Commerce leads first Choose Washington business delegation at Gamescom

Commerce leads first Choose Washington business delegation at Gamescom

Gamesight, House of How, One More Game will participate in world’s largest computer and video games tradeshow Aug. 21-26 in Cologne, Germany OLYMPIA, WA – Three Washington state companies will join international trade experts from the Department of Commerce at Gamescom, taking place in Cologne, Germany, Aug. 21-26. This is the first state-sponsored trip to the world’s largest tradeshow for computer and video games. Gamescom draws hundreds of thousands of…

2024 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners announced

2024 Washington Governor’s Smart Communities Award winners announced

Annual awards recognize exceptional accomplishments by local governments and partners in land use planning and development OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 12 winners of the 2024 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Presented annually since 2006, the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development. “Each year, I get to elevate plans, projects or…

$48.5 million capital investment by Commerce boosts community behavioral health capacity

$48.5 million capital investment by Commerce boosts community behavioral health capacity

Grants awarded to 17 projects for the acquisition, renovation, and new construction of behavioral health facilities in 10 counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $48.5 million in grants to 17 projects that will assist people with a wide variety of behavioral health conditions and offer community-based treatment for people leaving Eastern State and Western State hospitals. In total, these investments in 10 counties across…

New state rebate program reduces cost to buy or lease electric vehicles for low-income drivers

New state rebate program reduces cost to buy or lease electric vehicles for low-income drivers

Rebate program is first of its kind in the nation and applies to several popular EV models SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Commerce launched its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program today. The program will provide up to $9,000 off a new EV lease for low-income drivers at point-of-sale, bringing lease payments under $200 a month on several popular electric models at current pricing – well below…

Commerce invests $7.6 million in violence prevention with 21 by-and-for organizations

Commerce invests $7.6 million in violence prevention with 21 by-and-for organizations

Espanol (PDF) Reinvestment Project funding will boost planning, prevention and crisis intervention efforts throughout Washington OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $7.6 million in grants to 21 organizations disrupting firearm violence in communities disproportionately harmed by the Nixon-era war on drugs – the historic design and enforcement of U.S. state and federal criminal laws and penalties for drug possession. Grants are funded by the Washington…

Commerce awards grants to boost salmon recovery planning

Commerce awards grants to boost salmon recovery planning

Five projects will receive $1.2 million from state Climate Commitment Act and EPA funds to advance local salmon recovery efforts OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is awarding approximately $1.2 million to four local governments and one tribe to support long-range planning in support of salmon recovery efforts. The funding will help integrate salmon recovery work into local growth management and land use planning and development regulations.…

Up to 675,000 Washington households will see electricity bills reduced by $200 thanks to state Climate Commitment Act

Up to 675,000 Washington households will see electricity bills reduced by $200 thanks to state Climate Commitment Act

Español русский українська 中文 Tiếng Việt Department of Commerce launches $150-million Washington Families Clean Energy Credits program to support low- and moderate-income electricity customers statewide OLYMPIA, WA – The Department of Commerce today announced the Washington Families Clean Energy Credits grant program. This program provides a $200 energy bill credit to eligible electricity customers across Washington and is funded by the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). “We are committed to…

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…