Focus on equity runs throughout significant funding increases serving range of priorities from housing to clean energy, broadband expansion and helping secure federal funding OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee’s supplemental budget released today proposes a $1.2 billion increase for the Department of Commerce, including $415 million in operating funds and $775 million in new capital dollars. The proposed budget funds all of the agency’s upcoming legislative requests. Commerce is…
Tag Archives: Washington State Department of Commerce
Two Commerce alums rejoin agency to lead state economic development for key industry sectors OLYMPIA, WA — Washington Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong welcomes back two former agency executives to lead key industry sector economic development: Julie Anderson rejoined the department in November as Agricultural Innovation Sector Lead, and Dr. Joseph Williams came back on board this month as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector Lead. Both are based…
2023 Washington State Fuel Action Plan describes supply chain hazards, actions to take in event of disruption OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Office (EREMO) at the Department of Commerce recently published the 2023 State Fuel Action Plan. Authorized in Washington State statute and through related Presidential directives and federal law, the plan describes the fuel supply chain, hazards to fuel infrastructure, and tactics available to…
Washington Energy Resilience and Emergency Management Director and Commission member King briefs state Congressional delegation on comprehensive report stressing urgency, collaboration, investing in resilience and more OLYMPIA, WA — The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recently released its report PDF outlining a comprehensive, consensus-based set of recommendations to Congress to address the nation’s wildfire crisis. “The recent disaster on Maui is a tragic reminder of the growing risks of wildfires to communities and…
Grants will support adoption of local actions that aim to accommodate projected housing needs at all income levels through different types of units, providing more affordable housing options OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Commerce today announced nearly $3 million for 54 cities across 16 Washington counties to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes to allow more middle housing in residential neighborhoods. Increasing the availability…
Grants will fund acquisition and renovation of crisis stabilization facilities in Lewis and Pierce counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $4.3 million in grants to two crisis triage and stabilization projects – one in Lewis County and one in Pierce County. Providers at these facilities assist people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, or who are in need of withdrawal management services, and…
Grants and low-interest loans available for broadband construction projects OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Public Works Board today opened applications for broadband funding, offering $15.8 million in grants and low-interest loans for broadband construction projects. Projects in distressed counties are eligible for 30% grant and 70% loan funding, until funds are exhausted. Local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, cooperative associations, multiparty entities, limited liability corporations (LLC), and incorporated businesses or…
Annual awards recognize excellence, creativity, collaboration in land use planning and development OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the 11 winners of the 2023 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Presented annually since 2006, the Smart Communities Awards program recognizes local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development. The awards showcase effective implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The honored…
Funding will lower energy use, reduce emissions, promote energy efficiency in communities OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, a funding opportunity from the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The state plans to use this funding to lower energy use, reduce emissions, and promote…
Led by Gonzaga University, AAMMC Tech Hub brings together some 50 public and private partners primed for innovation and job creation in development and manufacturing of composite materials for the future of lightweight, sustainable aircraft. OLYMPIA, WA — The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center located in Spokane, WA today was designated as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the nation by the Biden-Harris administration through the U.S. Department of…