As many of you know, OCVA has welcomed several new staff over the past few months, and we have seen some folks promote into new roles. We are excited to share a few updates. New Faces Name and pronouns: Mikah Semrow, they/them/theirs Current role at OCVA: Section Manager, Sexual Assault Services Previous role or a bit about your background: I’ve worked in many different types of grantee organizations related to sexual assault,…
As construction costs rise, Housing Trust Fund investments help keep multifamily projects moving forward OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced it would supplement 22 multifamily affordable housing projects with an additional $26.6 million from the state Housing Trust fund. This additional funding will bridge the gap created by steep increases in construction costs and help support developers in maintaining a needed pipeline of affordable housing…
The Department of Commerce is excited to announce it has finalized a contract for the Harriet Tubman Foundation for Safe Passage to manage the Community Reinvestment Account Plan! HTFFSP has proven expertise in BIPOC-led community engagement and academic leadership that will serve to connect us with the communities most affected by the war on drugs. Their founder, Ms. Jesse Miller leads with heart as a person of lived experience with…
Exploring the fascinating future of maritime with our Norwegian partners We were welcomed to Norway with a briefing from the US Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce in Oslo. After being properly equipped with local knowledge, we traveled to Horten, to spend the day with Kongsberg Maritime. The Norwegian-owned company is a strong maritime partner and investor in Washington state, both through Kongsberg Underwater Technology located in Lynnwood, WA and…
Exploring clean fuels, quantum computing, the future of maritime and celebrating collaboration with Finland The past couple of days have been extremely exciting and productive, including a visit to Neste World Headquarters in Espoo, Finland. Originally an oil and gas company, Neste is now the leading supplier of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel to the U.S. as well as a supplier of renewable diesel and recycled and renewable plastics.…
Washington Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently appointed former Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove as the new chair of the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). In addition to serving as mayor and city council member from 1994-2019, Echanove is currently employed at Washington State University’s Pullman Campus. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho. “Michael brings a unique blend of experience in local government and rural community and economic that…
Finland visits offer insight on industry transformation through 5G, nuclear waste management & more The familiar comfort of rainy Finnish skies welcomed Commerce’s Innovation Cluster delegates on our first day of the Washington state trade mission to the Nordic region. The day began with a briefing from the U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Douglas Hickey and his staff. We visited the Nokia Experience Center, learning about work to bring internet conductivity…
The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) is preparing for the second and final round of funding under monies made available by the American Recovery Plan Act. While the second round will not be released until sometime in November of 2022, with this notice, WSBO is soliciting comments on important issues that will inform WSBO in crafting scoring requirements for the Fall Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO) as well as certain…
Solar panels coming to more schools, public buildings statewide with latest round of Commerce grants
$1.4 million awarded to fund 14 projects that will produce sustainable energy and energy savings in communities across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $1.4 million in grants to state and local government agencies to install solar panels at public buildings in communities throughout the state. The 14 projects awarded funding in this round will support community efforts to move toward sustainable energy…
More than $562 million in sales attributed to State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a tenth year of funding to help state small businesses grow through exporting. The $1.4 million grant to Washington, part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), is one of the two largest awarded from a total…