Our state economy is deeply engaged in trade in Asia – Pacific Rim markets. Vietnam ranked 10th for imports to Washington, led by apparel and footwear, while it is just 32nd as an export market for Washington goods such as aircraft and agricultural commodities. Commerce was pleased to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Chamber, Hanoi Promotion Agency and Vietnam Software and IT Service Association in co-organizing an investment summit…
The Washington State Department of Commerce, together with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and local partners, held Opportunity Zone Listening Sessions throughout Washington state in August, September and October to help educate communities about this new federal program. Because we weren’t able to host sessions in every community, Commerce is holding a virtual listening session online on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 10 a.m. Space is limited, so please register now.…
Seven communities to receive funding for public infrastructure projects OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board awarded seven cities, counties and water districts approximately $3,504,774 in pre-construction and emergency loans for 2018. The board selected seven out of eight projects from applications requesting over $4.5 million. The purpose of a pre-construction loan is to pay for the work required before constructions begins. These projects will improve water, sanitary…
Department of Commerce seeking input to develop guidebook that will help communities plan for growth, development around military installations OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is drafting a Washington State Guidebook on Military and Community Compatibility as a technical resource for local governments to use in planning for development near military installations. The first of several community workshops to capture opinions and comments for the project is Monday,…
The Washington State Department of Commerce has received 17 Stage 2 applications to the Washington State Housing Trust Fund (HTF) for affordable housing projects across the state.The proposed projects intend to serve a wide variety of low-income and special needs populations, including persons with chronic mental illnesses, persons with disabilities, veterans, seniors, homeless families with children and farm workers. The list of Stage 2 applications received can be viewed by…
Survey now open to gather input on resources to guide communities in planning for development around Department of Defense and other military installations OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is drafting a Washington State Guidebook on Military and Community Compatibility as a technical resource for local governments to use in planning for development near military installations. An online survey is now available to capture opinions and comments…
At the close of the 2017-2018 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature directed the Department of Commerce , in cooperation with the Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), to initiate an inventory of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in Washington state, excluding single-family housing. Commerce and DAHP convened a 28-member advisory committee and contracted for a seismic study of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. This undertaking included inventorying and categorizing the…
Our Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection (OHY) is pleased to receive YWCA of Olympia’s 2018 Business of Achievement award. We are committed to learning by listening to youths. In making the decision for this award, YWCA noted that OHY: …is committed to raising awareness and supports to end youth and young adult homelessness. The office does not attempt to estimate or guess what youth and young adults need…
Two independent studies recognize Washington’s unmatched aerospace workforce; New recommendations aim to meet industry demand for the next generation of top talent. GIG HARBOR, WA – Leaders of the effort to win design, production, and final assembly of Boeing’s potential new middle-market airplane (NMA) returned to Pierce County today, meeting at the newly opened Point Fosdick Antique Airplane Hangar. The gathering comes on the heels of yet another report ranking…
Sept. 4, 2018 marked the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) by President George W. Bush in response to what has clearly become a human rights crisis in our country. In 2013, a Bureau of Justice Statistics study estimated that roughly 200,000 people were sexually abused in a detention facility in the timespan of one year. Today, the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA)…