Gov. Jay Inslee today named Michael Fong to serve as director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. He replaces Lisa Brown, who left Commerce earlier this year after leading the agency for four years. Kendrick Stewart, Commerce’s deputy director and current acting director, will continue leading the agency until Fong begins on May 8. Fong currently serves as the regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s operations in the…
Evergreen Manufacturing Grants designed to create new jobs in manufacturing, research and development OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce today announced $2 million in grants to accelerate manufacturing job growth and economic opportunity across the state with a particular focus on rural communities. Six businesses and four innovation cluster organizations were awarded $200,000 each through the Evergreen Manufacturing Grant program. These grants support the Building Economic Strength Through…
PNWH2 Hub concept envisions dynamic Pacific Northwest network of clean, renewable hydrogen suppliers and end-users to decarbonize some of the hardest-to-abate sectors OLYMPIA, WA – The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) submitted its full Funding Opportunity Application to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today in a bid to become one of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Up to approximately $1 billion in…
Grants leverage $66 million in local and private funds to expand homeownership access across Washington state. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce has invested $24.2 million to create and support homeownership opportunities throughout the state. Twenty-one new proposals were awarded grants and three existing projects will receive additional funding to cover gaps created by increased costs for materials. These projects will create approximately 242 new homeownership opportunities…
Building owners are encouraged to provide input on shaping energy efficiency requirements, financial incentives and assistance under Washington’s expanded Clean Buildings Standard OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is asking building owners to participate in the rulemaking process for the state’s expanded Clean Buildings Performance Standard, beginning with an introductory webinar at 10:30 a.m. on April 13. Energy-efficient buildings are essential to meeting our state’s climate goals…
Annual awards program celebrates excellence in planning for future growth, livable communities Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 17th annual Governor’s Smart Communities Awards, a program that recognizes outstanding work by local governments and their partners on community planning and development. For almost 20 years, this program has celebrated the accomplishments of local communities that make Washington state an extraordinary place to…
Grants bolster efforts to confront homelessness in 10 counties across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington Department of Commerce announced approximately $50.6 million in grants to 13 affordable housing projects throughout the state. This second round of funding through the state’s 2022 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program will create 214 affordable units and 70 beds of housing for people in Washington who are currently homeless or at high risk…
State funds leverage over $5.5 million in private and local investments expected to create dozens of family-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $2 million in low interest loans and $150,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in communities throughout the state. Columbia County – $50,000 grant to the Port of…
Hydrogen energy system study, groundbreaking Tribal-county collaborations among five innovative projects selected for funding across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $970,000 in Clean Energy Fund grants to five projects that will support electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state. Eligible applicants for this first round of current funding through the Electrification of Transportation Systems program were local governments, federally recognized tribal governments,…
$200,000 state grant to Economic Alliance Snohomish County helps jumpstart former Twin City Foods plant update OLYMPIA, WA – The Department of Commerce announced that No Meat Factory (NMF), a Canadian manufacturer of plant-based meat alternative products, will open a new production facility in Stanwood, Washington. The new plant will reopen a facility closed by Twin City Foods in 2017. The new facility will allow NMF to meet growing demand…