Washington State: Innovation is in our Nature
The December/January Issue of Business Xpansion Journal features an article written by CTED highlighting Washington’s success in fostering innovation in business and promoting collaboration among economic developers. Through innovations such as the Innovation Partnership Zones, green collar legislation, and the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, Washington is nurturing the engine and ideas that spawn new technologies and innovative ideas.

Port Townsend named 24th historic destination worldwide by National Geographic Traveler
Port Townsend was recognized by National Geographic Traveler magazine as No. 24 out of 109 historic destinations worldwide. The rankings are based off “environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future.” See the list here.

According to the magazine, many of the U.S. destinations that scored well “owe much of their success to downtown revitalization programs like Main Street.” CTED’s Main Street program helps communities revitalize the economy, appearance and image of their downtown commercial districts.

Washington state featured in Site Selection magazine
Site Selection magazine profiled Washington state in two articles. Bothell’s “world-renowned cluster of ultrasound research and development and manufacturing” is featured in “Centers of Excellence: Technology transfer cultivates device and equipment clusters.”

Green construction series offered by Bates Technical College
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has named Bates Technical College of Tacoma an approved education provider for its online green construction and remodeling series. The series is the state’s first to earn the USGBC Approved Education Provider designation. The series is targeted to professionals who want to learn more about green construction principles and strategies and allows them to earn a designation beyond the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a certification for the green construction, design and operation of buildings. 

Bates’ green construction series is another step forward for Washington’s clean industries and green economy.

Everett Herald: U.S. Navy and Snohomish County PUD exploring tidal energy
The U.S. Navy and Snohomish County PUD are both exploring tidal energy off Marrowstone Island, southeast of Port Townsend, as a source of electricity. The Navy plans to begin a one-year pilot project involving two to six Navy tidal turbines in 2010 and will use electricity generated by currents to light a parking lot or buildings on Indian Island. The PUD is studying different types of turbines and plans to launch the project in 2011. Read the story in the Everett Herald.

Project could bring economic benefits from wind energy to Southeast Washington
Puget Sound Energy and Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. filed a Conditional Use Permit application with Garfield County which takes them one step closer to bringing wind energy and its economic benefits to Southeast Washington. The permit application follows the companies’ agreement to develop and construct the Lower Snake River Wind Energy Project, a new wind energy facility planned in Washington’s Garfield and Columbia counties. The new project could expand the economic benefits and opportunities created by existing wind power facilities in Columbia County. Learn more from Puget Sound Energy.

Seattle chosen as one of the most desirable places to live
Americans ranked Seattle as one of the top cities where they would like to live. Seattle, Denver and San Diego topped the list of 30 cities. Read the full Pew Research Center report here.

Forbes: Seattle is “Most Wired City”
Seattle’s increased use of broadband powered it to the top of Forbes' annual list of the 30 most broadband-connected cities in the U.S. High marks in broadband access and wi-fi hot spots helped Seattle beat out Atlanta and Washington, D.C., to clinch the top spot. This designation comes after Washington was named a leader in transforming into a global, entrepreneurial and knowledge and innovation-based economy in the 2008 State New Economy Index released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Kauffman Foundation. Read the Forbes story here.

Gov. Gregoire announces investments in work force, economic development initiatives
Highlighting the value of public-private partnerships in building a healthy economy, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced funding for six projects that will help local industries and increase jobs. The state Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board awarded nearly $700,000 in federal funds to six partnerships in Washington ranging from maritime transportation to interactive media.

Three Washington-shot films to be shown at 2009 Sundance Film Festival
Three Seattle-based projects will be shown at the Sundance Film Festival, which opened Jan. 15, in Park City, Utah. They are: “Humpday,” written and directed by Washington native Lynn Shelton; “World’s Greatest Dad,” staring Robin Williams; and “The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle,” written and directed by Washington native David Russo. Both “World’s Greatest Dad” and “The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle” received location and logistical assistance from the Washington State Film Office, and funding assistance from WashingtonFilmWorks. Read the story at the Seattle Times.

Tech industry leaders to discuss innovative and sustainable business solutions at Washington’s Innovation Summit
Washington Technology Center’s 2009 conference, Washington’s Innovation Summit, will bring together more than 400 innovators and thought leaders driving industry development in sustainable energy, innovative materials and manufacturing, urban sustainability, and healthy ecosystems. Washington's Innovation Summit will examine strategies and tactics that the state’s technology industry and economic development leaders can use to position our state at the forefront of technology innovation. Visit the summit’s Web site or check out the summit blog for more information on the April 9 event.

The Olympian: “Trade chief: Gregoire is helping the economy”
“The state's top trade and economic development official told lawmakers Wednesday morning that Gov. Chris Gregoire's administration is working hard to aid economic expansion projects around the state. Larry Williams, the interim director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, told the House Community, Economic Development and Trade Committee that it's a tough time to create jobs, and competition is "fierce" and well-organized.

Workers choose Seattle: Washington’s Emerald City ranks as one of the most desirable places to work and live
Two separate surveys, one conducted by the Human Capital Institute and another conducted by Relocation.com, have identified Seattle as one of the most desired cities in America to relocate to. The Human Capital Institute survey asked workers to name the city where they would most want to relocate if their dream job required them to, while the Relocation.com survey analyzed census data and data supplied by moving companies. Both surveys ranked the Emerald City as the sixth most popular destination for movers. Respondents named Seattle’s climate, parks and sense of community as the city’s best attributes. Read the stories at BusinessWeek.com and the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Washington Technology Center Awards $561,797 in Research Funding
Eight company-researcher projects have been awarded state funding for the development of innovative commercial technology applications. Winning proposals described innovative research in computer systems and microelectronics, advanced materials and manufacturing, food safety and quality, and biotechnology and biomedical devices.

More businesses in Kitsap County today than a year ago
More businesses are operating today in Kitsap than there were a year ago, and new business license applications are soaring. In just the past six months, more than 1,900 business licenses were issued by the four cities and the county. This is nearly a thousand more business start-ups than during the same period a year ago and more than occurred during the entire year of 2001, 2002 or 2003. Read the article from Bill Stewart, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal. 

U.S. News & World Report names Washington No. 1 state to start a business
Washington state is named the best state to start a business by U.S. News & World Report, based on high rankings in the 2008 New State Economy Index and the Small Business Survival Index 2008. Washington is cited as being “first among the states in steps toward energy efficiency and using more alternative-energy sources” and is noted for its strong manufacturing sector and low taxes.