Tri-City Herald: “PNNL named Energy Research Frontier Center”
April 30, 2009 – Washington state’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been named one of 46 Energy Research Frontier Centers to pursue advanced scientific research. The Energy Research Frontier Centers are part of an initiative announced by President Obama this week. As a Research Center, PNNL will be awarded $22.5 million over the next five years from the Department of Energy for its new Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis. The research will benefit technologies like solar energy and fuel cells. To learn more about PNNL, visit its Web site or read the story in the Tri-City Herald.

Seattle Times: “Expanding India economy looks toward trade opportunities with U.S., Washington”
April 23, 2009 – In a move to further develop India’s relations with the Washington and the U.S., the country will open a new consulate in Seattle in the coming year. The move comes at a time when India’s economy is booming and the country expects its gross domestic product to grow 6 to 7 percent this year. In 2008, India was Washington’s 7th largest trading partner. The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development offers free counseling services to help Washington businesses across the state enter the global marketplace. To learn more about CTED’s services, visit www.choosewashington.com, or for more information, read the story in the Seattle Times.

Community Survivors Workshop helps communities navigate challenging economic times
April 23, 2009 – The Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development’s (CTED) fifth annual Community Survivors Workshop will take place May 18-19 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Wash. This year’s workshop will provide community and economic development leaders and volunteers with innovative tools and techniques to survive in today’s challenging economy. It will also focus on how to identify opportunities to grow and expand in the future. Sessions will include information on funding opportunities through grants and loans, how to accomplish more with fewer resources, planning techniques, and creating workforce connections. Learn more by reading the press release.

“We Work for Health” economic development and jobs campaign launched in Washington state
April 23, 2009 – Business, academic, government and community leaders in Washington state today launched “We Work for Health,” a statewide effort to “enhance the public’s understanding of the economic impact of Washington’s life sciences industry and to promote the growth and success of the sector.” Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) was named one of five “We Work for Health” co-chairs. Read the press release on PR Newswire.

Seattle building named a Top Green Project in the world
April 22, 2009 – The Terry Thomas building in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood was designated one of the Top Ten Green Projects in the world by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The building was completed in April 2008 and designed to be an environmentally responsible and sustainable workplace with reduced energy dependence. The six-story Terry Thomas building contains commercial office and retail spaces and is U.S. Green Building Council LEED-CI, v.2 Platinum Level and LEED-CS 2.0 Gold Level certified.  Seattle’s innovative spirit puts it at the front of the green movement; as of March 2009, the city is home to 58 LEED Certified projects and 13 city-owned LEED Certified projects nationally – 3rd highest in the nation. For more information on the Top Ten Green Projects and Terry Thomas building, visit the AIA Web site here, or for more info on Seattle’s Green Building, visit the Seattle Department of Planning and Development site here.

Gov. Gregoire helps break ground on Amazon.com headquarters
April 22, 2009 – A ground breaking ceremony was held at the South Lake Union site of the future corporate headquarters of Amazon.com. When complete, the company’s headquarters will include 11 LEED certified buildings built by more than 4,000 workers. The company expects to begin relocating into the new office buildings in mid-2010 with full occupancy by 2012.

“I want to congratulate Amazon and Vulcan Real Estate not only for this ground breaking, but for what it and South Lake Union as a whole represent to the future of Washington families and businesses,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “I am committed to building a stronger economic future for Washington state, and investments like these create new construction jobs, bolster our region’s diverse workforce and help us compete in today’s global economy.” To learn more, read the release from the governor.

Eight Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Washington
April 22, 2009 – Eight Washington companies ranked among Fortune magazine’s top 500 companies in the U.S. The annual Fortune 500 list ranked public companies by their revenues from the previous year. This year, Costco Wholesale Corp. ranked 24th — up five spots from last year — and Microsoft Corp. moved up nine spots to number 35. Other Washington companies named to the list include Amazon.com Inc., Paccar Inc., Weyerhaeuser Co., Starbucks Corp., Nordstrom Inc., and Expeditors International of Washington Inc. Visit Fortune to see the full list of companies or read the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Stimulus funding to boost research and development in Washington
April 22, 2009 – Washington researchers are working to get their share of the $21.5 billion in federal stimulus funding set aside for research and development. A portion of the funding will go toward big ticket items, including scientific equipment, lab renovations and construction, at organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington State University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Most of the funding will go toward individual projects focusing on biomedical research, energy research and development, climate change, and boosting the country’s economic competitiveness. Funding allocations will be announced in the coming months and are to be used within two years to research and develop new technologies and industries and create jobs. For more information on Washington’s share of the stimulus money, read the article in the Seattle Times.

Xconomy: “Gregoire’s Innovation Man, Rogers Weed, Gets Marching Orders for New State Strategy”
April 22, 2009 – Gov. Chris Gregoire has turned to Rogers Weed, the new director of the Washington state Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED), to spark innovation in the state. As part of Senate Bill 6015, Director Weed and CTED are being called on to prepare a plan “on how the state can best encourage and support the growth of innovation in the development and commercialization of proprietary technology in the life sciences and information technology industries.” CTED would report to the governor and Legislature on ways the state could provide more financial support to early startups, regulations that might hinder growth, tech transfer policies at research institutions, and infrastructure that could support companies.  To learn more, read the story from Xconomy.

The Olympian: “State well-positioned for green economy”
April 22, 2009 – Washington is well-positioned to build a green economy, and with the support of U.S. Senator Cantwell, the state is ready to carve out its share of the $6 trillion energy market. The state’s skilled local workforce puts it at an advantage for developing alternative sources of energy and improving smart grid technology. These advances in clean technology will bring economic benefits to the state and spur future generations of ingenuity in the green economy. To learn more about smart grid in Washington, visit the PNNL Web site or to learn about Washington’s green economy and jobs, read the story in The Olympian.

Fast Company: “Fast Cities 2009: Seattle Is the City of the Year”
April 20, 2009 – Fast Company magazine named Seattle its 2009 City of the Year. The Emerald City's history of innovation, creativity, forward-thinking business climate, social consciousness and leading influentials helped it earn the top spot. Known to be a city of big ideas, Seattle has shaped the world's technology landscape, led the nation's march toward biotechnical and biomedical solutions, and now, as home to many clean tech companies and City Light, the first carbon-neutral utility in the nation, it stands to be an eco-leader and innovator in clean tech and sustainability. Fast Company recognizes Seattle's multifaceted economy and suggests that it “is the kind of city that will thrive and lead us into recovery” and out of the current economic downturn. To learn more, read the Fast Company Cities 2009 report.

Everett Herald: “Snohomish County's next phase in biodiesel plan is new seed crusher”
April 16, 2009 – Snohomish County's plan to use canola seed for biodiesel production will move forward this week with the arrival of a 24-ton crusher machine. A $500,000 grant from the Washington state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development (CTED) was used to buy the machine that crushes canola seeds and turns them into oil. The oil can be used to create biodiesel, a cleaner-burning version of petroleum-based diesel. Snohomish County expects to begin using the machine next fall during the canola seed harvest. To learn more, read the story in the Everett Herald. 

Xconomy.com: “From Microsoft to Olympia: Q&A With Rogers Weed, New Washington Commerce Chief”
April 15, 2009 - Rogers Weed, new director at the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), was interviewed by national business news Web site Xconomy.com. Weed discusses his personal background, his views on Washington's innovation economy and his vision for CTED and the state. Read the article on Xconomy.com.

Washington’s Innovation Summit highlights innovation technology
April 14, 2009 – The fifth annual Washington’s Innovation Summit brought together nearly 400 innovators from across the state to identify challenges and trends in sustainable energy, innovative materials, manufacturing, urban sustainability and healthy ecosystems. The event featured several leading companies and speakers, including U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Congressman Adam Smith, and Bainbridge Graduate Institute co-founder Gifford Pinchot. Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), participated as a panelist and discussed embracing opportunities as a way to spur innovation. Washington Technology Center, an organization committed to tech-related job growth and commercializing new ideas, hosted the event in Bellevue April 9. To learn more, read the stories from SeattlePI.com and Xconomy or visit Washington Technology Center’s Web site.


Gov. Gregoire announces aerospace legislation, CTED Director Weed to chair proposed council
April 9, 2009 -Gov. Chris Gregoire today proposed legislation to develop a Washington Council on Aerospace to maintain the state’s competitive edge in the aerospace industry. Gregoire’s proposed legislation comes after release of the Aerospace Industry Competitiveness Study by Deloitte Consulting. Read the report. The governor asked for the report to give her a clearer picture of what needs to be done to keep Washington’s edge as the state where the best airplanes in the world are built.. In the press conference broadcast live on TVW, CTED Director Rogers Weed was named by Gov. Gregoire to chair the proposed council.

Gov. Gregoire urges action to spur growth in Washington's innovation economy
April 7, 2009 – Gov. Gregoire is urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will support the growth of Washington’s innovative companies and entrepreneurs. In an op-ed in today’s Seattle Times, the governor says that Washington’s innovators have the potential to power Washington’s economy through the current economic downturn and make the state a leader in clean technologies. The new policies will increase Washington’s energy independence, protect and create jobs, and position the state to influence the national discussion on climate change. Read Gov. Gregoire’s op-ed in the Seattle Times here.


CTED releases online guide for small businesses in Washington state
April 6, 2009 – CTED released the 2009 Guide for Small Business in Washington State. The comprehensive guide provides entrepreneurs and small business owners clickable access to a variety of resources needed to start and successfully manage a business. For more information, read the press release or blog on the governor’s Web site, or check out the guide at www.choosewashington.com/pdf/2009guideforsmallbusiness.pdf.

BusinessWeek names Bellevue as the best small Washington city for startups
April 6, 2009 – BusinessWeek announced Bellevue as the best city for starting up a business in Washington. The list was determined using research by GIS Planning, a San Francisco-based geographic data firm that helps companies select optimal sites via its online tool ZoomProspector. The analysis weighed 11 factors to gauge an area's entrepreneurial climate, including the number of small businesses and startups, the quality of the workforce, how many universities were in town, and measures of innovation such as the number of patents issued and the amount of venture capital invested. View the information on Bellevue or read the full BusinessWeek article. Also, visit Washington’s interactive property database at washingtonprospector.com, which is a GIS Planning program.