Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Sen. Andy Billig lead delegation showcasing Washington’s growing aerospace, aviation and space sector at Farnborough International Airshow

Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Sen. Andy Billig lead delegation showcasing Washington’s growing aerospace, aviation and space sector at Farnborough International Airshow

68 business representatives, economic development and trade professionals join record delegation OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state’s largest delegation ever, led by Lt. Governor Denny Heck and State Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, is traveling to the United Kingdom this week for the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show.  The group will share the latest aerospace industry innovations coming out of Washington state under the theme “Leading the Way in Building a…

Innovative tools and state funding help communities plan for low-income and emergency housing

Innovative tools and state funding help communities plan for low-income and emergency housing

Seven community partnerships awarded $220,000 in growth management grants to plan for and accommodate projected housing needs OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is publishing new planning tools and awarding a second round of grant funding to support communities across Washington in planning for the future housing needs of low-income and at-risk families and individuals. The department also today announced a new round of grant awards to…

Commerce announces $52 million in Climate Commitment Act funds for tribal climate resilience

Commerce announces $52 million in Climate Commitment Act funds for tribal climate resilience

All-new co-designed grant process reflects tribal expertise and priorities  QUINAULT INDIAN RESERVATION, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $52 million in grant funding to support climate resilience for 28 federally recognized tribes within Washington, as well as four federally recognized tribes with lands within the state. The funding was made possible by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, and the grant was co-designed with Tribes to ensure funds could…

NW Innovation Resource Center, Mt. Vernon Library Commons redevelopment project among sites visited by Washington Commerce Director Fong today

NW Innovation Resource Center, Mt. Vernon Library Commons redevelopment project among sites visited by Washington Commerce Director Fong today

Clean technology, key community initiatives fill agenda throughout Skagit County as state commerce director continues travels to all 39 Washington counties SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — Washington State Commerce Director Mike Fong today toured the Sedro-Woolley Innovation for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Center, the first stop on an agenda in Skagit County that also included Sedron Technologies, the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, and Triumph Teen Life Center and the Library Commons…

Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce funds efforts to bring more community voices to table in growth management planning

Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce funds efforts to bring more community voices to table in growth management planning

Grants to 26 community-based organizations seek to engage more perspectives in local process for comprehensive plan updates in nine counties statewide OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is awarding $2.2 million to 26 community-based organizations to participate in local planning efforts under the state Growth Management Act. Organizations will use this funding to help engage local policy makers and bring marginalized voices and community perspectives on specific…

Commerce invests $7.3 million to sustain five community-based behavioral health facilities

Commerce invests $7.3 million to sustain five community-based behavioral health facilities

Closure prevention funding will ensure long-term viability of 236 behavioral health beds, maintain outpatient treatment services in King, Kitsap and Yakima counties OLYMPIA, Wash. – Vital behavioral health facilities and services in three counties will receive a needed capital funding infusion from the Washington State Department of Commerce to ensure their availability over the next 10 years. The department today announced $7.3 million in closure prevention grants, responding to urgent…

CREDC Secures State Support for Semiconductor Manufacturing

CREDC Secures State Support for Semiconductor Manufacturing

Commerce is pleased to share this great news announced today by our partners at Columbia River Economic Development: Vancouver, WA — The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) announces the award of $300,000 from the state’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) to Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) to support employee training and upskilling in Clark County, WA. ADI is a global semiconductor leader that combines analog, digital, and software technologies into solutions…

Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce awards $72.6 million for community decarbonization work in 24 counties

Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: Commerce awards $72.6 million for community decarbonization work in 24 counties

Grants fund 71 projects including solar, hydrogen fueling, microgrids and more in communities most impacted by carbon pollution and climate change  SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $72.6 million for 71 grants for community clean energy projects across Washington that advance environmental justice and equity. The funding will benefit communities in 24 of Washington’s 39 counties through solar projects, hydrogen fueling, electricity microgrids and more. Funded…

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Department of Commerce sign agreement establishing government-to-government relations

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Department of Commerce sign agreement establishing government-to-government relations

Milestone memorandum of understanding formalizes areas of partnership; seeks to remove administrative barriers, ensure data sovereignty and more OLYMPIA, WA —  Chehalis Tribe Chairman Dustin Klatush and Washington State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong today signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing government-to-government relations between the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the department in a ceremony at Talking Cedars in Rochester, WA. The agreement seeks to…

Commerce awards nearly $40 million in Climate Commitment Act funds for local electrification programs

Commerce awards nearly $40 million in Climate Commitment Act funds for local electrification programs

New and established programs in communities statewide will provide electrification incentives and appliance rebates to homeowners and small businesses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $39,575,225 in grants to cities, counties, municipal utilities, and state and federally recognized tribes to support electrification of homes and businesses. The funding, made possible by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, will establish and enhance local programs that provide rebates and…