Commerce showcasing Washington State business advantages, industrial opportunities at MIPIM World
State representatives meet corporate executives, invetors,politicalleaders from 89 countries in world’s leading real estate and investment trade show
Washington State is a great place to do business – that’s the drumbeat for Department of Commerce representatives as they meet with some of the world’s top corporate executives and investors at MIPIM World 2016, encouraging them to choose Washington for their next manufacturing site or industrial venture.
MIPIM World, taking place March 15-18 in Cannes, France, is the leading event of its kind, attended by more than 21,000 people from 89 countries, including 4,800 investors, 3,600 corporate executives and 370 political leaders.
Washington State joins an elite group of exhibitors including cities Houston and Birmingham, in the USA Economic Development Zone at the show.
“Our economy is one of the strongest, fastest growing in America. Washington State is headquarters for major corporations that have virtually reinvented aviation, retailing, software, information technology, global health and other key industry sectors,” said Brian Bonlender, Washington State Department of Commerce director. “We are sending a representative to this conference to help make it known that opportunities for new manufacturing facilities and activities are plentiful all across our state. Successfully attracting these projects is an important part of our strategy to help strengthen communities and build places where people want to live, work and raise families.”
Washington is the birthplace of business legends such as Amazon, Boeing, Costco, Expedia, Microsoft, PACCAR and Starbucks, with a coveted pool of highly skilled workers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, information technology, life sciences and the marine trades, creating robust research, development and supply chain clusters around their operations.
For example, Boeing’s new 1.3 million-square-foot 777x Composite Wing Center in Everett, and BMW-SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers world-leading carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake have put Washington at the forefront of composite materials.
Washington has prime locations for companies interested in industrial expansions. Companies find additional business benefits such as the lowest hydroelectric industrial power rates in the United States – 20 percent lower than Montana, the next lowest state.
Washington is also known for leadership in clean technology, grid modernization and sustainability. The Bullitt Center in Seattle, one of the world’s greenest office buildings, produced 60 percent more energy than it used in 2014, and uses significantly less water than other buildings. Washington is second in LEED-certified buildings per capita in the nation.
Natural advantages round out Washington State’s top draws for industrial users: mild climate, quality of life and a strategic location on the Pacific Rim. Washington’s logistical infrastructure reliably connects exporters to the Pacific Ocean via 75 public ports, including North America’s third-largest deep water container shipping port with the Seattle-Tacoma Seaport Alliance, plus 139 airports, 3,666 miles of rail and over 7,000 miles of highway.
“We are here to support businesses in any way we can,” said Allison Clark, Washington State Department of Commerce managing director of business development, who already has more than 14 one-on-one meetings scheduled during the event. “This is our first appearance at MIPIM World, and we look forward to introducing many more site selectors and corporate real estate professionals to the incredible business benefits here in Washington State, the best kept secret in North America!”
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