Washington State Broadband Office awards $14.5 million to provide one-on-one technical support, devices, and subscriptions to facilitate internet use and adoption OLYMPIA, WA — Most of us take the internet for granted, yet nearly 240,000 Washington households do not have access to high-speed internet, and 4% do not have access to a computing device. This week the Washington State Department of Commerce announced $14.5 million in grants to continue expanding…
Tag Archives: Strengthening communities
Commerce Director Mike Fong names former Patty Murray aide to agency executive leadership post OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong today announced Kyla Shkerich Blair will join the agency as Chief of Staff. Shkerich Blair has over a decade of experience serving in city, state and federal government roles, where she spent much of her time listening and engaging with communities across the state. Prior…
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…
Funding will support at least 22 projects across Washington state focused on increasing programs and services to help meet the needs of underserved communities, businesses, entrepreneurs OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced 22 projects conditionally awarded Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grants ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The total $32.5 million awarded will fund a variety of activities, including: small business incubators and accelerators,…
State funds will leverage nearly $130 million in private, local and other state resources and are expected to create more than 125 family wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) yesterday approved $8.75 million in low interest loans and $3.2 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur broadband deployment, business growth and job creation in communities throughout the…
Grants will fund minor renovation requests to help keep 253 child care facilities safe and operational OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), announced $27.3 million in grants to 253 child care providers across the state. The grants provide financial assistance to allow providers to complete renovations such as roof repairs, COVID-19 safety measures, playground equipment upgrades,…
Grants will fund the acquisition, renovation, and new construction of facilities in five counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $17.9 million in grants to fund eight projects across the state that will increase services and community-based treatment options for individuals with a wide variety of behavioral health challenges. The investments support Gov. Inslee’s five-year plan to modernize and transform Washington’s mental health system, with…
OLYMPIA, WA – Time, trust and technology are key to ensuring small businesses farthest from opportunity in Washington state have the right mix of technical assistance and financial resources to thrive. A groundbreaking report by the Washington State Department of Commerce found that although technical assistance providers do offer the right mix of resources, minority or women business owners and those located in rural areas often do not have access…
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…
OLYMPIA, WA —Eight Washington cities have been named Smart Communities Award winners for 2022. Launched in 2006, the Governor’s Smart Communities Awards program annually recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional work in implementing the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) to shape future growth, economic vitality and quality of life in communities across Washington. Award winners can serve as models for other communities on solutions to issues of statewide…