National Development Council and Commerce receive award for Washington Small Business FlexFund loan program SEATTLE, Washington — The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has recognized Washington’s Small Business Flex Fund with an industry award for its positive contributions to the state’s economic recovery. Earlier this week at the IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards, the National Development Council (NDC) and the Washington State Department of Commerce shared a Gold Award…
Draft guidance posted. You can see the guidance and other HB 1220 related documents on our HB 1220 webpage.
The Industrial Site Readiness grant is designed to enhancing large scale site development by providing funding for various site readiness services, which will boost the state’s portfolio of project-ready sites and attract new investment. Industrial Site Readiness Grant Program Guidelines (PDF) Addendum 1 Site Readiness Grant Program Guidelines (PDF) Industrial Site Readiness Grant Online Application General Information and eligibility requirements The Industrial Site Readiness program offers $2.5 million in grant…
As many of you know, OCVA has welcomed several new staff over the past few months, and we have seen some folks promote into new roles. We are excited to share a few updates. New Faces Name and pronouns: Mikah Semrow, they/them/theirs Current role at OCVA: Section Manager, Sexual Assault Services Previous role or a bit about your background: I’ve worked in many different types of grantee organizations related to sexual assault,…
As construction costs rise, Housing Trust Fund investments help keep multifamily projects moving forward OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced it would supplement 22 multifamily affordable housing projects with an additional $26.6 million from the state Housing Trust fund. This additional funding will bridge the gap created by steep increases in construction costs and help support developers in maintaining a needed pipeline of affordable housing…
The Department of Commerce is excited to announce it has finalized a contract for the Harriet Tubman Foundation for Safe Passage to manage the Community Reinvestment Account Plan! HTFFSP has proven expertise in BIPOC-led community engagement and academic leadership that will serve to connect us with the communities most affected by the war on drugs. Their founder, Ms. Jesse Miller leads with heart as a person of lived experience with…
Exploring the fascinating future of maritime with our Norwegian partners We were welcomed to Norway with a briefing from the US Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce in Oslo. After being properly equipped with local knowledge, we traveled to Horten, to spend the day with Kongsberg Maritime. The Norwegian-owned company is a strong maritime partner and investor in Washington state, both through Kongsberg Underwater Technology located in Lynnwood, WA and…
Exploring clean fuels, quantum computing, the future of maritime and celebrating collaboration with Finland The past couple of days have been extremely exciting and productive, including a visit to Neste World Headquarters in Espoo, Finland. Originally an oil and gas company, Neste is now the leading supplier of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel to the U.S. as well as a supplier of renewable diesel and recycled and renewable plastics.…
Washington Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently appointed former Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove as the new chair of the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). In addition to serving as mayor and city council member from 1994-2019, Echanove is currently employed at Washington State University’s Pullman Campus. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho. “Michael brings a unique blend of experience in local government and rural community and economic that…
Finland visits offer insight on industry transformation through 5G, nuclear waste management & more The familiar comfort of rainy Finnish skies welcomed Commerce’s Innovation Cluster delegates on our first day of the Washington state trade mission to the Nordic region. The day began with a briefing from the U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Douglas Hickey and his staff. We visited the Nokia Experience Center, learning about work to bring internet conductivity…