Commerce makes final Right of Way Safety Initiative funding awards to city and nonprofit proposals in latest step toward closing Camp Hope

Commerce makes final Right of Way Safety Initiative funding awards to city and nonprofit proposals in latest step toward closing Camp Hope

New investments bring total to 376 beds for temporary and permanent housing now funded in Spokane. OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce will fund multiple proposals from the final portion of state’s Right of Way Safety Initiative funding available for work to close the homeless encampment on Washington State Department of Transportation property in Spokane, known as Camp Hope. These newest investments of more than $4 million…

State Broadband Office offers $120 million in grants to build “last mile” infrastructure

State Broadband Office offers $120 million in grants to build “last mile” infrastructure

Grants up to $12 million each offered as Washington state pushes toward goal of high-speed internet access for all residents and businesses by 2028 OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Broadband Office is accepting applications now through January 17, 2023 for grants of up to $12 million each for broadband infrastructure construction projects. With $120 million available, the grants target “unserved” areas – defined as areas lacking access to reliable…

Department of Commerce announces $32.5 million in grants from new Small Business Innovation Fund

Department of Commerce announces $32.5 million in grants from new Small Business Innovation Fund

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,…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $11.9 million in six counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests $11.9 million in six counties

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…

Commerce invests $27.3 million to provide safer and healthier environments for children

Commerce invests $27.3 million to provide safer and healthier environments for children

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,…

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association submits concept paper, advances bid for US Dept. Energy Hydrogen Hubs opportunity

Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association submits concept paper, advances bid for US Dept. Energy Hydrogen Hubs opportunity

Powerful public-private partnership encompassing Washington and Oregon forges ahead with development of green hydrogen proposal focused on decarbonizing transportation and heavy industry SEATTLE, WA — The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) – a public-private partnership of tribal, labor, government, environmental and private sector hydrogen company leaders – submitted its 20-page concept paper to the US Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday, outlining the significant breadth and depth of possibilities for…

Commerce receives over $5.2 million to help end youth homelessness in Washington

Commerce receives over $5.2 million to help end youth homelessness in Washington

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding will support innovative housing programs serving youth in rural communities throughout Washington state OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Commerce today reported that work by its Office of Homeless Youth will benefit from a new $5.29 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program will support a wide range…

Commerce invests $17.9 million in eight new behavioral health facility projects

Commerce invests $17.9 million in eight new behavioral health facility projects

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…

New Commerce Report: Time, trust, and technology key to small business success

New Commerce Report: Time, trust, and technology key to small business success

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…

One company’s waste is another’s resource: Innovative projects looking to repurpose industrial waste receive $850K from new state program

One company’s waste is another’s resource: Innovative projects looking to repurpose industrial waste receive $850K from new state program

New Industrial Symbiosis grants support collaborative projects advancing the circular economy OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $850,000 in grants to four projects in support of new and exciting efforts to find beneficial uses for industrial waste. In this first year of the Industrial Symbiosis Program, funded projects range from research and development to on-the-ground implementation. Competitive grants announced today are: Inland Empire Paper Company…