Leading hospitality industry veteran will give voice to Tribal communities and interests OLYMPIA, WA — Sam Askew, Executive Director of Resort Operations at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, has been appointed to the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority Advisory Committee by Commerce Director Lisa Brown. Askew fills a vacant position on the four-person committee reserved for representing the interests and perspectives of Washington’s Tribal communities. “Sam’s energy and extensive background in…
Across Washington State, homeless service providers working in shelters, outreach, and permanent supportive housing disproportionately suffer from workplace stress and trauma. Commerce is working with BDS Planning and D-Fine Concepts to develop recommendations and potential interventions to support homeless service providers who work in traumatizing environments, to better manage and address workplace stress and trauma. BDS Planning is conducting a series of surveys, focus groups, and conversations with homeless service…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bi_G4ivS1A Some 1.5 million new people are expected to move into King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties in the next 30 years. Thanks to VISION 2050, the result of a three-year planning process by the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) General Assembly, the region is better prepared to handle its anticipated growth. VISION 2050 incorporates multicounty planning policies and actions to create a growth strategy for the next 30 years.…
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…
When the Kent Valley transitioned from a farming community to industrial center, the landscape was altered. Giant warehouses with blank walls, limited windows and no curb appeal replaced verdant farmland. The community’s infrastructure changed to support the transportation of goods in and out, and not necessarily helping people stay close to home. While the manufacturing industry has been economically resilient and serves the community well, it has not always been…
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…
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…
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…
Once, the little retail center off Highway 405 in north Kirkland was home to a dark ‘70s era mall with mostly empty storefronts. Now the Village at Totem Lake is an Eastside destination. Whether people need health care or high-end groceries, or just want a bite to eat and a place to browse, Totem Lake is a bright, modern, mixed use destination that seamlessly combines retail, entertainment, health care and…
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…