Commerce Director Fong announces first round of grants to assist Washington state applications for millions in federal funds OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce today announced the first two rounds of grants from a new program designed to assist communities in capturing opportunities to receive a share of billions in federal funding currently available to states. The Securing Federal Funding Initiative, funded by the Washington State Legislature, supports…
Author Archives: Penny Thomas
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened nominations for the 18th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on long-term community planning and development. Nominations feature the best our state has to offer in collaborative community development and local comprehensive planning. Community leaders look to this…
Commerce study outlines priorities, strategies to grow creative sector which represents nearly 20% of total state economic production OLYMPIA, WA – The creative sector accounts for nearly 20% of Washington state’s economy, contributing nearly $120 billion annually to the state GDP, according to a report released today from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The report, produced with the assistance of the Creative Economy Strategic Work Group and lead contractor…
Additional grant funding is available through March to support regional planning for vulnerable residents at the lowest income levels OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $240,000 to five community partnerships across the state to support coordination of land use planning and homeless services planning. Each city or county-led partnership will use the funds to coordinate resources and plan for their lowest income housing needs, including residents…
Targeted investments address BIPOC and historically marginalized communities, look to reduce inflow, waitlists in homeless crisis response system OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced more than $1.2 million in grants to provide homelessness diversion services throughout Washington state. The program is intended to help families and individuals identify practical solutions for resolving a housing crisis quickly and safely, and may include short-term services and financial…
Funding going to nonprofits, utilities, tribes and public agencies in communities with highest need OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Jay Inslee joined Washington State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong today to announce over $85 million in grants that will fund nearly 5,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in communities throughout the state. All of the funds are going to nonprofits, electric utilities, tribes and public agencies, and half of…
Commerce grants help Washington communities take another step toward meeting projected need for 1.1 million new housing units over next 20 years OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $47 million in funding for infrastructure improvements to support 43 construction projects that will provide more than 3000 units of affordable housing statewide. Washington state is projected to need 1.1 million new units of housing over the…
Updated 2:05 p.m. 1/24/24 Funding aims to meet young people where they are, through schools, community services, and health services OLYMPIA, WA — Washington’s Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) in the Department of Commerce today announced $4.8 million in grants to 19 organizations to help prevent and address housing instability among young people. Grants will fund school-based interventions, crisis interventions to help youth and families resolve conflict, and support to…
Historic funding to increase state’s affordable housing stock by 3,913 multifamily/rental units and new homes for low-income homebuyers OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced historic investments totaling $312.6 million to address the urgent need for affordable housing in communities throughout Washington state. Lack of affordable housing and sufficient supportive housing options for vulnerable populations are top contributors to chronic homelessness. It is estimated that over…
2023 Legislative Report details progress, recommendations, next steps in addressing gun violence in Washington communities OLYMPIA, WA — Firearm violence is a persistent health and safety threat for communities and families in Washington state, where a person is killed with a gun every 12 hours (Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Dashboard). These deaths and injuries are preventable. Three years into its work to support and coordinate the implementation…