When Congress passed and President Obama signed the Stephen Beck Jr. ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act in 2014, people with eligible disabilities could finally save for their everyday needs, invest in a tax-free account, and prepare for the future without losing their state or federal benefits. Last month, after years of hard work with advocates and stakeholders across the state, Commerce hosted a celebration of the new Washington…
Tag Archives: Strengthening communities
Pre-construction loans will help 10 Washington communities pursue needed public infrastructure work OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board today awarded $5,430,540 in pre-construction loans to 10 cities, counties and water districts throughout the state. This is just the second time in five years the Board has had funding available to issue these low-interest loans for vital public infrastructure improvements to roads, water, sanitary sewer and street systems.…
Low-interest loan and four grants target public infrastructure and job creation in Clallam, Douglas, Island, and Pend Oreille counties.
MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design to develop Washington State Guidebook for Military and Community Compatibility Olympia, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced today that independent consulting firm MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design, LLP will develop a Washington State Guidebook for Military and Community Compatibility. MAKERS, which has offices in Seattle and San Diego, Calif., will help Commerce develop written guidance and technical assistance tools for communities across…
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,…
$6 million in pre-construction loans awarded to 12 Washington communities OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Public Works Board approved 12 cities and counties for approximately $6 million in pre-construction loans for 2018. This is the first time in five years the board has had funding from the state Legislature to issue loans. The Board selected 12 out of 15 projects from applications requesting over $7.5 million. These projects will…
The Office of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds has launched a new website at www.ddombuds.org where visitors can learn what the office is doing, submit complaints and access other resources for people with disabilities.
The Washington State Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA), has selected GreenRubino as the agency of record to develop and produce a new tourism marketing plan for the state.
Pend Oreille County, Spokane County, Spokane Valley and Walla Walla awarded funds for environmental analysis to support economic development at proposed manufacturing sites. Olympia, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $485,000 in advanced planning grants to aid four proposed manufacturing projects in eastern Washington. The grants will help Pend Oreille County, Spokane County, the city of Spokane Valley and Walla Walla County move forward with environmental…
New program recognizes housing stability is key to student success OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Commerce has awarded $1 million under the state’s Homeless Student Stability Act to expand programs in school districts that will help identify and rapidly connect homeless students and their families with housing services and agencies in their community. The number of homeless school children in Washington State has increased by 82 percent in the…