Washington state residents currently participating in the federal Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may apply for special crisis benefits OLYMPIA, WA — The Department of Commerce last week provided up to $1,000 in rental assistance and up to $500 in energy assistance for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The crisis funding will be distributed through Commerce’s statewide network of community action…
Tag Archives: Strengthening communities
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…
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…
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…
Grants strengthen bold initiatives serving vulnerable young people in local communities across the state, including 23 rural counties OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Homeless Youth has awarded $11 million to enable communities across the state to respond to more young people in need of stable housing and support. The grants boost services and resources in 30 counties, 23 of which are rural. Funding was…
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…
Next in a series of public open houses for project to study redevelopment of Washington National Guard Armory site in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Department of Commerce Interbay Public Development Advisory Committee will hold another in a series of community open houses from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15 at the Ballard VFW Hall, 2812 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107. The open house…
Grants and loans fund work on 23 multifamily rental properties and shelter projects statewide OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $9.9 million in grants and loans from the state’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF) for 23 housing preservation projects in communities throughout Washington. See the complete list. The funds will preserve 1,179 multifamily rental and shelter units, 790 of which will be occupied by households earning…
This project represents new technology and an approach that offers grid resiliency and renewable energy integration. The project will include a 500-kilowatt solar array with smart inverters, a 1,000 kW/1,000 kWh lithium-ion battery storage system and several vehicle-to-grid charging stations for use with the PUD’s electric fleet vehicles. Grants from the Washington Clean Energy Fund Grid Modernization Program helped deliver the energy storage elements that enable these and other exciting…