Commerce receives $1 million SBA grant to boost small business exports

Commerce receives $1 million SBA grant to boost small business exports

More than $600 million in sales attributed to Washington’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce again tops the list of states awarded funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help state small businesses grow through exporting. Washington’s $1 million State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant is the largest awarded from a total $20 million to 49 states in…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $6.75 million in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $6.75 million in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties

State funds will leverage more than $1 billion in private and local resources expected to create and retain 210 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $6.6 million in low-interest loans and $150,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties. Among the projects awarded funding…

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

Contributions in exchange for tax credits will fund grants to eligible lending institutions to provide services and investment capital for small businesses lacking access to traditional bank loans.  OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched a new program to address inequities in accessing capital for small businesses. The Equitable Access to Credit Program, created by the state legislature (HB 1015), creates a new funding mechanism to…

Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Nearly 1,500 businesses across the state still struggling with pandemic recovery receive grants to cover losses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Authorized by the Washington Legislature in 2022 (ESSB 5693), funding provided through the Washington Hospitality Grant program is assisting businesses across the state with much needed relief right in time…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

State funds leverage nearly $11 million in private and public resources expected to create and retain 100 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $3.375 million in low-interest loans and $1.175 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Thurston, Skagit, and Whitman counties. Thurston County – $1.125 million loan and…

Commerce partners with four rural communities to pilot unique twist on industry-led economic development strategy

Commerce partners with four rural communities to pilot unique twist on industry-led economic development strategy

First cohort in new program will test potential for developing innovation clusters to drive growth and jobs in rural Washington  Olympia, WA – Can small rural communities successfully mobilize public-private coalitions in target industries to create innovation clusters that will drive economic growth and jobs for the future? The Washington State Department of Commerce aims to find out with a new version of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP) called…

Gov. Jay Inslee to lead 100-member delegation representing $70-billion aerospace and aviation sector in Washington state – “Where the Next Big Thing Begins”

Gov. Jay Inslee to lead 100-member delegation representing $70-billion aerospace and aviation sector in Washington state – “Where the Next Big Thing Begins”

Sustainable aviation, space flight and air mobility among innovations showcased by Washington state companies at Paris Air Show OLYMPIA, Wash. – Sustainable fuels. Industry 4.0. Automation. Uncrewed systems. Super/Hypersonic capacity. Advanced air mobility. Commercial space. More than buzzwords, these are some of the strengths found in Washington state that will be the focus of a 100-member delegation at the Paris Air Show this month. Led by Washington Governor Jay Inslee…

Community Economic revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in three counties

Community Economic revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in three counties

State funds leverage over $127 million in private and local resources expected to create and retain 185 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $8.75 million in low-interest loans and $1.35 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Adams, Snohomish and Spokane counties. Adams County – $3.75 million loan and…

Commerce awards $2 million to encourage innovative business and manufacturing growth statewide

Commerce awards $2 million to encourage innovative business and manufacturing growth statewide

Evergreen Manufacturing Grants designed to create new jobs in manufacturing, research and development OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce today announced $2 million in grants to accelerate manufacturing job growth and economic opportunity across the state with a particular focus on rural communities. Six businesses and four innovation cluster organizations were awarded $200,000 each through the Evergreen Manufacturing Grant program. These grants support the Building Economic Strength Through…

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association  Submits Application for US Dept. of Energy Regional Hubs Funding

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association Submits Application for US Dept. of Energy Regional Hubs Funding

PNWH2 Hub concept envisions dynamic Pacific Northwest network of clean, renewable hydrogen suppliers and end-users to decarbonize some of the hardest-to-abate sectors OLYMPIA, WA – The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) submitted its full Funding Opportunity Application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today in a bid to become one of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Up to approximately $1 billion in…