More than 350 growth-oriented small businesses helped during pandemic OLYMPIA, WA – “ScaleUp: The Rebuild Edition,” an education and training partnership between the Washington State Department of Commerce and Thurston Economic Development Council, has scheduled three new eight-week course tracks for small businesses interested in achieving exponential growth as the economy reopens. Each interactive course is two hours long and held once a week for eight weeks. The ideal participant…
Tag Archives: Economic development
As you are likely aware by now, the 2021-23 state biennial budget makes historic investments in Washington’s recovery and growth trajectory coming out of the pandemic. At Commerce, we are preparing for significant work ahead as we implement a $2.7 billion operating budget and $2.4 billion in capital funding. Our team is growing – we’re recruiting exceptional team members, so I invite you to check out and share positions currently…
Washington Maritime Blue receives $600K Industry Challenge Grant from U.S. Economic Development Administration; state partners will match to create $1.2 million investment in state’s blue economy SEATTLE, WA – Washington Maritime Blue, a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate innovation and sustainability in the maritime and ocean industries, has been awarded a $600,000 “Build to Scale” Industry Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in cooperation with the…
Regionalism is one of the top themes framing the work of Commerce’s team this year. Washington state is diverse in many ways, from our economy and environment to our history and culture. Diversity is one of our state’s greatest strengths, and it also poses some big challenges. The unique attributes and aspirations of Washington’s cities, towns and Tribal nations vary greatly, requiring much more than a one-size-fits-all approach to our…
$10.6 million available to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Washington state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for a new grant through the Electrification of Transportation Systems (ETS) program. Potential applicants must be part of Washington state local government, a retail electric utility serving Washington state, or any organization partnering with qualified entities. All modes of transportation qualify, and Commerce is prioritizing…
“Thrive!” program offers expertise to help high-growth businesses with up to $25 million in annual revenues expand OLYMPIA, WA – Expanding on the success of its original economic gardening program, the Washington Department of Commerce has developed Thrive!, a new program to help second-stage companies increase revenues and position for growth. Based on the Edward Lowe Foundation’s System for Integrated Growth (SiG) framework, Thrive! connects chief executive officers to subject…
Keep Washington Working group to research, develop strategies and recommended approaches to ensure state economy continues to benefit from diverse workforce and immigrant-owned businesses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced a 17-member statewide work group formed in response to the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act addressing statewide policy on supporting Washington’s economy and immigrants’ role in the workplace. Members include representatives of geographically diverse immigrant…
Community Development Block Grants will help fund high-priority local projects throughout Washington state OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that 25 rural cities and counties will receive a total of more than $10.5 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 2019. Twenty-seven projects were selected from 41 grant applications requesting over $20 million. The projects awarded funding will improve water and sewer systems, streets, community…
Summertime is perfect for getting out on the road to check in with the many partners who help Commerce fulfill our mission of strengthening communities. I enjoy nothing more than learning directly from individuals and organizations across the state how we are doing and how we can do better at improving the lives of the people we serve. There are too many highlights to talk about in this brief update…
It’s always exciting to gather with leaders from local governments, tribes, Commerce’s associate development organizations (ADOs) and other community partners to share our wins, opportunities and new ideas at the Washington Economic Development Association Summer Conference. In addition to participating in two great days of listening, learning and networking, I also had the opportunity to speak to the group. I shared some positive results from the last season – beginning…