2002, 2018

National study shows local gains, but still insufficient affordable housing construction

A 2017 study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition that looked at affordable housing in the 50 largest metro areas in the country showed Seattle has 29 units of affordable housing for every 100 households with extremely low income. While we are building more than other regions of the country, Puget Sound population growth still outpaces the rate of construction. Willingness to explore new housing ideas and build homes more quickly is…

State logs robust 4.3% GDP growth for the third quarter

Washington’s state GDP increased 4.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017, the most recent reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). That’s fourth best nationwide, behind only Delaware (5.7), Texas (5.0) and New Hampshire (4.4). Once again, the information sector far outpaced other sectors, contributing 1.29 of Washington’s percentage point change. Other strong sectors were retail trade at .61 percent and finance and insurance at .50 percent. Durable…

Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $4.9 million in nine counties

Two of largest projects include private partner investments of $120 million by Sunnyside Community Hospital Association for new hospital construction and $10 million by KW Partners/FedEx at Port of Everett. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $4,956,250 in grants and low-interest loans for public infrastructure development and economic feasibility studies in nine counties across the state. The projects target business growth and job…

Gov. Inslee praises five “Solar Communities”

Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Mercer Island, and Seattle recognized for increasing residential solar energy installations through reduced costs, streamlined permitting Gov. Jay Inslee today proclaimed the cities of Bellevue, Edmonds, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Seattle “Northwest Solar Communities,” acknowledging their various initiatives that have increased residential solar installations by nearly 200% since 2013. The Northwest Solar Communities program joined local governments, utilities, and solar industry stakeholders from Washington and Oregon to bring down the cost…