One company’s waste is another’s resource: Innovative projects looking to repurpose industrial waste receive $850K from new state program

One company’s waste is another’s resource: Innovative projects looking to repurpose industrial waste receive $850K from new state program

New Industrial Symbiosis grants support collaborative projects advancing the circular economy OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $850,000 in grants to four projects in support of new and exciting efforts to find beneficial uses for industrial waste. In this first year of the Industrial Symbiosis Program, funded projects range from research and development to on-the-ground implementation. Competitive grants announced today are: Inland Empire Paper Company…

Department of Commerce offers grants to spur industrial site development

Department of Commerce offers grants to spur industrial site development

New industrial site readiness program has $2.5 million available for counties, cities, port districts and tribal governments throughout Washington state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched an Industrial Site Readiness grant program designed to support counties, cities, port districts and tribal governments with plans to develop and revitalize properties for manufacturing or other industrial uses. Eligible public entities throughout the state can apply for grants…

National Development Council, Commerce receive award for Small Business loan program

National Development Council, Commerce receive award for Small Business loan program

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…

Nordic mission Day 4: Maritime innovation takes center stage

Nordic mission Day 4: Maritime innovation takes center stage

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…

Update from the Nordics: Celebrating collaboration with Finland

Update from the Nordics: Celebrating collaboration with Finland

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 Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $4.4 million in five counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $4.4 million in five counties

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…

Nordic Trade Mission: Day 1

Nordic Trade Mission: Day 1

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…

Washington state receives $1.4 million SBA grant to boost small business exports

Washington state receives $1.4 million SBA grant to boost small business exports

More than $562 million in sales attributed to State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a tenth year of funding to help state small businesses grow through exporting. The $1.4 million grant to Washington, part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), is one of the two largest awarded from a total…

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association announces board chair, vice chair; readies final call for projects

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association announces board chair, vice chair; readies final call for projects

Washington Commerce Director Brown, Oregon Energy Director Benner to lead board of public-private organization preparing regional bid for Dept. of Energy clean hydrogen hub Seattle, Wash. — The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) completed its formation with election of Washington Commerce Director Lisa Brown as chair and Oregon Department of Energy Director Janine Benner as vice chair of the board. PNWH2 is a non-profit, public-private partnership leading a regional effort…

Local businesses invited to tap into global growth strategies at Sept. 8 exporting conference featuring expert trade panels

Local businesses invited to tap into global growth strategies at Sept. 8 exporting conference featuring expert trade panels

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (August 23, 2022) – Greater Seattle Partners in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Port of Seattle, and Coupang is hosting a conference offering small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to learn more about growth through exporting with an emphasis on the South Korean market. Small Business Growth and Resiliency Through Export Opportunities in U.S.-Korea Trade is Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT…