Small Business Advocates

Citywide Business Advocacy Team

The Citywide Business Advocacy Team (CBAT) is a multi-departmental leadership team that works to address business issues and consists of representatives from the following offices and departments:

• Seattle Office of Economic Development

• Seattle Department of Transportation

• Seattle Public Utilities

• Seattle City Light

• Seattle Department of Constructions and Inspections

• Office of Labor Standards

• Office of Civil Rights

• Finance and Administrative Services

• Department of Neighborhoods, and the Seattle Fire Department.

CBAT provides the highest level of customer service to all Seattle businesses in support of job creation, economic diversity, and racial equity. CBAT's functions include:

• Resolving issues for small businesses

• Tracking issues and identify trends and/or systemic problems

• Reviewing new and changing City policies affecting small businesses as they arise by department and communicate those new and/or changing polices with fellow CBAT members

• Advising small businesses how to support their workforce and comply with labor standards

• Recommending regulatory and policy changes to the Mayor and City Council based on its experiences.

Team members work proactively, whenever possible, as well as action through real time solution making, in partnership with the Mayor's Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) and businesses, to resolve business issues in a manner that protects the public health, safety, and welfare of the city, and in a manner that meets the needs of businesses we serve.