“We have to stop telling our kids that a four-year degree is the only way to start their paths to success.” — Gov. Jay Inslee Swiss businesses are creators, not just consumers of talent. That is why Director Bonlender and a high-level delegation of leaders accompanied Gov. Inslee on an immersive four-day study mission to learn about how Switzerland created a successful system in which about 70 percent of the country’s young people choose apprenticeships instead of traditional…
Author Archives: Lisa Brown
Helping to generate economic growth and good jobs in Washington’s rural and underserved communities remains the top priority for Commerce in 2018. Our efforts to focus business development in communities outside the largest metro areas in our state are paying off to the tune of more than 500 jobs and $1.6 billion in capital investment from business recruitments and expansions supported last year, including the Katerra wood products plant in Spokane…
On Dec. 12, Governor Jay Inslee’s Maritime Innovation Advisory Council launched a year-long effort to develop a comprehensive strategy for leading the nation in sustainable, or “blue,” ocean industry technology and practices. Inslee charged the new council with creating and expanding America’s most sustainable ocean industry and technology cluster here by the year 2050. Read more
Christopher Poulos, the new executive director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, recently testified in favor of a Fair Chance Employment ordinance in Spokane. The ordinance passed by the Spokane City Council delays employer inquiry into an applicant’s criminal record until after an interview takes place, with some public safety exceptions. “This measure gives people who have paid their debt to society a better chance at obtaining gainful employment and successfully reintegrating…
Poverty affects all of us. However, the more we understand the dynamics of poverty, the greater the opportunity for us to create stronger communities where everyone can live well. Bridges Out of Poverty trainings and Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World workgroups are designed to do just that. Serving as a catalyst, the Department of Commerce started working with WorkFirst Local Planning Area Partnerships (LPAs) and others to deliver both…
Washington’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program recently provided a $900,000 economic opportunity grant that will deliver flexible and affordable financial assistance to an estimated 30 eligible microenterprise farmers in Skagit County. The funding will help with purchasing on-farm infrastructure and equipment. This project not only promotes economic vitality in this rural community, but also provides fresh food to area food banks. Read more
An $858,409 loan and $113,776 grant from Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to the city of Wenatchee for the McKittrick Street extension project will support a $2.4 million private partner investment and create an estimated 90 jobs. The CERB funds are matched by $243,296 in local resources. State funding enables the purchase of a right-of-way and partial demolition of a damaged warehouse to make way for Diamond Foundry, LLC to invest $2.4…
Latest U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data for the third quarter of 2017 shows our state’s personal income growth led the nation, increasing by 1 percent. The country as a whole performed at 0.7 percent. Leading the way for Washington was our information and communication technology sector, accounting for one-third of the income growth due to vesting of employee stocks. Even as robust performance continues to buoy our state’s overall economy, we remain…
Our business development team scored a big win in partnering with the Port of Seattle to co-host the Site Selectors Guild Annual Fall Forum. This group is the primary national association of corporate location consultants, and it was the first time one of their annual professional summits had taken place on the west coast. Other sponsors were Economic Development Council of Seattle-King County, Tri-Cities Development Council (TRIDEC), Economic Development Board…
You may not know that Commerce manages the state’s Lead-Based Paint Program, ensuring that work performed on homes containing lead-based paint is completed safely. According to the Center for Disease Control, lead-based paint is the leading environmental hazard to children under the age of six — far more common than lead water pipes. Lead paint was commonly used in homes built before 1978. KOMO-TV in Seattle ran a great story…