Ports veteran brings powerful record of public and private sector accomplishments to new post in state’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Jay Inslee today welcomed Stephen Sewell to the Department of Commerce as economic development director for the state’s maritime industry sector. He introduced Sewell while participating in a roundtable at Crowley Maritime and tour of the Harbor Island Training Center at Vigor Industries late…

Gov. Inslee authorizes agencies to petition Growth Management Hearings Board for compliance review of new boundaries OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Departments of Commerce and Transportation today received authorization from Gov. Jay Inslee to appeal a recent expansion of the Spokane Urban Growth Area (UGA) enacted by Spokane County on July 18, 2013. Governor Inslee instructed Commerce Director Brian Bonlender and Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson to file a…

Following a request last week by Gov. Jay Inslee, the U.S. Small Business Administration opened a disaster loan office in Mount Vernon to help businesses suffering financial losses due to the I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse. “Our priority is ensuring our businesses succeed in the wake of this difficult disruption,” Inslee said. “I thank the SBA for its speedy response to my request. The low-interest loans now available will help…

Gov. Jay Inslee today requested that the Small Business Administration make its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program available to businesses hurt by the collapse of the I-5 Skagit River Bridge. The governor’s request provided evidence that at least five businesses in Skagit County demonstrated substantial economic injury as a result of the May 23 bridge collapse. That is the threshold needed under guidelines for the disaster loan program. “The collapse…

Nine cities and three counties receive awards for smart growth planning OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee today announced winners of the 2013 Smart Communities Awards. Now in its eighth year, the program recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to quality of life in Washington state. “These projects help create and sustain a thriving economic climate and strengthen our ability to lead in the global economy,”…

Across Washington, there is a new way to help people locate affordable rental housing Across Washington, there is a new way to help people locate affordable rental housing. HousingSearchNW.org, an online, no cost, service for renters and landlords, is expanding service statewide. A group of King County organizations (Rental Housing Association of Washington, Tenants Union, United Way of King County, City of Seattle, King County, Seattle Housing Authority, and King…

Governor Jay Inslee today directed the state Department of Commerce to release $150,000 from its Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account to support local economies affected by the Skagit River bridge collapse on Interstate 5. Governor Jay Inslee today directed the state Department of Commerce to release $150,000 from its Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account to support local economies affected by the Skagit River bridge collapse on Interstate 5. “We know…

High Percentage of New Homes in Washington State Exceed Current Energy Code The Washington State Department of Commerce and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), representing an alliance of Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations, today announced a study of residential energy code compliance that shows Washington State is highest in the nation. In 2009, Washington State adopted one of the most rigorous residential building energy codes in the country. To determine whether Washington home builders…

For decades, transforming Puget Sound’s forest lands, fields and shorelines into places for new homes and businesses often has come at the expense of the environment. While development reduces fish and wildlife habitat, it can also have other negative environmental effects such as diminishing the effectiveness of wetlands and floodplains to filter, cleanse and control polluted runoff – also known as stormwater – which is the number one pollution threat…

Public hearing set for March 28 in Olympia The Washington State Department of Commerce will conduct a public hearing from 11 a.m. to noon, March 28, 2013, in Olympia to receive comments on its waiver request for additional federal funds to weatherize homes. The hearing will be in the 2nd Floor Conference Room 207 of the Town Square Complex, Building 5, 1011 Plum Street SE, Olympia. Each year, the state receives federal…