FDI Strategy Encourages Investment Throughout the State

Foreign investment is humming right along nationwide. After a slight drop during the Great Recession, investments are strong once again, topping $373.4 billion nationwide. Washington State is focused on attracting quality investments that support our key sector strategy and which will contribute to prosperity and economic growth throughout the state. Part of the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, the FDI team markets the state to potential investors worldwide.

FDI Update

Attracting foreign investment in Washington State projects often requires years of networking, meetings and follow-ups.

The key to success is building personal relationships and demonstrating that Washington State is an ideal fit for a particular project or investment strategy to international audiences of key decision makers.

Even though this level of relationship building can take years, even decades, to get a return on the investment, the Department of Commerce’s FDI team has managed to make solid inroads over the last few years.

This portfolio, which features approximately 50 projects, has been introduced at more than a dozen U.S. and international shows, including trade missions to Japan, Korea and China.

Vicinity Motors investing $20 million in new factory

A rendering of the electric bus Vicinity Motors plans to build in Washington State.Canadian electric vehicle manufacturer, Vicinity Motors, is building a new factory to assemble sustainable, innovative electric buses in Whatcom County. 

The company is  planning to build 1,000 buses a year in a new 58,000 square-foot facility located near the Canadian border.  

Vicinity Motors expects to invest at least $20 million as part of this project.   

Read more about the investment.

Noteworthy wins

Silfab – The Canadian  manufacturer opened its first solar panel assembly facility in Bellingham, Washington and a second one in Burlington, about 24 miles south. Companies like Silfab are helping the state reach its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.

ZeroAvia – A startup developing
hydrogen powered commercial jetliners, ZeroAvia will open a research facility in Everett, investing $5.5 million to lease and prepare their new site.

Jubilant-HollisterStier – The Indian life-sciences company broke ground on a $92 million expansion in Spokane in late 2021. The expanded office is expected to create 200 additional jobs at the pharmaceuticals firm and will boost Jubilant’s production capacity by 50%.

StabiCraft – This New Zealand based firm builds rugged aluminum boats for fishing, diving, and recreation. In late 2021, StabiCraft leased a new manufacturing facility in Port Angeles, which will serve as their North American HQ.  

Additional Information

Overview of Washington State

Why Washington?

Washington Investment Portfolio

Need Help?

Contact the Foreign Direct Investment team in the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at 206-256-6100.

Or visit ChooseWashington.com to learn more about business and investment opportunities in Washington State.