In 2014, over 100 Seattle-based companies and organizations joined together to form an alliance. The result? A network of local businesses dedicated to supporting each other, the regional economy, and the overarching community.
This alliance is known as Seattle Made, and we at Little Rae’s Bakery are proud to be a part of it. The concept is modeled off of SF Made, a successful urban manufacturing coalition formed in San Francisco. Similar coalitions are popping up all over the country, and the trend is quickly becoming a national movement.
The purpose of Seattle Made is to “grow and support a diverse ecosystem of urban manufacturers and producers that expand opportunities for local ownership and meaningful employment, build our region’s long-term resiliency, and celebrate Seattle’s unique cultural identity.” So far, the program has been an enormous success, thanks to founding partners like BECU, Washington Federal, Pike’s Brewing Company, and others.
The importance of supporting local businesses cannot be overstated. As Seattle Made notes, some of the biggest benefits include job creation, increased state and city revenue, and a reduction of the region’s carbon footprint.
“Producing locally—from food and energy to materials and consumer products—means more secure jobs and income for our region and less reliance on an often uncertain global economy,” the Seattle Made website explains. “A broader, more vibrant local manufacturing sector will provide a more diverse base of living wage jobs, a more fertile landscape for entrepreneurs, and enormous opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of production and distribution.”
At Little Rae’s Bakery, we’re honored to join the list of Seattle-based companies that are working toward building a more robust community, including Theo Chocolate, Filson, and Joe Chocolates Company. We’d also like to thank you—our loyal customers—for supporting our vision of a brighter future.