ICYMI…We’re pleased to share this exciting news from the Port of Bellingham and their partners. Commerce provided support to the Port from the state’s economic development strategic reserve fund to assist with building renovations to accommodate Corvus Energy’s first U.S. manufacturing facility. Whatcom County, WA –The Port of Bellingham (Port) is excited to announce that Corvus Energy has chosen Whatcom County to expand its US operations and open a new…
Funding will support housing strategies to increase urban residential building capacity and streamline development regulation in 28 communities across Washington state. OLYMPIA, WA – Decades of underbuilding homes at all income levels has created a supply and demand imbalance playing out today in the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in communities across Washington state. One study suggests the shortage is more than 225,000 units. To help communities address this growing…
Liz Rocca to lead communications; Stephanie Bowman appointed to lead maritime sector economic development OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently announced two new appointments to key leadership roles in the growing state agency. Veteran journalist Liz Rocca joins Commerce’s Executive Leadership team as Communications Director. In the department’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, former Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman is serving as Governor’s…
Free, self-directed learning series tailored for creative occupations teaches essential skills to build a successful small business OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce has launched its new Creatives Academy, the third in a series of self-directed educational academies for small business owners. Designed to teach the essential skills needed to turn a creative pursuit into a successful small business, the academy contains 11 tracks. Lessons range from developing…
Grants fund utility connection fees and improvements needed to connect affordable housing to municipal water and sewer. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $17.5 million in funding for 26 projects that will support the development of nearly 2,100 affordable housing units throughout the state. Funds will lower the effective cost of development by about $8,000 for each housing unit. “The communities receiving grant funds have…
Commerce awards grants to 25 projects for acquisition, renovation and new construction of local behavioral health facilities in nine counties across Washington OLYMPIA, WA – More people needing assistance with a wide variety of behavioral health issues, including people leaving Western and Eastern State hospitals, will have opportunities for local treatment thanks to $46.9 million in new grants announced today. The 25 behavioral health projects awarded funding through the Washington…
Grants will fund the acquisition, renovation, planning and new construction of 69 high-quality early learning facilities across 22 counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announced $43.2 million in grants to 69 early learning projects across the state. The grants provide financial assistance to allow Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections…
Ten tech startup founders will form the inaugural cohort and receive up to $100K in philanthropic funding. SEATTLE— After reviewing over a hundred applications, Find Ventures is excited to announce the 10 companies selected to participate in a founder-focused startup accelerator program that will begin in April 2022. Last year, Find Ventures in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, announced its plans to launch a new Equitable Innovations…
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today called for nominations for the 16th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on long-term community planning and development. Nominees offer a view into the values and long-term priorities of their communities through their plans and actions shaping how they…
Competitive process identifies 10 proposed research, development and demonstration projects to receive $8.5 million in Clean Energy Fund grants OLYMPIA, WA – Making green hydrogen fuel from captured Co2, water and electricity for a quiet, clean portable alternative to diesel-powered generators. Repurposing retired electric bus batteries. Creating next-generation batteries. Recycling wind turbine blade materials to create new products. Using food and forest waste in new ways and to train workers…