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…
IPZs connect research, private sector, workforce partners to spur development in target clusters OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today designated three new Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs) and reauthorized one other to help spur regional economic growth through key sectors such as manufacturing, global health and technology. “Washington is known worldwide for its innovation, research and development, and bold new ideas,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “The…
Community Economic Revitalization Board awards $2 million loan to Snohomish County Airport OLYMPIA, WA – The state Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today announced approval of a $2 million loan for Snohomish County Airport to invest in Paine Field infrastructure. The County will use the funds, along with more than $2 million in local match, to prepare 42 acres of the Paine Field Aerospace Business Park for construction of an…
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…
Funds will support economic development in Clark, Whitman, and Yakima counties OLYMPIA, WA –The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today announced nearly $2.1 million in public investments targeting business growth and job creation across the state. “Tools like CERB help Washington businesses succeed, supporting jobs and increasing our state’s competitiveness,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “CERB’s dedication to helping communities around Washington…
Point in Time Count shows services effective, still work to be done OLYMPIA, WA – Homelessness has decreased throughout the state, according to numbers released today by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The numbers are from the statewide annual Point in Time Count that took place January 24, 2013. Local homeless service providers and volunteers across the state counted 17,775 people living unsheltered or in emergency shelters or transitional housing. Of those,…
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…
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-2) and Washington state’s 51-person delegation at the 50th Anniversary International Paris Air Show today joined MTorres and Boeing in two announcements at the worldwide gathering of the aerospace industry held every two years in Le Bourget, near Paris, France. MTorres, a privately-owned Spanish supplier of highly sophisticated automated equipment to the aerospace and paper industries, today announced that Pacific Engineering, Inc. will open a new assembly…
Delegation also applauds agreement between Dassault Systemes and Center of Excellence at Everett Community College Rep. Rick Larsen, tapped by Governor Jay Inslee to lead the Washington state delegation to the 50th International Paris Air Show, today joined Umbra Cuscinetti, Inc., to announce the company’s move into a newly-renovated, energy-efficient 68,000 square foot facility in Everett, WA. Umbra Cuscinetti is the U.S. entity of Italian-owned Umbra Group. This move allows…