The Washington Department of Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified firms interested in preparing a guidance document for local jurisdictions on developing methods for calculating reduced and proportional impact fees and system development connection fees. The intended outcome is a connection fee structure that more accurately reflects the cost of development impacts. The work will review existing methodologies for calculating utility connection charges and the effect of utility connection charges…
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…
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.…
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…
Grants to 26 community-based organizations seek to engage more perspectives in local process for comprehensive plan updates in nine counties statewide OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce is awarding $2.2 million to 26 community-based organizations to participate in local planning efforts under the state Growth Management Act. Organizations will use this funding to help engage local policy makers and bring marginalized voices and community perspectives on specific…
The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking your feedback on the draft updates to middle housing model ordinances and the middle housing model ordinance user guide. These two ordinances, and the accompanying user guide, will provide technical assistance and guidance to cities adopting their own middle housing ordinances, regulations, and other official controls. Draft Model Ordinance for cities population 25,000 and over (PDF) Draft Model Ordinance for cities under…
Are you interested in shaping the future of your community? Do you want to add voices to the conversation about how your community looks and functions in the future? Is funding a barrier to your participation? If so, then you might be interested in this new funding opportunity. Recent updates to state law require Commerce to advance participation of vulnerable populations and overburdened communities in comprehensive planning processes. In response,…
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened nominations for the 18th 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. Nominations feature the best our state has to offer in collaborative community development and local comprehensive planning. Community leaders look to this…
Additional grant funding is available through March to support regional planning for vulnerable residents at the lowest income levels OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $240,000 to five community partnerships across the state to support coordination of land use planning and homeless services planning. Each city or county-led partnership will use the funds to coordinate resources and plan for their lowest income housing needs, including residents…
The Washington State Department of Commerce is hosting three public listening sessions this month to help communities provide us with direct feedback on a new grant program intended to foster greater participation in local policy decision-making. We need input from local community-based organizations representing overburdened communities and vulnerable populations to design a pilot grant program that helps with community engagement. Please share this notice with community-based organizations in your network…