State Public Works Board approves $85 million in infrastructure loans

State Public Works Board approves $85 million in infrastructure loans

Funding enables pre-construction and construction work on 30 projects across the state OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board has awarded over $85 million in loans for pre-construction and construction activities for 30 projects across the state. Applicants had requested more than $248 million for 74 different projects, and the board approved qualifying projects from a rated and ranked list until all available funds were exhausted. Reflecting on…

First impressions, crucial conversations

By Lisa Brown, Director It’s hard to believe that a month has passed since I accepted Gov. Inslee’s appointment to lead the Department of Commerce. I knew this was going to be an exciting opportunity for me to apply my experience in government, health science and economics to advance the agency’s mission of strengthening communities all over the state. If these first weeks are any indication, I’m in for a…

Commerce names new leads for economic development strategies in key aerospace and life science industry sectors

Commerce names new leads for economic development strategies in key aerospace and life science industry sectors

Robin Toth, former vice president at Greater Spokane, Inc., will head the state’s public-private collaborative efforts to grow aerospace in Washington; Julia Terlinchamp leaves Gov. Inslee staff to lead life sciences/global health sector development. OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced today that Robin Toth and Julia Terlinchamp are the newest members of the state’s team leading strategic economic development in eight key industry sectors. Based in Commerce,…

Washington Leads Nation in State GDP Growth; Unemployment at Lowest Level Since 2007

Washington Leads Nation in State GDP Growth; Unemployment at Lowest Level Since 2007

Once again, Washington posted top GDP numbers of all U.S. states:  3.6% for the first quarter of 2018 against 1.8% nationwide. This comes after our leading annual GDP growth in both 2016 and 2017. A soaring information communication tech (ICT) sector contributed more than half of our overall growth at 1.9 percentage points. Washington’s tech industry is still hiring as fast as companies can find qualified workers, according to Dr.…

UPDATE: Trade Wars and Tariffs

UPDATE: Trade Wars and Tariffs

In recent weeks, trade policies, tariffs and retaliatory actions are in the news almost daily. Washington state’s economy is more focused on international trade than any other U.S. state – nearly 40 percent of jobs here are tied to trade. That has drawn the attention of local, national and international media seeking to understand what the Trump Administration’s policies and actions mean for American businesses and workers. The latest round…

Snohomish County’s significant aerospace assets showcased for Governor’s Choose Washington NMA Council

Snohomish County’s significant aerospace assets showcased for Governor’s Choose Washington NMA Council

Nearly half of Washington State’s world-leading aerospace workforce is in Snohomish County, where suppliers support Airbus, Bombardier, Comac, Embraer, Mitsubishi and Sukhoi in addition to Boeing. EVERETT, WA – Leaders in the effort to win design, production and final assembly of Boeing’s potential new middle-of-the-market airplane (NMA) met in Snohomish County today, where Paine Field’s Aerospace Training Complex brings together Everett and Edmonds Community Colleges, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee…

Gov. Inslee approves Opportunity Zones in communities across Washington

Gov. Inslee approves Opportunity Zones in communities across Washington

Special designation provides federal tax incentives for development in low-income areas OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee today approved 139 census tracts in 36 counties for “Opportunity Zone” status, enabling them to offer special federal tax breaks to encourage development and job creation. See a map and list of Washington’s newly designated Opportunity Zones. “Opportunity Zones have the potential to provide a much-needed boost to communities and target development projects,…

Wenatchee awarded nearly $1 million in state funding for McKittrick Street extension project

Wenatchee awarded nearly $1 million in state funding for McKittrick Street extension project

Community Economic Revitalization Board grant and loan will support $2.4 million private partner investment, create estimated 90 jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $973,185 in public infrastructure development funding targeting business growth and job creation in the Wenatchee, Chelan County. A $859,409 loan and a $113,776 grant to the city of Wenatchee is for the McKittrick Street Extension Project, State funding is…