing.
- Light rail station areas (S 154th, S 176th and S 200th streets). The city is promoting mixed-use development around the Link light rail stations at S 154th St, S 176th St (SeaTac/Airport) and S 200th St (Angle Lake).
Good to know in SeaTac
- SeaTac’s business license is issued through the state Business Licensing Service, with fees based on the number of full-time-equivalent employees working in the city. Home businesses pay a lower fee.
- The city’s Small Business Capital Access Program offers free coaching and loan-readiness help to SeaTac small businesses, with a stipend when you finish.
- Independent restaurants, cafés, markets and bars on International Boulevard or Military Road can join the city-funded Global Dining District for free.
- SeaTac sets a higher minimum wage for hospitality and transportation employers, so check whether it covers your business.
Not sure what applies to you? An advisor can walk you through it.
More help in SeaTac
Alongside WCWB, these SeaTac organizations support local businesses. Each link opens their own website.
City of SeaTac Economic Development
The city’s economic development office runs the Small Business Capital Access Program and offers site-selection and business information for SeaTac.
Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce
The chamber serving SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and Tukwila: networking, a member directory, marketing opportunities, advocacy and information on the Small Business Capital Access Program.
Highline College Small Business Development Center (Washington SBDC) and StartZone
Free, confidential one-on-one advising, workshops and loan-packaging help, a partner in SeaTac’s capital-access program. The office is nearby at 2400 S 240th St, Des Moines.
Explore Seattle Southside (Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority): partner resources
The tourism marketing organization for SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines. It offers partner listings, a partner intake form and marketing tools for visitor-facing businesses, and runs the Global Dining District.
King County Library System: Business & Nonprofit resources (Valley View Library)
Free business and market-research databases with a library card, available at the Valley View Library (17850 Military Road S, SeaTac).
King County Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy
The county’s economic development office; it works with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber on business retention and expansion help.
Questions from SeaTac business owners
Can WCWB help me start a home-based childcare business?
Yes. An advisor can help you plan your budget, pricing and policies and think through the business side of child care. Child care licensing itself comes from the state, and SeaTac’s small business program has helped dozens of home-based childcare businesses open.
I run a restaurant on International Boulevard. How can I reach more customers?
An advisor can help with marketing, menus and pricing. Independent restaurants on International Boulevard or Military Road can also join the city-funded Global Dining District for free through Explore Seattle Southside.
Does WCWB have an office in SeaTac?
No. We meet by phone and video, so we can work with you anywhere in Washington State. Our office is at 4220 6th Ave SE in Lacey.
Who can work with WCWB?
Anyone who is starting a business or growing a small to medium-sized one. We focus on women-identified business owners in Washington State, and our services are open to everyone.
Also serving nearby: Tukwila · Des Moines · Burien
Your SeaTac business is ready for takeoff
Free advising by phone or video. Tell us a little about your business and we’ll be in touch.