Community Economic revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in three counties

Community Economic revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in three counties

State funds leverage over $127 million in private and local resources expected to create and retain 185 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $8.75 million in low-interest loans and $1.35 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Adams, Snohomish and Spokane counties. Adams County – $3.75 million loan and…

Community-Based Reentry Program Support Grants Request for Proposals

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention/Community Safety Unit (Commerce) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications from tribal partners or nonprofit community-based organizations. This program will support reentry services to currently or formally incarcerated people who are incarcerated or have exited juvenile or adult correctional facilities in Washington. Commerce is soliciting proposals from those qualified and interested in participating in projects…

Legal Aid for Indigent Immigrants Request for Proposals

Commerce is requesting proposals for legal representation for indigent immigrants (defined by RCW 10.101.010). Examples of qualifying populations include those with income below 125 percent of the federal poverty level and those unable to pay anticipated costs of counsel. Commerce hopes to award multiple contracts including at least one for statewide services. Application timeline: • Question & answer period May 16 to May 26, 2023, 5 p.m.• Pre-Proposal Conference was…

Community-Law Enforcement Partnership Program Request for Proposals

The Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention is now accepting applications for the Community-Law Enforcement Partnership Program   The Washington State Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention/Community Safety Unit (Commerce) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications from public agencies or nonprofit community-based organizations. The purpose of this program is to mobilize community participation in public safety efforts and establish cooperative lines of…

Broadband infrastructure investments promise access to high-speed internet connections for nearly 15,000 Washington households

Broadband infrastructure investments promise access to high-speed internet connections for nearly 15,000 Washington households

The Washington State Broadband Office awarded $121 million in grants that will provide connections to unserved and underserved communities statewide. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Broadband Office today announced over $121 million in grants for 19 broadband construction projects that will deliver reliable, high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities across the state. “Broadband access is essential infrastructure, providing a critical gateway to education, health care, social and…

30 Day Comment Period: HB 1337 – Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guidance

30 Day Comment Period: HB 1337 – Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Guidance

Commerce Growth Management Services (GMS) has updated our HB 1337 Draft Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidance (PDF), this time with requirements reflecting recent session law HB 1337. We are opening a 30-day comment period on the new guidance with comments due by June 15, 2023. Recently passed in the 2023 legislative session, the intent of HB 1337 is to further ADU construction, and increase the variety of housing types and housing…

Washington Electric Vehicle Incentive Program Request for Proposals

Commerce is initiating a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a consultant to design Phase I of a multi-phase electric vehicle (EV) incentive program, including a point-of-sale rebate program. Programs designed from this contract will help the state accelerate electric vehicle adoption, make electric vehicles affordable for residents currently priced out of the market, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and reduce climate pollution. Phase I Funding amount Commerce has…

Larger Cities, counties and tribes being allocated funding directly from the U.S. Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the eligibility of larger cities and counties (PDF), and federally-recognized tribes (PDF) of Washington to apply directly to the federal government for EECBG formula funds. Applications from local governments are due to the federal Department of Energy by January 31, 2024. The DOE’s application template, Energy and Conservation Strategy, states that local governments of all sizes are expected to “coordinate and share information…

Environmental Justice Assessments – Public comment period open through June 8, 2023

Commerce intends to adopt one additional SAA to create a pathway that encourages programs to opt-in to HEAL activities that wouldn’t otherwise be required to do so under the statutorily defined SAA categories. The additional SAA is: Where practicable, as determined by Commerce upon recommendation of the applicable program: projects of existing Commerce grant or loan programs that do not otherwise qualify as a SAA under RCW 70A.02.010(12); and/or Federally-funded…

Virtual Broadband Lunch and Learn on Tuesday 5/16

Join us! Let’s talk about the upcoming Public Works Board Broadband Program funding cycle at our virtual Lunch and Learn, Tuesday 5/16 from 12 PM – 1 PM. The Public Works Board Broadband Team will provide a cycle overview and take questions from our partners about our upcoming funding cycle with an anticipated opening of June 6th. We hope to see you there! Join the Zoom meeting.