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Grants will fund the acquisition, renovation, planning and new construction of 69 high-quality early learning facilities across 22 counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announced $43.2 million in grants to 69 early learning projects across the state. The grants provide financial assistance to allow Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections

Find Ventures and Department of Commerce announce Equitable Innovations Accelerator Cohort
Ten tech startup founders will form the inaugural cohort and receive up to $100K in philanthropic funding. SEATTLE— After reviewing over a hundred applications, Find Ventures is excited to announce the 10 companies selected to participate in a founder-focused startup accelerator program that will begin in April 2022. Last year, Find Ventures in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, announced its plans to launch a new Equitable Innovations

Governor’s 2022 Smart Communities Awards nominations open now through May 20 (Update May 3, 2022)
Annual awards recognize outstanding work in community planning and development Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today called for nominations for the 16th 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. Nominees offer a view into the values and long-term priorities of their communities through their plans and actions shaping how they

Competitive process identifies 10 proposed research, development and demonstration projects to receive $8.5 million in Clean Energy Fund grants OLYMPIA, WA – Making green hydrogen fuel from captured Co2, water and electricity for a quiet, clean portable alternative to diesel-powered generators. Repurposing retired electric bus batteries. Creating next-generation batteries. Recycling wind turbine blade materials to create new products. Using food and forest waste in new ways and to train workers

Mark Vasconi appointed to lead Washington State Broadband Office
Digital equity focus, successful work with rural and underserved communities, position new director to continue advancing state’s ambitious goal of broadband access for all by 2024. OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Mark Vasconi to serve as director of the Washington State Broadband Office within the Department of Commerce. Vasconi comes to the job with significant public and private sector experience in telecommunications. During more than a decade

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board lands $65 million in new capital budget
Clallam, Pacific, Spokane and Yakima Counties awarded latest round of $200,000 in CERB planning grants today OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) received $40 million for economic development funding and $25 million for community broadband funding in the 2022 supplemental capital budget. These historic levels of funding arrive as CERB celebrates 40 years and will assist rural communities and Tribes in building their economic futures.

Innovation Cluster Accelerator supports public-private collaboration and investment to speed research and development, support startups, and expand access to capital and international markets. OLYMPIA, WA – Four additional industry-led consortia were awarded Innovation Cluster Accelerator grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce. These public-private organizations join five others selected earlier this year to grow key industry sectors in Washington state. Each will receive $500,000, along with strategic guidance and

Washington’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention reports progress, recommendations, next steps in addressing gun violence in Washington communities OLYMPIA, WA — Firearm violence is a persistent health and safety threat for communities and families in Washington state, where a person is killed with a gun every 12 hours (The State of Gun violence in Washington – 2020). These deaths and injuries are preventable. One year into its work
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