Grants and low-interest loans available for broadband construction projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board today opened applications for broadband funding, offering $15.8 million in grants and low-interest loans for broadband construction projects. Projects in distressed counties are eligible for 30% grant and 70% loan funding, until funds are exhausted. Local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities, limited liability corporations (LLC), and incorporated businesses or…
Annual awards recognize excellence, creativity, collaboration in land use planning and development OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 11 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Presented annually since 2006, the Smart Communities Awards program recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development. The awards showcase effective implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The honored…
The Public Works Board’s December Meeting is December 1, 2023 from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. This meeting will be held online via Zoom, and in person at the Washington State Department of Commerce headquarters in Olympia (1011 Plum Street, Olympia, WA 98501). Join the Zoom meeting.
Funds will repair emergency water projects in Chelan and Douglas counties, and connect nearly 600 unserved locations to high-speed internet OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) recently approved $4.3 million in critical infrastructure projects in three communities. They include $575,000 in emergency construction projects and $3.7 million in broadband funding. At its Oct. 19 special meeting called to address an emergency funding request, the PWB approved $400,000 for…
Application due date is December 4, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The Financial Coaching and Mentorship Project will provide $10 million in grants for community organizations and financial institutions to hire 45 to 50 full-time employees for two years. Each grant may not exceed $450,000. Learn more: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting-with-commerce/grants-and-loans/request-for-applications-community-reinvestment-financial-coaching-and-mentorship-grant-project/
Commerce seeks public comments on its climate element planning guidance. The Washington Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on its draft intermediate climate planning guidance (PDF) for developing a comprehensive plan climate element. Commerce will provide an open comment period starting Oct. 23 through Nov. 20 for the public to review and comment on the draft intermediate guidance. Per HB 1181 (2023), Commerce must publish “intermediate” guidance by the…
The Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP) funds planning and predesign activities for capital projects. Commerce has many programs that fund the construction of capital projects and capital projects require planning and predesign activities prior to any award being made. Planning and predesign activities are often a barrier for smaller community-based organizations and tribes. The Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP) provides grants and technical assistance to smaller…
Washington Community Charging Infrastructure Grant Program – The Washington Department of Commerce is launching the $65M electric vehicle community charging infrastructure grant program and will be accepting applications through December 1, 2023, for multi-family housing, publicly available charging, and fleet charging. Visit Washington State Electric Vehicle Charging Program website for program criteria and eligibility. The Notice of Funding Opportunity for the program opens September 6, 2023. Applications due December 1, 2023. The…
November 1, 2023, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Zoom November 1, 2023 Meeting packet (PDF) Register for the EV Council Meeting (on Zoom) Watch TVW.org livestream on November 1, 2023
The Washington State Department of Commerce has been awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, a funding opportunity from the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We expect these funds to become available to communities in 2024. Commerce will sub-grant the majority of this award to build capacity for the transition to clean energy…