“Border Crossing: Canadian firms find currency and other advantages in Washington” highlights Canadian companies that have established operations in Washington state. In addition, the article discusses Washington’s growing interactive media industry, stating that Washington has become “one of the world's leaders in the interactive media industry.”

Snohomish Times: Snohomish County’s government fleet going green
Snohomish County has converted two of its Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to fully electric vehicles as part of the Plugin Center PHEV Pilot Project of Washington. These vehicles are two of 130 across the nation providing data for the Idaho National Laboratory to analyze in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity. Snohomish County was recently honored as the third best government green fleet in North America. Read the story in the Snohomish Times.

Bellingham Herald: "New, clean technology will help local economy turn around"
"New technology has been the way out of many recessions and economic downturns, and this area is well-positioned to do just that..."

Amazon.com CEO named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. News & World Report
In their annual special report, U.S. News & World Report interviews Jeff Bezos on the need for companies to have a long-term view and his commitment to Amazon.com customers. Founded in 1994 as an online bookstore, Amazon.com is now the web’s largest retailer.

"The Port of Seattle unveils the new third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation on hand, the first flights touched down on the new runway, which is expected to reduce arrival delays by as much as 80 percent. For the Port of Seattle, this means a decrease in flight delays from an average of 10 minutes to 2.5 minutes.

Life Sciences Discovery Fund Announces 2009 Grant Competitions
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) announces its 2009 grant competitions. The new grant awards will stimulate commercialization of early-stage technologies.

Peninsula Daily News: “Necessity is the mother of invention: North Olympic Peninsula entrepreneurs' ideas make grade for viability program”
The Peninsula Daily News reports on a new program administered by the Clallam County Economic Development Council. The Access, Translation, Valuation program evaluates the originality and financial potential of business ideas.

Washington ranks second in “The 2008 State New Economy Index”
Washington is one of five states “leading the United States’ transformation into a global, entrepreneurial and knowledge- and innovation-based New Economy,” says the Kauffman Foundation report. Washington scored high due to strengths in software and aviation.

Seminar teaches how to export under NAFTA
Learn how to determine if your products qualify for NAFTA duty-free tariff treatment and how to accurately complete the NAFTA Certificate of Origin at a one-day seminar hosted by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED).

Washington ranks sixth for competitiveness
Washington ranked sixth in the eighth annual state competitiveness report from the Beacon Hill Institute. Read the story at the Puget Sound Business Journal. For the full report, click here.

Business Xpansion Journal Washington State Profile: “Washington Is Home To Endless Discoveries”
Business Xpansion Journal profiles the strong economic development investments made in Washington state and highlights the state’s key industries like clean technology.

T-Mobile Expands in Bothell, Snohomish County
Wireless telecommunications company T-Mobile USA, Inc. recently announced a plan to relocate its Information Technology (IT) Center of Excellence to Bothell’s Canyon Park in spring 2009.

Washington State Tourism Commission Selects New Co-Chair
The Washington State Tourism Commission has elected Kimberly Bennett, CEO of the Southwest Washington Convention and Visitors Bureau, to serve as co-chair of the commission.

Expansion Solutions Magazine: Washington State Review
Expansion Solutions Magazine reports on Washington state, including being named third best state for business by Forbes, the Life Sciences Discovery Fund awards, and the winners of the 2008 Economic Development and Workforce Best Practices awards.

Washington at forefront of ultrasound technology
Washington has played a central role in making ultrasound technology one of medicine’s most fundamental tools for looking inside the body to see what’s going right or wrong, without having to lift a scalpel. Read the story at Xconomy.

Washington wine exports growing
Washington wineries are building the image of Washington as a world-class growing region. Exports make up about 5 percent of the state's wine business, and it’s a growing market.  Washington’s increasing global recognition is important as it increases the sustainability of the industry.  Read the story at the Tri-City Herald.