PWB Special Meeting on March 24, 2023

The Public Works Board will hold a Special Meeting on March 24, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The meeting will be held online via Zoom. Members of the public are invited to attend.

Commerce awards $50.6 million to rapidly acquire 13 properties for shelters, affordable housing

Commerce awards $50.6 million to rapidly acquire 13 properties for shelters, affordable housing

Grants bolster efforts to confront homelessness in 10 counties across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington Department of Commerce announced approximately $50.6 million in grants to 13 affordable housing projects throughout the state. This second round of funding through the state’s 2022 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program will create 214 affordable units and 70 beds of housing for people in Washington who are currently homeless or at high risk…

Draft ADU Guidance – 30 Day Public Comment Period

Draft ADU Guidance – 30 Day Public Comment Period

The Washington State Department of Commerce has drafted an update to the 1994 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) guidance developed to implement RCW 43.63A.215. Public review and comment on the updated draft ADU Guidance will be open from March 15 to April 15, 2023. Updates in the draft guidance include: The legal authority and case law related to ADUs Recommendations for cities and other urban areas Key considerations for counties Addressing…

Cost Study – Growth Management Act

Cost Study – Growth Management Act

In response to a 2022 legislative request, Commerce recently completed a Planning Cost Study focused on the Growth Management Act. Developed and implemented by Community Attributes Inc. (CAI) and Land Development Consultants (LDC), the study combines a cost survey distributed to cities and counties around our state and a series of in-depth interviews on technical assistance. We encourage you to read the full report (PDF).  While costs varied heavily with…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $2.1 million in four counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $2.1 million in four counties

State funds leverage over $5.5 million in private and local investments expected to create dozens of family-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $2 million in low interest loans and $150,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in communities throughout the state. Columbia County – $50,000 grant to the Port of…

Transportation electrification projects awarded nearly $1 million in Clean Energy Fund grants

Transportation electrification projects awarded nearly $1 million in Clean Energy Fund grants

Hydrogen energy system study, groundbreaking Tribal-county collaborations among five innovative projects selected for funding across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $970,000 in Clean Energy Fund grants to five projects that will support electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state.  Eligible applicants for this first round of current funding through the Electrification of Transportation Systems program were local governments, federally recognized tribal governments,…

Canadian plant-based food producer No Meat Factory to launch operations in Stanwood, WA

Canadian plant-based food producer No Meat Factory to launch operations in Stanwood, WA

$200,000 state grant to Economic Alliance Snohomish County helps jumpstart former Twin City Foods plant update OLYMPIA, WA – The Department of Commerce announced that No Meat Factory (NMF), a Canadian manufacturer of plant-based meat alternative products, will open a new production facility in Stanwood, Washington. The new plant will reopen a facility closed by Twin City Foods in 2017. The new facility will allow NMF to meet growing demand…

State grant application portal opens Mar. 14, 2023 for hospitality and lodging businesses

State grant application portal opens Mar. 14, 2023 for hospitality and lodging businesses

$100 million available to support businesses affected by pandemic; information webinar March 13 OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic. The application portal opens on March 14 at wahospitalitygrants.com. An informational webinar is scheduled for Monday, March 13. To learn more and subscribe to email updates about…

Washington state receives $163.4 million to fund innovative small business loan programs

Washington state receives $163.4 million to fund innovative small business loan programs

Five new programs to be offered through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state has been awarded $163.4 million from the U.S. Treasury Department to operate five capital access programs for small businesses. The new funding will be used to launch an updated version of the state’s highly successful Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, which was completed in 2016. SSBCI leveraged an original $19.7…