Seattle Neighborhood Grocer Technical Assistance Program

The Independent Grocer Technical Assistance program offers 10 independent Seattle grocery stores a year of no-cost, one-on-one business support in 2027, delivered by Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) and funded by the Seattle Office of Economic Development.

Throughout the year an experienced grocery advisor from IGA will be on hand to learn more about your business goals and provide practical ideas to help you achieve them.

About IGA

IGA is an alliance that gives independent grocers the resources, relationships, and collective strength to better compete and serve their communities – regardless of what brand is on the front of the store. Through IGA’s Community Development program, independent grocers receive practical, one-on-one strategic advisement shaped around each store’s goals and community. This is not a branding program: stores will not be asked to change their name, signs, or identity, and the one-year IGA membership included is for access to IGA’s training courses and other valuable resources.

Benefits

Selected stores will receive up to $35,000 in funding and payments, plus a full year of one-on-one support:

Up to $29,000 for store improvements. Funding for approved equipment and improvements that lower costs or help you serve customers better, such as refrigeration, freezers, shelving, technology or energy-saving upgrades. Your advisor will help you plan the project and request the funds.
$500 a month for your time. Earn up to $6,000 over the year for completing a short monthly report and check-in.
Mentorship and coaching from an experienced grocery advisor. Your advisor works alongside you all year through monthly calls and 6 store visits, sharing practical ideas to grow sales, manage costs and strengthen your store.
A business plan and staff training plan built for your store. Your advisor reviews your operations and finances with you and turns what you learn into a clear, step-by-step plan for the year: where to grow sales, where to save, and which improvements will pay off. Your training plan helps you and your staff put the plan into action, and your advisor updates the plan with you near year’s end.
A marketplace study. Learn who shops in your neighborhood, what they are looking for and where your opportunities are, to guide decisions about products, pricing and marketing.
One-year IGA membership with access to online training and marketing resources.
Help finding more funding, including guidance on applying for federal grants.

Timeline

Application opens: Monday, November 9, 2026.
Information session: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 10 AM PT.
Application deadline: Friday, December 4, 2026.
Interviews, if needed: December 7–11, 2026.
Selected stores notified: Wednesday, December 16, 2026. All applicants will hear back by this date.
Program kickoff and first store visit: week of January 11, 2027.
Business plans completed: by March 31, 2027.
Funding requests submitted: April 2027. Improvement projects completed: by December 31, 2027.
Program ends: December 2027.

Questions: Ashley Page, apage@igainc.com | (773) 742-7417. Help with your application: Eduardo.Rojas@seattle.gov | (206) 561-5181.

Who Should Apply

The program is designed for independent neighborhood grocery stores in Seattle that want to strengthen their operations and better serve their communities.

Requirements for all applicants

To apply, your business must:

Have an active City of Seattle Business License.
Be located in Seattle city limits.
Follow all federal, state, and city laws and regulations.

Who this program is designed for

We expect most participants to:

Be an independently owned, non-chain grocery store with no more than two locations.
Carry a full range of staple foods, including fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, or fish; dairy; and breads or cereals.
- Produce stands are also eligible to apply
Be authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
Have site control at their current location through at least December 31, 2029, through one of the following:
- a. A current lease that runs through at least December 31, 2029.
- b. A current lease that ends before December 31, 2029, plus either a signed letter of intent from the property owner to renew or extend the lease through at least December 31, 2029, or an unexercised option to extend through at least that date.
- c. Proof of property ownership by the applicant or an affiliated entity, with a signed letter of intent to operate at the location for at least three years.
Have been in operation since at least January 1, 2024, and be able to provide 2024 and 2025 tax returns.
Have an owner or manager who can commit to attending the full program

If your store does not meet every criterion above, we still encourage you to apply. We may consider stores that fall outside these criteria when participation would offer a strong benefit to the store and its community, for example, a store that is a primary source of fresh food in its neighborhood.

Businesses not eligible for this program

Convenience stores, including those authorized to accept SNAP
Chain or corporately owned grocery stores
Businesses located outside Seattle city limits

What Do I Need To Apply?

Before you start, have ready: your 2024 and 2025 business tax returns, your Seattle business license number, and your lease or other proof that you can stay at your location through December 31, 2029, such as a landlord’s letter agreeing to renew or proof that you own the property (see Section 7). You can save your progress and return to finish later. Paper applications and help completing the application are available on request.

What Participation Involves

This program works best for owners ready to take an active role in their store’s future. Participation takes about 3 to 5 hours a month. An owner or authorized store manager may take part. Selected stores agree to:

Sign a participation agreement and attend the program kickoff in January 2027.
Host 6 store visits and join a monthly call with your grocery advisor. Each visit or call lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, and some take place during business hours.
Complete a short monthly report and check-in. This is how you earn the $500 monthly payment.
Share business and financial information your advisor needs to build your business plan.
Use the training courses in your staff training plan.
Complete short surveys at the start, middle and end of the program, and once more 6 months after it ends.
Manage your improvement project, with your advisor’s help: submit a funding request by April 2027 and complete the project by December 31, 2027.
Attend City of Seattle workshops, missing no more than two workshops during the program.

Stores that do not provide requested information, use the training courses or attend scheduled meetings may be removed from the program.

Selection Criteria & Review Process

IGA and the City of Seattle will review and score applications based on each store’s community impact, the value of the program to the store, and the likelihood of completing the program.

We also score applications and prioritize awards based on these factors:

Community impact: We will consider projects or business owners that provide benefits to the community and make a positive difference.
Business stability: We will confirm a baseline stability of the business by looking at gross sales, income, and business owner’s experience.
Program value: We will consider the fit for this program and which stores would benefit most from participating.
Equity: We will prioritize applicants serving high displacement risk neighborhoods, businesses in areas that are under served by other grocery retailers, and legacy businesses (10+ years).

Interviews and notification: Stores with high scores may be invited to a short interview the week of December 7. Final selections are approved by the Seattle Office of Economic Development. All applicants will hear whether they were selected by December 16, 2026. Strong applicants who are not selected may be placed on a waitlist and contacted if a spot opens.

Interviews: Interviews are short conversations by phone or video lasting no more than one hour. Questions will be shared in advance.

Additional notes:

We will evaluate your store’s needs and potential to benefit from this program, not your writing quality. Short answers and bullet points are welcome.
Sharing financial challenges does not disqualify your store, it helps us understand how the program could support you.

Information Session

Join a virtual information session on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 10 AM PT, for an overview of the program, the application and what participation involves, with time for questions. A recording will be posted on this page afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost anything to apply or take part?

No. There is no fee to apply or to participate. Participation also comes with financial support: $500 a month (up to $6,000 over the year) for completing monthly reports and check-ins, and eligibility for up to $29,000 in approved equipment and store improvements.

Will my store have to become an IGA store or change its name?

No. Your store keeps its name, signs and identity. The one-year IGA membership is for access to IGA’s training courses and other resources.

What can the improvement funds pay for?

Approved projects such as building improvements, equipment, technology (like point-of-sale or inventory systems) and merchandising (like signage). Funds cannot pay for inventory, wages, debt, rent, fines or taxes. Projects must be approved and completed by December 31, 2027. If your project costs more than $29,000, you will need to show how you will cover the rest.

How much time does the program take?

About 3 to 5 hours a month. Store visits and calls last about 1 to 1.5 hours each, and some take place during business hours. An owner or authorized store manager may take part.

I have two stores. Can I apply?

Yes. The program is designed for businesses with no more than two locations. A separate application is required for each store.

My store doesn’t meet every requirement. Should I still apply?

Yes. We may consider stores that fall outside the criteria when participation would offer a strong benefit to the store and its community, for example a store that is a primary source of fresh food in its neighborhood.

What if English is not my first language?

You may answer the written questions in the language you are most comfortable with. Program and advisor meetings are held in English; let us know in the application if you would like an interpreter.

Who will see my financial information?

Only the IGA and City staff who score applications. Tax returns are used to confirm your store’s annual sales and basic business stability. Sharing financial challenges does not disqualify your store. Under state law, financial and commercial information submitted when applying for City economic development programs is exempt from public disclosure (RCW 42.56.270(4)).

Will the information I submit be public?

Information submitted is subject to the Washington Public Records Act. Please read the Public Disclosure statement at the start of the application.

Help and Accessibility

Questions about the program: Ashley Page, IGA, apage@igainc.com | (773) 742-7417
Help with your application, a paper application, interpretation or disability accommodations: Eduardo Rojas, Seattle Office of Economic Development, Eduardo.Rojas@seattle.gov | (206) 561-5181
Seattle business license: Seattle Finance Department, tax@seattle.gov | (206) 684-8484
Washington State business license (UBI): Washington Department of Revenue, dor.wa.gov

Apply

Application deadline: Friday, December 4, 2026, at 11:59pm PT. Late applications will not be accepted.

Apply online: You can save your progress and return to finish later.
Download the application questions (PDF): Use this to prepare your answers before you start, or to complete a paper application.

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