Washington’s success doesn’t stop with having the highest GDP growth and strongest job growth in the nation last year, our state tops the list as overall “Best State” in the latest U.S. News and World Report  rankings. Strong technology and clean energy sectors are driving growth and innovation. “The big challenge in front of us is to continue working to spread the opportunities evenly across the state.”  —- Washington State Department of Commerce Director Dr. Lisa …

While it’s gratifying to reflect on the strides we make each year, all of our accomplishments and our future successes rely on leaders setting a positive, productive and collaborative tone for the entire state. Unlike the negativity and gridlock plaguing the Other Washington, I am heartened by the way in which individuals and organizations here are able to set aside petty differences for the greater good. It’s inspiring to be…

A couple of years into my service in this position, we formed the Minority Business Roundtable, made up of business leaders representing different ethnic and minority communities in Washington. This group has been helpful in creating ideas that help us promote inclusivity, beginning with good data. For example, our ADO’s responsible for local economic development are now required to track the number of minority and women-owned businesses they assist. Similarly,…

Old ideas don’t help us solve new problems. We reorganized the State Energy Office to adapt to the changing landscape of the clean energy economy. Our Energy Office is constantly analyzing data, technology, and research projects to help us make informed decisions. More than just thought leaders, we’re leading work happening now, all over the state and the Pacific Coast region, to build the low-carbon future. Since January 2013, we…

As a trusted partner with stakeholders and other state agencies, Commerce has taken on and launched new capital programs including Early Learning Facilities, Behavioral Health Facilities and Rural Broadband.  We’ve managed the Public Works Trust Fund through rocky times, coming through with successful legislation that provides a broader perspective on funding opportunities and coordination with sister infrastructure agencies.  Since January 2013, we have invested over $1.5 billion for capital projects…

Commerce formed and stood up the Statewide Re-Entry Council to help men and women successfully reenter our communities and workforce following incarceration.  The council has already notched legislative successes by assisting in passage of fair chance housing and income discrimination laws. In response to federal funding, we dramatically expanded the state’s crime victims advocacy work.  The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy took advantage of a 400 percent increase in federal…

I believe that Gov. Inslee’s declaration – just weeks into taking office – that the state budget would no longer be balanced on the back of social services, is the single the most important step in helping Washingtonians who are experiencing homelessness. As homelessness and housing affordability overtook job creation as the most pressing needs facing our communities, Commerce worked hard to address these challenges. We moved new and existing…

When Gov. Inslee took office, we were still wondering whether we had hit the bottom to the Great Recession, so job creation was job one.  From January 2013 until today: Washington ranked #1 for personal income growth #1 Fastest growing economy (GDP) Over 500,000 net new jobs created in the state Our work began with rebuilding the state economic development system by reestablishing trust with counties, cities and our associate…