Washington state aerospace companies, partnership opportunities in the spotlight at Aeromart Montreal March 31-April 2

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, March 30, 2015 – A delegation of Washington state aerospace companies and Department of Commerce officials is connecting with industry decision-makers and government representatives from more than 28 countries this week at Aeromart Montreal. Washington state produces leads all U.S. states in aerospace exports and is home to the Boeing’s revolutionary 777X and carbon-fiber wing programs. Located at Stand 1310, the Washington contingent will showcase its state’s global…

Community Economic Revitalization Board announces nearly $1.7 million in grants and loans

Public investments to fund infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies in Cowlitz, Douglas, Franklin, and Jefferson counties The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $1,687,500 in public investments for infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies targeting business growth and job creation in the cities of Kelso, Connell and Port Townsend, Cowlitz County, and the Port of Douglas County. Jefferson County – $1.2 million loan and a $300,000 grant to the City…

18 Washington state tech companies bound for Barcelona, 2015 Mobile World Congress

Washington State Department of Commerce aims to increase awareness and sales in international markets for innovative technology businesses Demonstrating the state’s leadership in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, the Washington State Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of 18 companies at GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the world’s largest conference for the mobile tech industry. This is the fourth consecutive year Commerce has showcased new…

Low-income individuals and families can reduce or eliminate federal taxes owed

Millions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits go unclaimed each year Low-income people can reduce or eliminate the amount of federal income taxes they pay by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2014 income tax returns. Some may even qualify for a lump-sum payment if the credit exceeds the amount of taxes owed. Last year, the average Earned Income Tax Credit refund in our state was $2,145 per person.…

Large-scale aerospace manufacturing project in Moses Lake helped along with state grant

Advanced Permitting Grant will build on growing aerospace industry momentum at Grant County International Airport The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced a $350,000 grant to Grant County to advance environmental permitting efforts and help prepare sites for large-scale manufacturing development at the Port of Moses Lake. The County will use the funding to conduct environmental review for 400-acres of property at Grant County International Airport. While no specific…

Washington State wins Business Facilities Economic Development Deal of the Year Award

Trade magazine awards Silver Medal for state’s 777X project Efforts to keep Boeing’s next-generation commercial aircraft, the 777X, in Washington State, earned Washington’s Department of Commerce the 2014 Economic Development Deal of the Year Silver Award, presented by Business Facilities magazine. Washington was in competition with two dozen other states for the project. The 777 program currently supports 56,900 jobs in the state and $3.5 billion in annual wages. Additionally,…

Washington Military Alliance announces interim leadership team

Washington Military Alliance announces interim leadership team Executive leadership team and advisory committee named to spearhead U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment grant activities for Washington State The Washington Military Alliance (WMA) named four members to serve as their executive leadership team while the organization moves forward as a chartered public-partnership formed to provide a single voice in representing the state’s interests as the U.S. Department of Defense…

Community Economic Revitalization Board approves funding for projects in seven counties

Community Economic Revitalization Board approves funding for projects in seven counties The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $412,500 in public investments for infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies targeting business growth and job creation. Funds were approved for the Port of Othello, City of Chelan, Quileute Tribal Council, City of Aberdeen, Port District of South Whidbey, Fort Worden Public Development Authority and City of Arlington. Adams…

Nearly 400,000 Washington households pay over half their income on housing

New housing study from Affordable Housing Advisory Board is most comprehensive in a decade Over 390,000 Washington households pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing expenses, Faith Li Pettis, chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB), told the Legislature today. “Since 2000, incomes in the state have declined by 2.4 percent but median rents have increased 7.8 percent in real dollars,” Pettis said. “Over the next…

Governor Inslee names Lael Duncan chair of State Advisory Council on Homelessness

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Lael Duncan to chair the State Advisory Council on Homelessness. Duncan has served on the committee since 2006 and is also presently the Executive Director of the Okanogan Community Action Council, where she led the creation of the county’s 10 year plan to end homelessness. “Lael will bring invaluable experience and energy to her new leadership role for the Council,” Gov. Inslee said.  “She is…