Washington Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Director and Commission member King briefs state Congressional delegation on comprehensive report stressing urgency, collaboration, investing in resilience and more OLYMPIA, WA — The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recently released its report PDF outlining a comprehensive, consensus-based set of recommendations to Congress to address the nation’s wildfire crisis. “The recent disaster on Maui is a tragic reminder of the growing risks of wildfires to communities and…
Author Archives: Penny Thomas
Department of Commerce hosts leading professionals for virtual sessions to help spur new small business starts and inspire entrepreneurship statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce will wrap up its annual Global Entrepreneurship Month activities on Nov. 30 with an online Entrepreneur Expo. The free virtual Zoom session will cover a wide range of topics for current and prospective startups and small business owners, including artificial intelligence,…
Grants will support adoption of local actions that aim to accommodate projected housing needs at all income levels through different types of units, providing more affordable housing options OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Commerce today announced nearly $3 million for 54 cities across 16 Washington counties to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes to allow more middle housing in residential neighborhoods. Increasing the availability…
NOTE: These projects are subject to approval by CERB at the regularly scheduled business meeting on Thursday, Nov. 16. State funds leverage over $2.1 million in private and local resources expected to create and retain 81 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $3.2 million in low interest loans and $100,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to…
Grants will fund acquisition and renovation of crisis stabilization facilities in Lewis and Pierce counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $4.3 million in grants to two crisis triage and stabilization projects – one in Lewis County and one in Pierce County. Providers at these facilities assist people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, or who are in need of withdrawal management services, and…
Grants and low-interest loans available for broadband construction projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board today opened applications for broadband funding, offering $15.8 million in grants and low-interest loans for broadband construction projects. Projects in distressed counties are eligible for 30% grant and 70% loan funding, until funds are exhausted. Local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities, limited liability corporations (LLC), and incorporated businesses or…
Annual awards recognize excellence, creativity, collaboration in land use planning and development OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 11 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Presented annually since 2006, the Smart Communities Awards program recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development. The awards showcase effective implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The honored…
Comprehensive Community Reinvestment Plan details 17 grant programs addressing economic development, legal assistance, violence reduction and reentry services OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today released a Community Reinvestment Plan (Box PDF) identifying a comprehensive set of actions to distribute $200 million to address racial, economic, and social disparities in Washington communities and to individuals disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of state and federal…
Funds will repair emergency water projects in Chelan and Douglas counties, and connect nearly 600 unserved locations to high-speed internet OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) recently approved $4.3 million in critical infrastructure projects in three communities. They include $575,000 in emergency construction projects and $3.7 million in broadband funding. At its Oct. 19 special meeting called to address an emergency funding request, the PWB approved $400,000 for…
Funding will lower energy use, reduce emissions, promote energy efficiency in communities OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, a funding opportunity from the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The state plans to use this funding to lower energy use, reduce emissions, and promote…