FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2009
CTED becomes Washington State Department of Commerce, heightens focus on job growth
Gov. Gregoire addresses staff at former Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development as agency launches new direction.
OLYMPIA, WA – Gov. Chris Gregoire joined employees of the Washington State Department of Commerce today at a kick-off event for the agency’s new name and mission to grow and improve jobs in the state.
Formerly known as the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development or “CTED,”
2009 legislation created the new Department of Commerce to more efficiently and effectively lead a comprehensive state plan for economic development. The legal name change officially takes place at midnight on Sunday. The complex process of evaluating and reorganizing a diverse portfolio of more than 250 programs currently administered by the agency is now underway.
Gregoire appointed
Rogers Weed to head Commerce in March. Weed will present recommendations to the Governor and Legislature in November for focusing the department to better serve the needs of business in order to grow and improve jobs in Washington state.
“We want to bring Washington into the 21st century,” Gregoire said. “The strongest way to build communities is to ensure we have a successful business environment that provides good, family-wage jobs. We will continue to focus on keeping the companies and jobs we have, and bringing new business to our state. I look forward to working with Rogers and the dedicated team at Commerce to see what we can do together.”
“Our vision is for the Department of Commerce to be the widely recognized business champion in state government and a respected leader and partner with the private sector in growing our state’s economy for the benefit of all of our citizens,” said Weed.
The department is just concluding an unprecedented six-week statewide outreach tour titled “
Commerce Connections” that included more than 90 separate meetings with small and large businesses, local governments, housing and community service agencies, economic development organizations, utilities, statewide associations and interest groups, and legislators. Input from these stakeholder groups will be critical to informing the Commerce report due this fall.
“As we’ve traveled throughout the state, it’s clear that even in the midst of the worst economic climate in more than 50 years, we have some tremendous opportunities to work together to capitalize on our history of innovation, economic diversity and strong industry sectors to keep Washington globally competitive and growing,” said Weed.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.