SEATTLE — Ongoing crime has led a city-funded biotech startup to decide to leave Seattle.
The business owner says he's tried to get help from the City Council.
Jan Allen, owner of Impact Bioenergy in Ballard, walked a KIRO 7 News crew around his biotech unit parked in a Ballard parking lot, pointing out the crimes that have happened to him over the past few months and year.
"We've had our copper wires stolen twice, we've had our cardboard tricycle that was stolen. We're finding needles and fecal material all the time," said Allen. "What's happening is they get a hold of the wires on one end or the other, and they pull them out. It's just a fight. A struggle to keep electricity going to the unit."
The business manufactures portable bioenergy systems that convert food waste into fertilizer and fuel.
The business started with a city grant, but now Allen says because of the crime costs, he has to leave the city that gave Impact its birth.
"We've got to find somewhere else to be until we can afford to be here. This is pretty expensive to have to keep repairing the machine over and over," said Allen.
Allen says he has several locations, including in Vashon and Auburn. But the location in Ballard is the only one that's been having issues.
Allen says there is no upfront job loss with the closure of the Seattle business, but what is lost is the service to surrounding businesses.
He said he hopes to return to Seattle one day when city leaders take initiative.
"There's no resolution that's at the doorstep, so we're just hopeful that there's courage of leadership to really address the crime issue," said Allen.
More news from KIRO 7
- ICE: Teen's murder preventable, undocumented suspect shielded by sanctuary policies
- Vehicles erupt into flames after collision on I-5 in Federal Way
- Sparking, flashing power lines caught on camera falling onto traffic on I-5 in Bellingham
- Woman seriously hurt in Lakewood apartment fire
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
Cox Media Group
