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Central Washington Energy Consortium wins Innovation Partnership Zone status
SubTitle
10/1/2009
Divisions: Economic Development
Programs:
Area:
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 1, 2009
Contact: Nisha Wade, Commerce Communications, 360.725.4039
Mary Trimarco, Business Development Manager, 206.256.6146
Central Washington Energy Consortium wins Innovation Partnership Zone status
The CWREC is a partnership to advance low-carbon technology by leveraging alternative energy resources – wind and solar – in Kittitas County. The IPZ will research and develop new wind, solar and other renewable technologies.
“I am delighted that the state’s Department of Commerce has approved an Innovation Partnership Zone in Kittitas County. In creating the Innovation Partnership Zones, I directed the department to choose locations with enormous potential, where research and education are rooted next to globally competitive businesses. Kittitas County is one of those places. I am confident this will support our state’s efforts in being a leader in the clean-energy economy,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire.
“The Central Washington Regional Energy Consortium will help commercialize new technologies that are vital to economic development and a comprehensive state energy plan for the future,” said Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “Collaborations like this are what we need to boost Washington’s leadership toward a lower carbon economy.”
The work of the IPZ will be conducted through collaboration with Puget Sound Energy, enXco, and CWU’s “Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology Degree Program,” which is expected to launch in 2010. In addition, the Central Washington University Research Foundation will serve as an intellectual resource enabling collaboration, development of technologies and commercialization.
“This is really a momentous event for the future of Kittitas County,” said Kittitas County Commissioner Paul Jewell. “This is an opportunity for us to bring some solid job growth to our county and to shape the future of our economy.”
“We’re really excited about this designation,” said Ron Cridlebaugh, Kittitas IPZ administrator and executive director of the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County. “It’s going to be a catalyst for us as we move forward with economic development. One of the greatest things that came out of this is the collaboration and commitment from a variety of partners to make something happen in this county.”
The IPZ program was created in 2007 by Gov. Gregoire and the Washington State Legislature. It is one of many efforts to stimulate the growth of industry clusters and to build regional economies. IPZs empower regions to form partnerships between research entities, private sector partners, and workforce training to collaborate and develop commercially viable technologies.
There are now 12 IPZs in the state of Washington. Designations are made Oct. 1, every other year, by the director of Commerce.
For more information on the Washington State Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.
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Local Contacts:
Ron Cridlebaugh, Kittitas IPZ administrator and executive director of the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County, 509.962.7244
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