Transportation electrification projects awarded nearly $1 million in Clean Energy Fund grants

Transportation electrification projects awarded nearly $1 million in Clean Energy Fund grants

Hydrogen energy system study, groundbreaking Tribal-county collaborations among five innovative projects selected for funding across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $970,000 in Clean Energy Fund grants to five projects that will support electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state.  Eligible applicants for this first round of current funding through the Electrification of Transportation Systems program were local governments, federally recognized tribal governments,…

Canadian plant-based food producer No Meat Factory to launch operations in Stanwood, WA

Canadian plant-based food producer No Meat Factory to launch operations in Stanwood, WA

$200,000 state grant to Economic Alliance Snohomish County helps jumpstart former Twin City Foods plant update OLYMPIA, WA – The Department of Commerce announced that No Meat Factory (NMF), a Canadian manufacturer of plant-based meat alternative products, will open a new production facility in Stanwood, Washington. The new plant will reopen a facility closed by Twin City Foods in 2017. The new facility will allow NMF to meet growing demand…

State grant application portal opens Mar. 14, 2023 for hospitality and lodging businesses

State grant application portal opens Mar. 14, 2023 for hospitality and lodging businesses

$100 million available to support businesses affected by pandemic; information webinar March 13 OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic. The application portal opens on March 14 at wahospitalitygrants.com. An informational webinar is scheduled for Monday, March 13. To learn more and subscribe to email updates about…

Washington state receives $163.4 million to fund innovative small business loan programs

Washington state receives $163.4 million to fund innovative small business loan programs

Five new programs to be offered through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state has been awarded $163.4 million from the U.S. Treasury Department to operate five capital access programs for small businesses. The new funding will be used to launch an updated version of the state’s highly successful Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, which was completed in 2016. SSBCI leveraged an original $19.7…

Washington state will need more than 1 million homes in next 20 years

Washington state will need more than 1 million homes in next 20 years

More than half of the homes are needed for residents at the lowest income levels OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today released its final housing needs projections, which show the state needs to add 1.1 million homes over the next 20 years, and more than half of them need to be affordable for residents at the lowest income levels. Based on census data and the Office…

Washington state aerospace companies take off for AVALON airshow and exposition in Australia this week

Washington state aerospace companies take off for AVALON airshow and exposition in Australia this week

OLYMPIA, WA – A delegation of Washington state companies and officials are participating in the AVALON Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defense Exposition in Australia, Feb. 28 – Mar. 5. The largest show of its kind in the southern hemisphere, AVALON attracts nearly 700 companies from around the world. The Washington delegation will be one of 161 official industry and government delegations from 30 countries. The six-day show attracts…

State support advances First Mode Proving Grounds for hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered mining trucks at former coal mine in Centralia

State support advances First Mode Proving Grounds for hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered mining trucks at former coal mine in Centralia

$250K grant solidifies development of new facility with potential for long-term local, regional economic impact OLYMPIA, WA — Lewis County could well become a symbol of Washington state’s robust and growing clean energy economy when zero-emission trucks the height of three-story buildings are seen rolling around the First Mode Proving Grounds later this year. First Mode, a global carbon reduction company that developed the world’s first integrated battery and hydrogen…

Latest round of $70 million in state pandemic relief assists 3,787 small businesses

Latest round of $70 million in state pandemic relief assists 3,787 small businesses

Grants provide relief to businesses in all 39 Washington counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), has distributed $70 million in grants to 3,787 for-profit and nonprofit small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Funding provided through the Working Washington Grants: Round 5 and Convention Center Grant program is assisting businesses in all 39 Washington counties, including $42 million…

Commerce Director Lisa Brown to step down

Commerce Director Lisa Brown to step down

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown announced today she will be stepping down, effective March 3.  Appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee, Brown began serving the agency in February 2019. “Commerce has undergone enormous change in the last few years, and Lisa has been an exceptional leader throughout it all,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “During COVID-19, Lisa deftly guided the agency to pivot quickly to administering unprecedented levels of…

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Rural communities are focus of investments in nine new projects statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $9 million grant last week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will provide new housing for people experiencing homelessness in Island, Klickitat, Mason, Skamania, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Funds will be used over the next three years for a variety of…