High-tech jobs continue to grow in Washington
March 31, 2009 – Washington’s high-tech industry added jobs for the fourth year in a row, according to a report by TechAmerica based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s high-tech industry added 11,300 jobs for a total of 174,100 in 2007, ranking third nationally in tech-sector growth. The report also found that state’s 7,700 high-tech establishments employ 72 of every 1,000 private sector workers, ranking Washington 7th in the nation. The state also maintained its rank as the country’s top employer of software publishers in 2007 as the software publishing industry remained Washington’s largest sector. To learn more about Washington high-tech jobs, read the report at TechAmerica.
Everett Herald Editorial: “Exports remain key to state's prosperity”
March 30, 2009 – Washington’s exports hit record highs in 2008, and according to state Sen. Paull Shin of Edmonds’ 21st Legislative District, focusing on exports could enhance the state’s future economic opportunities. To help Washington businesses take advantage of global trade opportunities, the Washington state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) works to build stronger foreign trade relationships and leverage the state’s ideal geographic location. CTED has international trade representatives in seven overseas offices that can connect small businesses with overseas buyers, agents, and distributors and can help businesses navigate the process of selling overseas. The Senate has also formed the International Relations Subcommittee to focus on port expansion, trade opportunities, international education, diplomacy and tourism. To learn more about trade in Washington, visit CTED’s International Trade and Economic Development Web site or read Sen. Shin’s editorial on exports in Washington in the Everett Herald.
Washington’s tech stars honored at WTIA Industry Achievement Awards
March 30, 2009 – The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) honored the top technology innovators and companies in the state at its 25th annual Industry Achievement Awards. This year, winners were selected by the local technology community as a whole in an online vote. Award winners included Visible Technologies for Commercial Product or Service of the Year; Wetpaint for Consumer Product or Service of the Year; Ontela for Breakthrough Startup of the Year; AdReady for Service Provider of the Year; and Snohomish County Planning & Development Services for Best Use of Technology in Government, Non-Profit or Education. Additionally, Darrin Massena, co-founder and chief technology officer of Picnik, was named Technology Innovator of the Year; and Israel Zemeadim, an eighth-grader at Washington Middle School, was named Technology Leader of Tomorrow. To learn more about the award winners and WTIA, view the press release or visit the WTIA Web site.
Ports expect trade to increase
March 30, 2009 – Washington’s ports expect container traffic and auto imports to increase in the coming years. The 2009 Marine Cargo Forecast, prepared for the state, expects container traffic will be the state’s fastest growing cargo type. It also expects auto imports to grow from 690,000 vehicles in 2007 to an estimated 1.5 million cars and trucks by 2030. Asia is forecasted to remain Washington’s top trading partner. Trade is an economic driver in Washington and, as reported in February, the state’s exports hit record highs in 2008. To learn more, read the Puget Sound Business Journal story or see the report from the Washington state Department of Transportation.
Economic growth at the top of the Tri-City Development Council’s agenda
March 30, 2009 – The Tri-City Development Council is discussed economic development at its 45th annual meeting. An economic development expert discussed ways the Tri-Cities can attract and develop business to grow the region’s economy. He said the ticket to Tri-Cities’ growth is a skilled labor force. The Tri-Cities expects to see economic growth in the coming months with the influx of federal stimulus money. Last year, about 1,800 non-farm jobs were created in the Tri-Cities, and according to Forbes.com, Kennewick has the second strongest employment outlook of all metropolitan areas for April through June. The region’s net employment outlook is 19 percent as its engineering, agriculture and technology industries all expect to create more jobs in the coming months. For more information on the Development Council meeting, read the two articles in the Tri-City Herald (March 26 article or March 27 article).
Sea-Tac International Airport connected to 18 European cities with new Icelandair service
March 25, 2009 – The Port of Seattle announced today that Icelandair will begin serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on July 22, 2009. Icelandair will connect travelers to 18 European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Munich and Barcelona, via its hub in Reykjavik, Iceland. With direct flights to both Europe and Asia, Sea-Tac Airport served more than 32 million passengers in 2008 and was the 18th busiest airport in the U.S. For more information, view the press release, go to the Sea-Tac Airport Web site or read Gov. Gregoire’s statement.
Downtown Revitalization Conference set for April 29-May 1 in Vancouver
March 25, 2009 – The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development’s (CTED) 23rd annual Downtown Revitalization Training Institute will take place April 29-May 1 in Vancouver, Wash. This popular conference brings together a group of specialists in the field of downtown revitalization, and is the only one of its kind in the state. The conference is open to staff and volunteers from organizations focusing on downtown economic development, downtown business and property owners, government leaders, and others with an interest in helping guide the future of their downtown. Attendees will learn downtown revitalization tools and techniques. Click here to read the press release or visit www.downtown.wa.gov for more information.
Funds from U.S. Department of Energy to bolster scientific research work at PNNL
March 25, 2009 – Washington’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) expects to receive $124 million in federal stimulus money to support its innovative research and work. With the funding, PNNL plans to purchase scientific equipment for complex research projects and make several of its buildings more energy efficient. The funding will also allow PNNL to advance its environmental, climate and energy research and technology. PNNL sits at the center of Tri-Cities Research District which was designated by Gov. Gregoire as an Innovation Partnership Zone in 2007. For more information, read the story in the Tri-City Herald.
Employment Security awards $500,000 to local workforce development council
March 25, 2009 – The Employment Security Department recently awarded a supplemental grant of $500,000 to the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council to provide training and employment services to dislocated workers in Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. Dislocated workers are individuals who are unlikely to return to their previous industry or occupation because of lack of demand or who have limited opportunities for employment or reemployment in their community. Click here to read the press release.
State board invests more than $1.3 million in economic development projects
March 23, 2009 - The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) announced more than $1.3 million in public investments targeting job creation and business growth in Ferry, Grant, Clallam and Whatcom counties. “Since 1982, the Community Economic Revitalization Board has committed more than $141 million to counties across the state, an investment generating over 32,000 jobs,” said Gov. Gregoire. “The jobs and economic growth that result from these projects are crucial, especially now during these tough economic times, and will help build stronger communities for our families.”
Yakima Herald-Republic: “Klickitat County gets its wind back”
March 23, 2009 – Construction on wind farm projects in South Central Washington’s Klickitat County is creating jobs for local workers. Klickitat County is on its way to becoming the Northwest’s wind farm capital with 14 projects in progress, five of which currently produce electricity. When completed, the wind farms will create an estimated 535 permanent green jobs and nearly $15 million in annual property taxes. The farms will have the capacity to generate 2,661 megawatts of electricity and power more than 1 million homes. For more information on a green economy, read the Washington state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) report “Washington State’s Green Economy – A Strategic Framework.” To learn more about the Klickitat County wind farms and their economic impact, read the story in the Yakima Herald-Republic.
University of Washington expects $300 million in stimulus money for research
March 23, 2009 – The University of Washington expects to get $300 million in biomedical research money as part of the federal economic stimulus plan over the next six months. The funding would be a significant boost to UW’s existing budget for research and make the already largest public research university in the country even larger. Researchers receiving funding would be required to show results from their work in two years instead of the usual five-year cycle. To learn more, read the story at Xconomy.
Clean Tech Open calling for Washington entrepreneurs
March 23, 2009 – The Clean Tech Open announced it is expanding its 2009 business competition to include Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Clean tech entrepreneurs are invited to submit their clean tech ideas for the opportunity to win funding and turn them into viable businesses. The top three winners from these states will receive $50,000 and the chance to compete for a national prize of $250,000. The competition is part of the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge to create 100,000 clean tech jobs in the country over the next five years. The deadline to enter is May 30, 2009. Visit the Northwest Chapter of the Clean Tech Open for more information, or click here to read more about the competition.
Kitsap Sun: Navy exploring tidal energy in Washington
March 19, 2009 – The U.S. Navy is exploring tidal energy in Washington as a source of electricity. In an effort to determine how tidal power might be harnessed in the future, the Navy plans to erect tidal turbine off Marrowstone Island for a one-year pilot project. The Navy project, while still in design stages, plans to use power generated by currents to light a parking lot or small building on nearby Indian Island. Read more about the project in the Kitsap Sun.
Seattle approves windmills on buildings
March 17, 2009 – Seattle joins New York City, Denver and San Francisco as the newest city harvesting wind energy to provide power for residential or commercial buildings. The Seattle City Council approved a bill Monday that allows windmills up to 15-feet-tall on the rooftops of condos, apartments and commercial buildings. The recent federal stimulus plan includes a 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of these small wind turbines. To learn more, view the approved Council bill or read the story leading up to the Council’s approval in the Seattle Times.
Bellingham Herald: “Bellingham waterfront innovation zone gearing up for business”
March 17, 2009 – Construction is set to begin on the Port of Bellingham’s Technology Development Center, the region’s new waterfront Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ). The Technology Development Center will be a research and development workspace and training facility and was made possible in part by a $1 million contribution from Washington’s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). The center is one of 11 IPZs created by Gov. Christine Gregoire to partner research, workforce training and a globally competitive company in the development of new technologies. To learn more about the Bellingham IPZ, read the story in the Bellingham Herald or visit CTED’s Web site.
Tourism is economic driver in South King County
March 17, 2009 – A recent economic impact report on tourism found that tourism in Tukwila, Des Moines, SeaTac and Kent is on the rise. In 2008, the four cities served approximately 2.2 million hotel visitors, who spent about $615.1 million and generated $51.6 million in state tax revenue. The region’s tourism industry supports 5,350 tourism-related jobs and $181 million in wages. Seattle Southside’s attractions include the Seattle Museum of Flight, the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, Saltwater State Park, and Kubota Garden. To learn more about the report, read the story in the Seattle PI or visit the Seattle Southside Web site.
Federal Way company expanding ‘green-collar’ jobs with stimulus-funded project
March 17, 2009 – Advanced Energy Management LLC of Federal Way is one Washington organization already feeling the benefits of the federal stimulus project. The company is working on a King County Housing Authority project, and, so far, has tripled its staff to meet the new demands of the project after increased funding from the stimulus package. Workers are weatherizing thousands of low-income homes in King County to become more energy efficient. To learn more about the project, read the story in the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Bellingham Herald: “Free Bellingham workshops to help businesses in tough economy”
March 16, 2009 – A free workshop series in Bellingham is offering businesses advice on gauging the health of their business and tips for doing business in a difficult economy. The first of six monthly sessions will take place Thursday, March 19, from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at Mount Baker Theatre’s Walton Room. Businesses at this meeting will have the opportunity to schedule business-wellness audits. Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council partnered with several other local economic agencies and the City of Bellingham to sponsor the workshops. To reserve a spot, contact Tara Sundin at 360.778.8300 or tsundin@cob.org. To learn more about the workshop series, read the Bellingham Herald story.
WTIA to award leaders in technology and software industry
March 16, 2009 – The Washington Technology Industry Association’s (WTIA) Innovation Achievement Awards will take place March 25 to celebrate Washington as a leader in the technology and software industry. The awards will also recognize the top individual and company accomplishments of the past year. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the awards, and WTIA estimates that the Seattle event will bring together 300 technology and economic development professionals from across the state. WTIA is the largest statewide association of technology companies and executives in the world. Washington’s software and technology industries are key economic drivers for the state. To learn more about the event, visit the WTIA Web site.
Hoquiam wood chip company exploring wood-based biofuel
March 16, 2009 – Hoquiam Harbor-based wood chip manufacturing company Willis Enterprises LLC has proposed building a new wood-based biofuel plant to create liquid fuel. The company is developing technology to convert ligno-cellulosic material into a clean transportation fuel. Willis Enterprises anticipates the new venture will create up to 80 new jobs. Read the story in The Daily World.
Spokane ITA organizing mission to European Wind Energy Show
March 16, 2009 – The Spokane International Trade Alliance (ITA) is organizing a Sustainable Energy Business Development Mission to the European Wind Energy Show in Marseille, France, March 16-19. The mission, made possible by a Fair Trade Grant through the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), is an opportunity for Washington state companies to display their products and services at the show, network and meet potential buyers and learn about their European competitors. More than 6,000 government and wind energy leaders from 80 countries will attend the event. Following the show, the group will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, for one-on-one business development meetings and to Malmo, Sweden, one of the world’s top ten “greenest” cities. Learn more about the event from CTED.
Quality of life is best in the West
March 16, 2009 – According to a survey of Americans’ well-being, people living on the West Coast are happier and healthier than their fellow citizens. The survey, conducted by Gallup in partnership with Healthways and America’s Health Insurance Plans, ranked Washington number seven on the survey’s Well Being Index. A separate survey from Sunset Magazine also revealed that people on the West Coast believe they are more attractive, wealthier, more optimistic, more creative and intelligent, more independent, more environmentally conscious and more technologically savvy than other Americans. Results showed that Westerners are more cultured than the rest of the country, travel more and spend more time with family. Read the New York Times post or the Los Angeles Times post to learn more.
Everett Herald: Shipbuilders complete environmentally friendly ferry
March 16, 2009 – Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and Kvichak Marine Industries have completed their second environmentally friendly ferry. The ferry’s hull is designed to reduce fuel consumption, and the bridge deck has two solar panels for additional power. The boat runs on a blend of biodiesel and ultra-low-sulfur diesel causing significantly reduced and cleaner exhaust. The companies expect to complete two more of the ferries this year. To learn more, read the Everett Herald story.
Trade Week and international trade reps coming to cities across Washington
March 16, 2009 – The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) and its international trade representatives will travel to communities across the state March 16–20 to help local businesses explore global trade opportunities. As part of the state’s annual Trade Week: Bringing the World to You, trade representatives from major trading partner markets including China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mexico and Europe will conduct activities such as seminars and one-on-one meetings in Bellingham, Bellevue, Kent, Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, and Wenatchee. To see the full schedule of Trade Week activities visit the CTED Web site, or to learn more about trade in Washington, click here. Read the press release on Trade Week here.
Gov. Gregoire calls on business, labor leaders to fuel engine of innovation; names director of commerce
March 11, 2009 – Gov. Chris Gregoire named former Microsoft Vice President Rogers Weed as the director of commerce to help lead Washington state through the deepening national recession and into a thriving economy for the 21st century. In her speech during a luncheon with members of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Prosperity Partnership and Washington Roundtable, Gregoire said the key to a bright future is what it has always been — innovation.
Yakima and Kennewick expect country’s largest employment growth
March 11, 2009 – According to a quarterly survey by employment services firm Manpower, Yakima and Kennewick have the strongest employment outlook of all metropolitan areas for April through June. Yakima topped the list with a net employment outlook of 21 percent. The region’s growing agricultural industry, including apples and hops, will boost jobs in the coming months. Kennewick came in a close second with a net employment outlook of 19 percent. The region’s engineering, agriculture and technology industries all expect to create more jobs in the coming months. To read the article in Forbes.com, click here.
Keynote speakers at Washington’s Innovation Summit announced
March 11, 2009 – Washington's Innovation Summit will feature four keynote speakers at the April 9 event in Bellevue:
• Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator for the State of Washington
• Brenda Metropolit, Director of Sustainability Initiatives, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games
• Gifford Pinchot, a pioneer in integrating organizational innovation and social responsibility with profit objectives
• Thomas Plimpton, Vice Chairman of PACCAR, Inc.
Washington’s Innovation Summit, hosted by Washington Technology Center, 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. The summit will examine strategies the state’s technology industry and economic development leaders can use to position Washington at the forefront of technology innovation. Visit the Summit Web site to register for the event or the Summit blog for more information.
Wind farm would have positive economic impact on Kittitas County
March 9, 2009 – Kittitas County is being recruited for another wind farm, the region’s fourth. A recent economic impact report for the proposed Desert Claim Wind Power project revealed that the project will create 160 jobs during construction and 25 permanent jobs once construction is complete. The project will generate 190 megawatts, enough to provide electricity to 57,000 homes. To learn more about the project and its economic impact, read the story in the Yakima Herald-Republic.
Business Week: Mill Creek is a top suburb
March 9, 2009 - Mill Creek, Wash., is the second most affordable suburb in the country according to a report from Business Week. The community of 13,600 was chosen based on its good schools, low crime, reasonable commute, strong economy and good quality of life. Mill Creek is home to numerous trails, parks, and an 18-hole golf course and is only a 29 minute commute from Seattle. See the Business Week story on affordable suburbs or profile of Mill Creek.
Yakima Herald-Republic: Tourism brings economic benefits to state
March 9, 2009 – Washington’s tourism industry might lack the tangibility of other state industries, but its economic benefits are hard to miss. In 2008, visitors to the state spent $15.7 billion and the industry created 149,000 jobs. Tourism officials expect the industry to grow over the next few years and predict it will play an even bigger role in regions like Yakima Valley. Read the full story in the Yakima Herald-Republic. Read the “Tourism Matters to Washington” brochure here.
PSBJ: Kenworth gets largest hybrid truck order in history
March 9, 2009 – Kenworth Truck Co. received its largest hybrid truck order in history from Coca-Cola Enterprises. Coca-Cola Enterprises ordered 185 diesel-electric and hybrid trucks from the Kirkland company. Read the story in the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Fairhaven Shipyards expanding, creating jobs in Port of Bellingham
Fairhaven Shipyards is expanding its operations in the Port of Bellingham. The shipyard will open a second-dry dock operation in a space adjacent to their current facilities. The development will create 90 new jobs and allow the company to serve a greater diversity of ships. To learn more about the project, read the press release.
Seattle PI: “Longview sticks to what it knows”
Longview continues its legacy as a lumber-mill region, but the area is also attracting new manufacturers spurring economic development. The city’s size and location have proven ideal for prospective companies. Recently, Cameron Family Glass Packing opened a 100-employee plant in Cowlitz County, and The Port of Longview handled the unloading of wind towers and turbines for Siemens Power Generation. The increasingly diversified industrial base has contributed positively to the region’s economy and, in 2008, the Port of Longview posted a record setting year as operating revenue topping $23.4 million. Read more about Longview’s manufacturing industry in the Seattle PI.
Bellingham Waterfront Innovation Zone set to be first construction project in The Waterfront District
The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a construction bid to transform a section of the former Georgia Pacific Tissue Warehouse into a specialized research, development and training area. The Waterfront Innovation Zone: Technology Development Center will be the first construction project in The Waterfront District. Click here to read the press release.
The Waterfront Innovation Zone is one of 11 Innovation Partnership Zones created by Gov. Christine Gregoire to foster partnerships between higher education and industry in the development of emerging technologies. The Port of Bellingham was one of five zones that also received $1 million for construction of the facility from CTED.
Industry Spotlight: Trade in Washington state
March 5, 2009 – International trade is an economic driver in Washington and, as reported last month, the state’s exports hit record highs in 2008. For information on Washington’s trade industry, check out this industry spotlight on trade.
Helping highlight the importance of trade to the state, Trade Week 2009: Bringing the World to You will kick off Monday, March 16. Organized by CTED, the event brings international trade representatives to communities across the state to help local businesses explore global trade opportunities. Trade Week 2009 events will take place March 16-20. Read more about Trade Week.
Washington wineries number more than 600
March 4, 2009 – In 10 years, Washington’s wine industry has grown from a niche with 160 wineries to a thriving, prospering industry. As of last month, Washington has licensed 602 wineries — a nearly 300 percent increase since 1999 — and the industry is expected to continue to grow. “This is great news for the state of Washington,” said Gov. Gregoire. “…our efforts to diversify our state's economy are paying off.” Read the story in the Yakima Herald.
Washington lumber exports up in 2008
March 4, 2009 – A total of 293 million board feet of softwood lumber was exported from Washington and Oregon in 2008, worth a total of $215.7 million — a 26.6 percent increase from 2007. Nearly two-thirds of all the states’ softwood lumber exports went to Japan and Canada. In 2008, Washington’s exports totaled more than $66.8 billion, and the state maintained its rank as the nation’s fourth largest exporter. Read the press release or the full report compiled by the Pacific Northwest Research Station, part of the USDA Forest Service.
Port of Longview posts record year in 2008
Port of Longview set a record for revenues at $23.5 million in 2008. Port officials attribute much of the increase to additional wind-energy cargo handling. Operating revenue rose 26 percent from a year earlier, and net operating revenue rose to $2.8 million. The port handled 1.3 million metric tons of cargo last year, up from 1.1 million metric tons a year earlier. Read the Port of Longview’s press release or the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal for more information.
Green Jobs and Climate Action legislation will create jobs, expand green economy
Gov. Chris Gregoire and legislative leaders announced a comprehensive Green Jobs and Climate Action legislative package. The proposed legislation will create and support jobs, expand the state’s green economy, make progress toward energy independence, and help protect the environment. Learn more about the Green Jobs and Climate Action legislation at Gov. Gregoire’s Web site.
Washington Technology Center Announces Board Appointments
Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed Brent Reys of Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Group, Linden Rhoads of UW TechTransfer, and Stephen Zirschky of WatchGuard Technologies to the WTC Board of Directors.