Commerce awards $35.4 million for solar power with battery back-up systems to bolster community resilience

Commerce awards $35.4 million for solar power with battery back-up systems to bolster community resilience

Grants will support 52 planning and 39 installation solar projects that will provide back-up power for community buildings to serve emergency and other critical needs statewide. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $35.4 million in grants to local, state, and tribal governments and non-profits to plan and install solar and battery back-up power at community buildings. The projects will provide clean back-up power for critical…

Rural communities to benefit from nearly $5 million in new state Clean Energy Fund investments

Rural communities to benefit from nearly $5 million in new state Clean Energy Fund investments

Commerce awards $4.76 million to dairy digester bioenergy and other innovative clean energy projects in seven rural communities OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced seven grants totaling $4.76 million from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to enhance dairy digesters and advance clean energy in rural communities. These investments will result in improved air and water quality or soil health, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and…

Commerce applauds creation of White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Commerce applauds creation of White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Washington Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention applauds creation of White House Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. OLYMPIA, WA — Washington’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention (OFSVP) released statements today following yesterday’s announcement of the first-ever White House Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, led by Vice president Kamala Harris. “We look forward to working with this new federal office to tackle this persistent health and safety threat…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $6.75 million in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $6.75 million in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties

State funds will leverage more than $1 billion in private and local resources expected to create and retain 210 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $6.6 million in low-interest loans and $150,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat and Whitman counties. Among the projects awarded funding…

Commerce awards $5.6 million for vital community facility and infrastructure projects in five rural counties

Commerce awards $5.6 million for vital community facility and infrastructure projects in five rural counties

Port Townsend early learning and family support center among high-priority local projects awarded Community Development Block Grants. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that five cities and counties will receive a total of $5.6 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The CDBG program funds a wide range of local projects, including public water, sewer, emergency and fire protection systems, streets, housing, food pantries and more.…

Washington State Public Works Board approves over $220 million in construction loans

Washington State Public Works Board approves over $220 million in construction loans

Broadway Bridge replacement in Conconully and Tacoma’s Links to Opportunity streetscape among the community infrastructure projects awarded funding statewide OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board approved over $220 million in funding for local community infrastructure projects at its Friday, Sept. 8 meeting. Awards from the Board’s traditional construction program will support vital public infrastructure across six different systems: streets and roads, bridges, domestic water, stormwater, sanitary sewers, and solid…

State grants fund digital navigation services to help new internet users get online

State grants fund digital navigation services to help new internet users get online

Washington State Broadband Office awards $14.5 million to provide one-on-one technical support, devices, and subscriptions to facilitate internet use and adoption OLYMPIA, WA — Most of us take the internet for granted, yet nearly 240,000 Washington households do not have access to high-speed internet, and 4% do not have access to a computing device. This week the Washington State Department of Commerce announced $14.5 million in grants to continue expanding…

US Dept. of Energy awards Washington $23.4 million to strengthen and modernize critical electric infrastructure

US Dept. of Energy awards Washington $23.4 million to strengthen and modernize critical electric infrastructure

OLYMPIA, WA  – On Sept. 5, 2023, Washington state received a $23.4 million Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to modernize the electric grid and reduce impacts due to extreme weather and natural disasters. Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants aim to ensure the reliability of power sector infrastructure so that communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity. “Electricity is…

Commerce awards $15.4 million in grants to expand legal aid to low-income immigrants

Commerce awards $15.4 million in grants to expand legal aid to low-income immigrants

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project among organizations receiving funding to provide legal aid in communities across Washington state  OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded $15.4 million in grants to eight organizations across the state, expanding access to legal aid services for low-income immigrants. The 2023-25 appropriation from the Washington Legislature enables nearly a doubling of previous annual funding levels. “Everyone deserves to be safe, remain together…

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

New Commerce program aims to incentivize equitable access to credit for small businesses

Contributions in exchange for tax credits will fund grants to eligible lending institutions to provide services and investment capital for small businesses lacking access to traditional bank loans.  OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched a new program to address inequities in accessing capital for small businesses. The Equitable Access to Credit Program, created by the state legislature (HB 1015), creates a new funding mechanism to…