Washington activities reach all 39 counties – more than any other U.S. state during worldwide celebration of startups and entrepreneurship Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed Nov. 17-23, 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Washington. This third annual celebration of entrepreneurship and startups will feature more than 100 local education and networking events in all 39 counties – surpassing the reach of any other state program. More events take place year-round in Washington. Thousands of…
Author Archives: Penny Thomas
Funds will support redevelopment of former Sand Point Naval Station barracks OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced a $9.7 million award to Mercy Housing Northwest to convert a historic Seattle property into 128 units of affordable housing. Building 9, a remnant of the Sand Point Naval Station once located at Warren G. Magnuson Park, will be redeveloped into 128 units designed primarily for families, but will also…
Clean energy expert joins Department of Commerce to serve as Gov. Jay Inslee’s liaison to state clean technology industry leaders Gov. Jay Inslee today welcomed Brian Young as the state’s new Sector Lead on clean energy technology. Washington State Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender today announced that Young will coordinate statewide economic development efforts for the state’s clean technology sector. Young brings a rich variety of industry experience to his new…
Initiative to be a model for streamlining regulations, boosting restaurant industry across the state SEATTLE, WA – Governor Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and Mayor Ed Murray joined the Washington Restaurant Association and restaurant entrepreneurs today in Capitol Hill to announce the launch of Restaurant Success, a new initiative to provide better service and support for prospective restaurateurs. Washington restaurants employ more than 222,900 people statewide with more…
Spokane City Council member to serve on state board promoting jobs, economic development OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender today announced the appointment of Spokane City Councilmember Candace Mumm to the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). Mumm is CEO of Smartland LLC, a North Spokane company that builds and rehabilitates homes to make them senior-friendly. She received an MBA from Gonzaga University in 2010, and a BA in Broadcast…
Low-income homeowners can save on energy costs and stay warm this winter with weatherization assistance OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Inslee joins community action agencies, housing authorities, and local governments across the state and nation by recognizing October 30, 2014, as Weatherization Day in Washington. As chilly weather sets in, residents across the state are turning up their thermostats to combat dropping temperatures. For low-income families, however, cranking up the heat is not…
The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced an effort to solicit public comment on housing needs across the state. Any Washington resident is encouraged to participate in an 11 question online survey. The survey results will guide plans for using federal funds aimed at addressing housing needs throughout Washington State. Each year, the state receives approximately $8 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to…
The Washington State Public Works Board announced their new FirstStop initiative, a collection of tools and services that helps communities identify available resources to move local public infrastructure projects forward. An online Resource Catalogue provides a first-stop referral system to financial, technical, and training resources provided by expert agencies, nonprofit organizations, associations and others. “Finding financing for infrastructure today is a challenging experience. With fewer resources available, small and medium sized communities are most directly affected.…
Innovative public-private partnership produces funding The Washington Small Business Credit Initiative has attracted $31.5 million in new private investment to support loans to small businesses around the state, the Department of Commerce announced today. Commerce contracts with Craft3, a Community Development Financial institution, to manage a loan fund which helps small businesses, particularly those in economically disadvantaged communities, get the credit they need to grow. “Small businesses account for about…
State funds support over $19 million in local match and private investment to target job creation in Clallam, Grant, Jefferson, Spokane, and Whatcom counties The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $1.4 million in public investments, including a $500,000 low-interest loan to support the new AeroTEChangar at Port of Moses Lake where MRJ will conduct flight testing and certification beginning next year. Mitsubishi Regional Jet announced their choice of…