Washington state aerospace companies take off for AVALON airshow and exposition in Australia this week

Washington state aerospace companies take off for AVALON airshow and exposition in Australia this week

OLYMPIA, WA – A delegation of Washington state companies and officials are participating in the AVALON Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defense Exposition in Australia, Feb. 28 – Mar. 5. The largest show of its kind in the southern hemisphere, AVALON attracts nearly 700 companies from around the world. The Washington delegation will be one of 161 official industry and government delegations from 30 countries. The six-day show attracts…

State support advances First Mode Proving Grounds for hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered mining trucks at former coal mine in Centralia

State support advances First Mode Proving Grounds for hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered mining trucks at former coal mine in Centralia

$250K grant solidifies development of new facility with potential for long-term local, regional economic impact OLYMPIA, WA — Lewis County could well become a symbol of Washington state’s robust and growing clean energy economy when zero-emission trucks the height of three-story buildings are seen rolling around the First Mode Proving Grounds later this year. First Mode, a global carbon reduction company that developed the world’s first integrated battery and hydrogen…

Latest round of $70 million in state pandemic relief assists 3,787 small businesses

Latest round of $70 million in state pandemic relief assists 3,787 small businesses

Grants provide relief to businesses in all 39 Washington counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), has distributed $70 million in grants to 3,787 for-profit and nonprofit small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Funding provided through the Working Washington Grants: Round 5 and Convention Center Grant program is assisting businesses in all 39 Washington counties, including $42 million…

Commerce Director Lisa Brown to step down

Commerce Director Lisa Brown to step down

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown announced today she will be stepping down, effective March 3.  Appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee, Brown began serving the agency in February 2019. “Commerce has undergone enormous change in the last few years, and Lisa has been an exceptional leader throughout it all,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “During COVID-19, Lisa deftly guided the agency to pivot quickly to administering unprecedented levels of…

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness in Washington will share $9-million federal grant

Rural communities are focus of investments in nine new projects statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $9 million grant last week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will provide new housing for people experiencing homelessness in Island, Klickitat, Mason, Skamania, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Funds will be used over the next three years for a variety of…

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in four counties

Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests more than $10 million in four counties

State funds will leverage nearly $664 million in private and local investments in projects expected to create 242 family-wage jobs. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) today approved $10 million in low interest loans and $75,000 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements intended to spur business growth and job creation in communities throughout the state. Among the supported projects is a new…

State survey: Most people say housing is #1 issue

State survey: Most people say housing is #1 issue

Housing costs/rents, homelessness and overall cost of living top list of most important problems facing Washington state in new survey by Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council OLYMPIA, WA — Housing and homelessness topped a list of 12 issues in a new survey that asked Washington state residents to rank their top two problems facing the state. The Department of Commerce partnered with the Puget Sound Regional Council…

Commerce invests $2.5 million to accelerate development of six rural industrial sites

Commerce invests $2.5 million to accelerate development of six rural industrial sites

State grants aim to attract, expand manufacturing activity and jobs in communities across the state OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce recently awarded $2.5 million in grants to six projects that will expand the state’s portfolio of project-ready industrial sites and incentivize private investment. With help from this state funding, publicly owned sites become more competitive for business attraction nationally and globally. These one-time grants support engineering…

$20.4 million in state grants will expand behavioral health care access for people in crisis

$20.4 million in state grants will expand behavioral health care access for people in crisis

Commerce awards capital funding for acquisition, renovation and new construction of crisis stabilization facilities in Benton, King, Skagit and Whatcom counties OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced another $20.4 million investment in community-based facilities serving people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, or who are in need of withdrawal management services to help them restore and stabilize their health. Five crisis triage and stabilization…

Janel McFeat named Executive Director of Washington Statewide Reentry Council

Janel McFeat named Executive Director of Washington Statewide Reentry Council

OLYMPIA, WA — Human rights champion Janel McFeat will lead Washington’s Statewide Reentry Council beginning January 3. McFeat started her social work career in Tacoma and currently serves as a strategic planner/program manager for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, where she created a nationally-recognized reentry program using evidence-based practices and a people-first human dignity model. She is a White House Champion for Change nominee and recipient of the Linda Gabriel…