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New $3.9 million Federal grant will aid state efforts to clean up contaminated sites
Environmental Protection Agency funding seeks to address economic, social and environmental challenges caused by contaminated land Olympia, Wash. – Washington state’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) recently received a $3.9-million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist clean up and redevelopment projects on “brownfield” sites statewide. A brownfield is property commonly used for industrial purposes, such as former gas stations or dry cleaners, which are polluted and require

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $200,000 in three counties
WSU tech transfer center study among projects awarded planning grants at May board meeting OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $200,000 in grants for rural broadband and economic development feasibility studies. Projects awarded funding are located in Clark, Spokane, and Whitman counties and will spur broadband deployment, business growth and job creation. Clark County $50,000 grant to the Port of Camas-Washougal for the

Corvus Energy to expand, opening new factory at Port of Bellingham
ICYMI…We’re pleased to share this exciting news from the Port of Bellingham and their partners. Commerce provided support to the Port from the state’s economic development strategic reserve fund to assist with building renovations to accommodate Corvus Energy’s first U.S. manufacturing facility. Whatcom County, WA –The Port of Bellingham (Port) is excited to announce that Corvus Energy has chosen Whatcom County to expand its US operations and open a new

Commerce awards $1.7 million in planning grants to address housing affordability statewide
Funding will support housing strategies to increase urban residential building capacity and streamline development regulation in 28 communities across Washington state. OLYMPIA, WA – Decades of underbuilding homes at all income levels has created a supply and demand imbalance playing out today in the affordable housing and homelessness crisis in communities across Washington state. One study suggests the shortage is more than 225,000 units. To help communities address this growing

Commerce adds to leadership team
Liz Rocca to lead communications; Stephanie Bowman appointed to lead maritime sector economic development OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently announced two new appointments to key leadership roles in the growing state agency. Veteran journalist Liz Rocca joins Commerce’s Executive Leadership team as Communications Director. In the department’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, former Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman is serving as Governor’s

Free, self-directed learning series tailored for creative occupations teaches essential skills to build a successful small business OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce has launched its new Creatives Academy, the third in a series of self-directed educational academies for small business owners. Designed to teach the essential skills needed to turn a creative pursuit into a successful small business, the academy contains 11 tracks. Lessons range from developing

Grants fund utility connection fees and improvements needed to connect affordable housing to municipal water and sewer. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $17.5 million in funding for 26 projects that will support the development of nearly 2,100 affordable housing units throughout the state. Funds will lower the effective cost of development by about $8,000 for each housing unit. “The communities receiving grant funds have

Commerce awards grants to 25 projects for acquisition, renovation and new construction of local behavioral health facilities in nine counties across Washington OLYMPIA, WA – More people needing assistance with a wide variety of behavioral health issues, including people leaving Western and Eastern State hospitals, will have opportunities for local treatment thanks to $46.9 million in new grants announced today. The 25 behavioral health projects awarded funding through the Washington
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Penny Thomas, Media Relations Manager
Email: Penny.Thomas@Commerce.wa.gov
Office: 206-256-6106
Mobile: 360-704-9489