Forbes: Washington Jumps to Third Best State to do Business
In a national study released today Forbes ranked Washington as the third “best state for business.” Washington moved up from its fifth place ranking in Forbes’ 50-state survey last year, and up from 12th place in 2006.

Tri-City Herald: Japanese Trade Officials Visit State's Businesses
Brenda Handley sees business opportunities in Eastern Washington… Handley, who's half Japanese, was part of a 22-member group of Japanese and state trade officials, state legislators and Japanese-American business owners who visited Tuesday east-side businesses that export goods to Japan or are owned by Japanese.

State Board Invests More Than $2 Million to Spark Job Creation
The State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) announced more than $2 million in public investments to create new jobs and boost business growth in Columbia, Spokane and Whitman counties. The 20-member board is comprised of representatives of large and small businesses from across the state and representatives of state, local and tribal government.

Puget Sound Business Journal: Bothell Leaders Plan to Stay Friendly With Biomed Firms
Bothell wants to make sure it continues to dance with the biomedical industry. For years, without much prodding or help from outside entities, medical device companies and biomedical firms have made their home in the office parks of this Eastside community. Ultrasound-, defibrillator-, surgical device-makers and the like have found the relatively low office leasing rates, compared to the rest of the region, and the location a good fit for their companies. (Subscription required.)

Chelan, Mount Vernon, and Olympia Selected as Main Street™ Communities
CTED announced Chelan, Mount Vernon, and Olympia have been selected at the Main Street™ designation level of its Downtown Revitalization Tier System Network.

Spokane Area Businesses Recognized for Workplace Flexibility and Effectiveness
Three Spokane area companies were named winners of the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility, distinguishing them as leading practitioners of workplace flexibility in the Spokane region and across the nation.

Washington Technology Center Awards $512,269 in Research Funding
Washington Technology Center awarded Research and Technology Development funding totaling $512,269 to seven projects developed between companies and Washington researchers.

Site Selection Magazine Names Amazon.com’s New Seattle Headquarters One of 10 “Deals of the Year”
Amazon.com’s $1.5 billion, 11 building campus will be located in Seattle’s South Lake Union District. Bringing with it 3,000 new jobs, Amazon’s new headquarters comes to an area which already boasts offices for Microsoft, REI, Zymogenetics, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Innovation Partnership Zones on the Web
Created in 2007, Washington state’s Innovation Partnership Zones link state resources with globally connected companies, ground-breaking researchers, and influential trade organizations to identify and nurture innovation in its earliest stages. IPZs aim to spur creativity and fuel healthy competition to keep the state’s diverse economic engine moving forward. CTED will announce the next designations of IPZs in September 2008. Check out the site’s interactive map to learn more about Washington’s 11 current designated IPZs.

Washington CEO Names 100 Best Companies to Work For in Washington
Washington CEO Magazine announced its list of the 2008 Best Companies to Work For in Washington. The list is based on criteria such as effective communication, training, responsibility and decision-making, performance standards, rewards and recognition, benefits, leadership, work environment, hiring and retention, and corporate culture.

Milken Institute Report Ranks Washington Fifth in Technology Industry
Washington state ranked fifth in the Nation in the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index. Massachusetts was ranked first, followed by Maryland, Colorado and California. Click to read Milken’s press release and view the full report.