Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Commerce provides $79 million in relief to hospitality sector businesses impacted by pandemic

Nearly 1,500 businesses across the state still struggling with pandemic recovery receive grants to cover losses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Authorized by the Washington Legislature in 2022 (ESSB 5693), funding provided through the Washington Hospitality Grant program is assisting businesses across the state with much needed relief right in time…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $4.5 million in three counties

State funds leverage nearly $11 million in private and public resources expected to create and retain 100 high-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $3.375 million in low-interest loans and $1.175 million in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in Thurston, Skagit, and Whitman counties. Thurston County – $1.125 million loan and…

Keeping summer traditions alive: Commerce, ArtsWA award over $3 million to support, restart community festivals and events

Keeping summer traditions alive: Commerce, ArtsWA award over $3 million to support, restart community festivals and events

The shows will go on across the state as 200 organizations in 36 counties receive much-needed pandemic relief grants OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association (WFEA) and ArtsWA, has awarded over $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals that either had to suspend operations or restart due to the pandemic. The qualifying grantees reported a total…

Young people help guide over $40 million in grants to serve homeless youth

Young people help guide over $40 million in grants to serve homeless youth

Office of Homeless Youth sought input from those with lived experience to evaluate competitive proposals for funding from service providers across Washington state OLYMPIA, WA — Nearly 60 young people with lived experience of homelessness from across Washington state gathered recently in SeaTac over three days to help evaluate hundreds of applications for funding through the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) at the Washington Department of Commerce. The more than $40…

Commerce partners with four rural communities to pilot unique twist on industry-led economic development strategy

Commerce partners with four rural communities to pilot unique twist on industry-led economic development strategy

First cohort in new program will test potential for developing innovation clusters to drive growth and jobs in rural Washington  Olympia, WA – Can small rural communities successfully mobilize public-private coalitions in target industries to create innovation clusters that will drive economic growth and jobs for the future? The Washington State Department of Commerce aims to find out with a new version of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP) called…

Kyla Shkerich Blair appointed Chief of Staff for Washington Commerce Director

Kyla Shkerich Blair appointed Chief of Staff for Washington Commerce Director

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…

Washington Broadband Office to host monthly meetings on $1.2 billion federal funding rollout

Washington Broadband Office to host monthly meetings on $1.2 billion federal funding rollout

Stay up to date on Washington’s Internet for All initiative, bringing affordable and reliable internet access to every community Olympia, WA– The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) this week announced state allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Washington received $1.23 billion to bring affordable and reliable Internet for All. These new federal funds pair with ongoing work on the state’s BEAD five-year action plan and a Statewide Digital Equity Plan…

Commerce to make historic investments in affordable housing projects statewide

Commerce to make historic investments in affordable housing projects statewide

Applications open now for over $300 million in capital to develop multifamily rental housing projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce today opened applications for projects seeking capital to develop affordable housing across the state. At more than $302 million, it is the state’s largest single funding round to date. Funds are available to eligible non-profits, local governments, community housing development agencies, tribal governments and housing authorities.…

Twelve announces plans to scale production of sustainable aviation fuel made from CO2 in Washington State

Twelve announces plans to scale production of sustainable aviation fuel made from CO2 in Washington State

Commercial-scale E-Jet fuel production facility in Moses Lake, WA, to supply deals with Shopify, Alaska Airlines, and Microsoft. PARIS AIR SHOW, LE BOURGET, FRANCE; June 19, 2023 — Carbon transformation company Twelve and Washington Governor Jay Inslee today announced plans to scale the production of E-Jet® fuel, Twelve’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from CO2 and renewable energy, with a commercial-scale production facility in Moses Lake, WA. The announcement was…

ZeroAvia announces expansion of electric propulsion R&D facility at Paine Field

ZeroAvia announces expansion of electric propulsion R&D facility at Paine Field

Washington Governor Inslee, ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov announce state support for tech systems development and retrofit center leading up to flight test of world’s largest hydrogen-electric aircraft Paris Air Show, Le Bourget, France — Washington State Governor Jay Inslee today joined ZeroAvia CEO and Founder Val Miftakhov at the Paris Air Show to announce an additional investment by the state to support the company’s expansion at Paine Field in Everett,…