The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) numbers out this month place Washington state’s economy as the fastest growing in the nation in 2016. With a 3.7% GDP growth rate, our diverse economy continues to thrive at more twice the national rate.
Commerce’s Housing Finance Unit recently used creative thinking to strengthen Seattle’s low-income community by identifying households eligible for the city’s utility discount program.
Spokane-based private utility Avista, and the Snohomish public utility SnoPUD, each were awarded $3.5 million from the Washington Clean Energy Fund.
Partners such as Hopelink Redmond allow us to deliver funding effectively. Through these relationships we are able to better serve communities.
Finding highly trained, ready skilled workers is a challenge for every industry, from information technology to aerospace. The marine trades are no different, and that sector is an important driver of economic vitality in many rural Washington communities, such as San Juan and Clallam counties. Commerce recently provided several grants from the strategic economic development account – a fund drawing from unclaimed Lottery dollars – to support customized training programs…
Our role at Commerce is to strengthen communities – helping Washington become an even better place to live, work and play.
As the budgets roll out, Commerce is actively working with legislators to ensure they leave this session having invested in the necessary resources to address our affordable housing and homelessness crisis across the state.
In the summer of 2014, the largest wildfire in our state’s history devastated communities in Okanogan County. The city of Pateros was hit hard. Not only were hundreds of homes lost, but fire engulfed and severely damaged the city’s water tanks. Commerce has partnered with Pateros to address its severe water system needs and improve this rural city’s capacity to recover. Funding from Commerce includes a $2.7 million Community Development…
Ensuring that every person has a career path forward is a critical step toward building more resilient communities.
The Department of Commerce recently awarded $8,450,105 to 16 tribes in Washington to serve victims of crime.