The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the White Center Community Development Association each were awarded $5,000 from the city when Mayor Greg Nickels presented funding awards totaling $128,384 to 22 Neighborhood Business District Associations throughout Seattle.

The monetary awards are given to "continue the city’s investments in building healthy communities and supporting our local economy," according to a press release from the city.

The West Seattle Chamber says it will use its funds toward “sustainable tourism" by producing a tourism video to market West Seattle as an urban recreational destination.

The White Center Community Development Center will develop a business district branding campaign.

“Our business districts are the economic engines that provide jobs and create the unique character in our neighborhoods across Seattle,” said Nickels, who presented the awards at a community event in Columbia City May 21. “This is one more way the city continues to invest in our local business districts, joining neighborhood chambers and merchants associations to support Seattle’s small businesses.”

The Office of Economic Development (OED) received proposals totaling more than three times the amount of money available, according to the city.

“The Office of Economic Development is a proud partner of our local neighborhood business districts citywide,” said Steve Johnson, acting director of the Office of Economic Development. “This money allows 22 of our business districts to strengthen their local business communities, from helping businesses save costs and decrease their carbon footprint, to supporting marketing efforts that bring more shoppers to the districts.”

Some examples of the projects funded include creation of new business organizations, tourism initiatives, business district promotion (branding, marketing campaigns, farmers market start-up), and physical improvement and enhancement projects (leaf clean up, curb bulb landscaping and banners).

Other organizations receiving the 2009 Neighborhood Business District Awards are:

African Business Association, $5,000
Business Owners of Madrona, $3,500
Capitol Hill Housing, $5,000
Chinatown International District BIA, $7,000
Columbia City Business Association, $11,880
Georgetown Merchants Association, $5,000
Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce, $6,000
Greater Seattle Business Association, $15,000
Greater University Chamber of Commerce, $2,000
Lake City Chamber of Commerce, $5,000
Madison Valley Merchants Association, $4,200
Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, $2,600
Metropolitan Improvement District, $4,144
Picture Perfect Queen Anne, $4,000
Pioneer Square Community Association, $7,500
Rainier Beach Merchants Association, $3,850
Rainier Chamber of Commerce, $3,710
SODO Business Association, $8,000
South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce, $10,000