Local Government – Washington State Department of Commerce
  • Languages

    • Commerce’s Local Government Division is built to understand and support the diverse needs of local and community leaders. LGD provides financial and technical assistance primarily to local governments, but also supports nonprofits, community organizations, and tribes. Capital investments are our bread and butter.

    Our portfolio of programming ranges from broadband and other public infrastructure to community and economic development, planning for sustainable growth, behavioral health, early learning and other community facility investments. There are few aspects of community that LGD does not intersect, and that diversity is our strength.

    Resource
    Local Government Portal
    Need funding for your project? Commerce offers a variety of grant and loan funding to assist you in addressing your community’s needs.
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    Broadband Resources and Funding
    In Washington, three agencies offer funding to expand broadband access. Learn more about each program’s offerings and timelines.
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    Community Capital Facilities
    A capital facility project is the purchase, new construction or significant, long-term improvements to existing facilities that are part of public infrastructure. A capital project usually has a useful life of at least 13 years and typically requires the involvement of an architect and/or engineer.

    Local Government Units

    Unit

    Growth Management

    Growth Management Services (GMS) serves to assist and guide local governments, state agencies, and others to manage growth and development, consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA).
    Local Government
    Unit

    Public Works Board

    Since its founding in 1985, the Public Works Board (PWB) has awarded more than $3.6 billion in loans and grants to over 2,200 infrastructure projects […]
    Local Government
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    Research and Development Services

    The Research and Development Services Unit includes several municipal research programs, the division’s securitization team, as well as a research and project management services team. […]
    Local Government
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    Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO)

    In recognition that broadband access is critical to the residents of Washington, RCW 43.330.532 established the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) and tasked it with […]
    Local Government
    Unit

    Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB)

    The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) was formed in 1982 to respond to local economic development in Washington communities. CERB provides funding to local governments and […]
    Local Government
    Unit

    Community Capital Facilities

    You may not think about the Department of Commerce when your school gets a new Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, or when the […]
    Local Government

    Featured Programs

    Resource

    Internet for All Initiative

    The Washington State Broadband Office led a state planning process to develop a Five-Year Action Plan (PDF) and a State Digital Equity Plan (PDF). These […]
    Local Government
    Program

    Early Learning Facilities Program

    The Early Learning Facilities program supports Washington’s commitment to develop additional high quality early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.
    Local Government
    Program

    Behavioral Health Facilities Program

    Our grants establish new behavioral health service capacity in communities through acquisition, renovation, or new construction of real property.
    Local Government
    Resource

    Periodic Update

    This page is dedicated to the Growth Management Act Periodic Update. We post checklists, guidance documents and other GMA related support materials here on a regular basis to help local governments with their reviews
    Local Government
    Resource

    Climate Planning

    This page provides planning guidance, grants and other resources for developing a climate element that mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and builds community resilience.
    Local Government

    Housing Planning

    The Housing Planning page contains information on housing grants and guidance, as well as links to specific program pages.
    Local Government