CERB provides limited grant funding for studies to evaluate high-priority economic development projects, and rural broadband projects. When considering planning grants, the Board gives priority to projects that could result in a type of project eligible for CERB construction funds.
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Ongoing – CERB Committed Private Partner Program
Loans and grants for construction of public infrastructure necessary for private business expansion. The Committed Private Partner (CPP) Program requires a private business commitment as part of the application
Ongoing – CERB Prospective Development Program
Local governments and federally-recognized Indian tribes in rural counties and rural communities may apply for the Prospective Development (PD) program if an economic feasibility study has been conducted and demonstrates that private business development is likely to occur as a result of the public improvements.
Commerce awards $1 million to support small businesses in life sciences and health IT
Washington Research Foundation awarded $800K to establish new Life Sciences Revolving Loan Fund; Greater Spokane Inc. and Life Science Washington Institute each receive $100K for additional programs
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $1 million in grants to The Washington Research Foundation, Greater Spokane Incorporated and Life Science Washington Institute to support small business development programs in the life sciences and health IT sector.
The Washington Research Foundation was awarded $800,000 to establish a new Life Science Revolving Loan Fund (LSRLF) that will help early-stage Washington-based companies succeed and compete for growth capital.
Washington entrepreneurs face a highly competitive landscape and great financial risk as they develop their businesses. Companies that qualify for LSRLF funds will be positioned to achieve a significant milestone, such as proof of concept, in vitro testing, product development or market testing. Successful milestone progress is expected to position the company to secure further funding and greater stability. If and when the business generates enough revenue, money paid back to the fund is reinvested to help other small Washington state businesses in the future. Initially, the Life Science Revolving Loan Fund is a pilot program.
Washington’s life science industry is highly competitive, with Seattle recently ranked the #1 emerging life science hub in the country by CBRE Group with employment growth just under 18% from 2014-17. Life Science Washington reported 13% job growth in the overall state’s industry in the same period. This new funding will help entrepreneurs leverage work at the state’s two top medical schools at the University of Washington and Washington State University to bring innovative new products and services to market.
“Nurturing innovators in the formative stages is critical for the long-term vitality of our life science and global health sector, estimated to be the fifth-largest industry sector in Washington,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “The economic impact from hundreds of biopharma and medical device companies, dozens of non-profit organizations and research institutions strengthens communities all over the state.”
Ron Howell, CEO of Washington Research Foundation (WRF), said, “The revolving loan fund is a great opportunity for WRF to partner with the state. We are closely aligned with investing in Washington-based life-sciences startups. In addition to the obvious benefits of job creation to the local economy, these startups are often the most effective way to get much-needed products and services into the hands of the public.”
In addition to the revolving loan fund, Commerce awarded Greater Spokane Inc. and Life Science Washington Institute (LSWI) $100,000 grants for two other important small business support programs.
LWSI’s proposal seeks to promote business development and fundraising efforts and support its successful Small Business Innovation Research and Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) assistance programs through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Closely aligned with Life Science Washington, the institute’s Startup Assistance Consulting Program is frequently the first contact that entrepreneurs and small businesses have with the industry association. As they reach the appropriate stage of development and have clarity as to how they might best use a loan, entrepreneurs will be directed to the new revolving loan fund for consideration.
“Washington’s life science cluster is built on innovative, locally grown companies. Translating medical research into an FDA-approved drug or medical device is a long, complicated, and risky process that requires the right team, patient capital, and strong clinical partnerships to succeed,” said Dr. Leslie Alexandre, interim executive director, Life Science Washington Institute.
She added, “Life Science Washington Institute’s mission is to support these emerging companies and their entrepreneurial leaders across Washington state via educational, economic and other resources crucial for their success. Our new funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce will allow us to help life science innovators throughout the state obtain the support they need to transform ideas into new, life-saving products and therapies.”
GSI will use the funds to support its VISION 2030 initiative, a community effort to create a health care and life sciences hub in the Spokane region. Strategies include a plan to identify small business candidates with growth potential not only in Spokane, but also surrounding rural areas. The funds will also support Startup Spokane, a resource hub for entrepreneurs and startup businesses throughout the Intermountain Northwest.
“GSI is very excited about the Department of Commerce award. Our region’s local and rural health IT and life science small businesses are one of our largest untapped opportunities for industry growth. This funding will allow us to grow and extend our support services to this economically impactful group,” said Stacia Rasmussen, Life Sciences Spokane (VISION 2030) business development manager.
Opportunity to learn more about Commerce’s alternative vehicle fuels and transportation electrification programs
Washington State Department of Commerce Energy Policy Specialist Michael Breish will hold a public stakeholder meeting in the Tri-Cities to discuss the department’s alternative vehicle fuels and transportation electrification programs.
The event will be held May 31 from 9 a.m. – noon at Energy Northwest’s Multi-Purpose Facility Auditorium, 3000 George Washington Way, Richland.
Breish will be providing background on Commerce, the new local government fleet mandate, a summary of 2019 legislation, stakeholder groups, available financing and Commerce’s Electrification of Transportation Systems program.
Stakeholders include community groups, state and local government agencies, ports, tourism, utilities and the public. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited to 140 people.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Harper jlharper@energy-northwest.com.
State invests $6 million in rural broadband, clean energy infrastructure in six counties
Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board approves low-interest loans and grants to support community and economic development in Clallam, Kitsap, Mason, Whatcom and Yakima counties.
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) approved $3.2 million in low-interest loans and $2.67 million in grants for public infrastructure projects targeting rural broadband, business growth and job creation for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Public Utility District No. 1 of Kitsap County, Mason County Public Utility District No. 3 and the ports of Bellingham and Sunnyside.
Four of the projects were awarded funding under the state’s first Rural Broadband program, established with $4.6 million in the 2017-19 capital budget to increase access to education, business, telemedicine and other community and economic development opportunities that rely on high-speed broadband connectivity.
- Clallam County – $225,000 loan and $225,000 grant to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for the Jamestown Cell Tower Project, consisting of site prep, fiber build and construction of a carrier-ready tower that can support several 4G carriers and a wireless broadband ISP to provide services to residents, businesses, tribal government, administration and tribal businesses, as well as public safety entities. An estimated 214 connections in the project area will have increased internet speed up to 25/5 Mbps, and increase the number of ISPs available to three. CERB funds are matched by $150,000 in local resources.
- Kitsap County – $500,000 loan and $500,000 grant to Public Utility District No. 1 of Kitsap County for engineering, permitting, construction and material procurement for the Last Mile Broadband Big Valley Project. When completed, provides an estimated 158 connections with increased internet speed up to 1G/1G, and increases the number of ISPs available to six. CERB funds are matched by $420,000 in local resources.
- Mason County – $1 million loan and $1 million grant to Mason County Public Utility District No. 3 for the Mason County Rural Broadband Fiber Expansion Phase 2 Project. This project includes construction of open-access, ready-to-connect fiber networks to six unserved rural communities in Mason County, allowing access for improved education, economic development, public safety, and telehealth services for Panther Lake, Tiger Lake, Mission Lake, Dana Drive and Briscoe Point, Phillips Road, Totten Shores and surrounding areas. An estimated 675 connections in the project area will have internet speed up to 1G/1G, through six ISPs. CERB funds are matched by $689,260 in local resources.
- Whatcom County – $584,391 loan and $584,390 grant to the Port of Bellinghamfor the Whatcom County Rural Broadband Construction Project. This project consists of engineering and construction of a 40.6-mile open access dark fiber route, serving Cedarville and Cedarville East with an estimated 400 connections with increased internet speed up to 50/10 Mbps, and 351 connections with up to 100/20 Mbps. The area will have six ISPs available when the project is completed. CERB funds are matched by $869,415 in local resources.
- Yakima County – a $975,000 loan and $325,000 grant from the CERB program “Committed Private Partners” to the Port of Sunnyside will prepare for a multi-million-dollar construction project at Ostrom’s Mushroom Farms. CERB funding to the port supports design, procurement and construction of a gas purification system, underground gas and electrical conveyance lines to Ostrom’s Mushroom Farms and a new genset unit with enclosure and waste heat recovery unit. Ostrom’s is investing $45 million in the project, which is expected to create 156 jobs and retain 270 jobs within five years. CERB funds are matched by $1.2 million in local resources.
“CERB projects represent an important partnership between the state and local communities resulting in enhanced economic vitality. The projects approved for funding represent the economic, cultural, and geographic diversity of our state. The board is pleased to collaborate with each of these communities to create permanent private sector jobs,” said CERB Chair Randy Hayden
“Broadband infrastructure is essential to improving connectivity throughout the state. These investments in rural broadband and the board’s support for private investment commitments, such as this one in Sunnyside, strengthen rural communities by enabling equal opportunities to take advantage of Washington’s overall robust economic growth,” said Lisa Brown, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The release of CERB funds to these projects are contingent upon each applicant completing specific pre-contract requirements, such as finalizing other funding sources and obtaining necessary permits.
Since 1982, CERB has committed nearly $176 million to local jurisdictions across the state, an investment generating more than 35,500 jobs, and private capital investment of a $5.7 billion ($36 to $1) return on CERB investment.
As Washington’s strategic economic development resource, CERB is focused on creating private sector jobs in partnership with local governments by financing infrastructure improvements. These improvements encourage new business development and expansion. In addition to funding construction projects, CERB provides limited funding for studies that evaluate high-priority economic development projects.
Learn more about CERB at www.commerce.wa.gov/cerb.
Contact:
Janea Delk, CERB Program Director and Tribal Liaison (360) 725-3151, janea.delk@commerce.wa.gov
Local Contacts:
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe: Debbie Madden, Accounts Manager, (360) 582-5796, dmadden@jamestowntribe.org
Public Utility District No. 1 of Kitsap County: Angela Bennink, Telecom Business Manager, (360) 626-7760, angela@kpud.org
Mason County Public Utility District No. 3: Justin Holzgrove, Telecommunications & Community Relations Manager, (360) 432-5323, justinh@masonpud3.org
Port of Bellingham: Gina Stark, Economic Development Project Manager, (360) 715-5117, ginas@portofbellingham.com
Port of Sunnyside: Jay Hester, Executive Director, (509) 839-7678, jay@portofsunnyside.com
Washington, Innovation Norway open summit with agreement to promote economic cooperation, trade relations between state and Norway
Maritime, environmental, fisheries and other technologies emphasized in memorandum of understanding between state and Norway’s national economic development agency
SEATTLE, Wash. – Following remarks by Ambassador of Norway to the U.S. Hon. Kare Aas, and Washington Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib at today’s Nordic Innovation Summit, officials formalized an agreement to promote economic cooperation and develop trade relations between Washington and Norway’s ocean industries and complementing ecosystems.
Chris Green, director of the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the Washington State Department of Commerce, and Gro Eirin Dyrnes, regional director of innovation Norway, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) encompassing maritime, environmental, fisheries and other technology.
“We both place emphasis on fostering an environment of innovation as a key driver for economic growth, and recognize and value the potential benefits of collaboration,” Dyrnes said.
Citing demonstrated global leadership and shared economic and environmental goals by Norway and Washington state, the MOU stipulates areas of cooperation in maritime technology innovation and the Blue Economy, including:
- Decarbonization of vessels, such as hybrid, full electric and alternative fueled vessels and association infrastructure;
- Ocean technology innovation, including support for development and expansion of offshore marine renewable energy, sub-sea sensors, gliders and robotics;
- Modernization of fishing and seafood by engaging sustainable fishing companies, equipment suppliers, processing technology developers and sustainable aquaculture for business, knowledge sharing and tech transfer, and
- Maritime digitization, sharing market opportunities for growth in data analytics, internet-of-things (IoT), blockchain and other technology for smart ports and sustainable shipping.
A second area of cooperation in clean technology calls for creating business development opportunities in clean transportation, power generation, grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, high performance buildings and others.
“We are honored to enhance our relationship with Innovation Norway as we work together to address one of the world’s great challenges and opportunities – developing a sustainable ocean economy. Merging our significant strengths in technological innovation with our working waterfronts, we are well-positioned to accelerate solutions for adapting and mitigating the impact of climate change while creating jobs that strengthen communities for generations to come,” said Commerce Director Dr. Lisa Brown.
“Washington shares with Norway a deep and abiding commitment to model environmental performance and best practices for sustainable maritime worldwide. This agreement enhances an incredibly innovative, productive partnership, and furthers our Maritime Blue strategy for growing economies, healthy ecosystems and resilient communities,” said Chris Green, assistant director of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness.
“Innovation Norway sees tremendous potential in Washington state to scale Norwegian businesses that serve to address the triple bottom line – business, environmental, and social – while helping to solve concrete challenges that the state and its industries face in reducing their CO2 emissions. At the same time, Norway is open for business and collaboration is welcome from Washington-based businesses that wish to leverage their know-how and talent to our first-mover market that can serve as a test bed for innovations. One concrete area for collaboration and co-development is clearly in ocean-based industries where we have a lot to learn from each other and can together work toward greening the blue economy,” said Gro Eirin Dyrnes, regional director Americas of Innovation Norway.
Håkon Haugli, the CEO of Innovation Norway, supports the memorandum by saying that “Norway has always had a strong connection to Washington state, dating back to the first Norwegians settlers in the 1880s to ever-closer business ties in this century. This MOU builds on that heritage and shared values toward pioneering sustainable solutions to the biggest environmental challenges of our day. Norway knows that we cannot solve these challenges alone, and it is only through collaboration with like-minded actors that we will meet our ambitious sustainability goals under the Paris Agreement. Innovation Norway is proud to share a leadership role with Washington state to share best practices on implementing climate solutions that will equally ensure economic impact through mutually beneficial investment and trade opportunities.”
The MOU signing ceremony was part of Nordic Innovation Summit 2019, a full day of presentations, panel discussions, TED-style “lightning talks” and other activities at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard. Innovation Norway, owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, and county authorities through the collaboration known as Nordic Innovation House, is a partnering sponsor in the summit.
Earlier this week, the Washington Maritime Blue innovation cluster organization convened “Blue Forum: Uptown Tech Meets the Working Waterfront,” along with partners DNV-GL and Impact Washington. The event brought together stakeholders, thought leaders and others from Washington’s powerful information and communications technology industry to focus on opportunities across the maritime industry.
Washington Maritime Blue is the strategic alliance that emerged from the state’s groundbreaking vision for achieving a world-class, thriving and sustainable Washington Maritime Industry by 2050, championed by Gov. Jay Inslee. DNV-GL and Impact Washington support operations and management of the cluster. Learn more at www.maritimeblue.org.
Contacts:
Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, 206-256-6106
Commerce leads tech trade mission to Japan next week
Artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality dominate Washington state technology delegation exploring investment, partnership opportunities in Tokyo and Osaka
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Commerce will lead a delegation of nine companies on a state trade mission May 20-24 to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Opportunities in the growing artificial intelligence (AI) space is the primary focus for the four days of corporate site visits, briefings, pitch sessions and business development meetings organized by Commerce partners Innovation Finders Capital.
“Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming every sector of the economy, and our region’s technology cluster is rapidly becoming a major U.S. hub for AI,” said Dr. Lisa Brown, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce. “Opportunities in everything from autonomous vehicles to health care promise to change lives and create jobs, strengthening communities throughout Washington, thanks to the cutting-edge technologies emerging here.”
In Tokyo, the group will be hosted by Fujitsu, Orrick Tokyo, DNP (Dai Nippon Printing), Deloitte Tohmatsu, NTT Holdings and meet with top executives. DNP opened an office in Seattle this month.
The latter half of the trip is to Kansai region at the invitation of the Osaka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), which brought a similar Japanese delegation to Seattle in November 2018. Minoru Furukawa, vice chairman of OCCI, will address the delegation. Other honored guest speakers include American Consul General Karen Kelley and Susumu Saito, executive director of the Osaka Business Development Agency.
During the course of the mission, about 200 representatives of other major Japanese companies are expected to participate, including Daiwa House, Kaneka, Hitachi, Toshiba, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi Electric, Obayashi Corp. and many others.
Members of the Washington delegation are:
- DataMesh, data science and mixed reality solutions for enterprises
- Dimensional Mechanics, creator of NeoPulse® platform for experts and non-experts to create custom AI models for cloud, on-premise and IoT.
- Energsoft, data analysis software for batteries and energy storage.
- Gravity Jack, mobile AR and VR software for the leading smart phone and tablet operating systems.
- Jethro, phone plans for international travelers.
- Native English Institute, cloud-based service prepares employees of global corporations to use English effectively
- Solutions Resource, customized, user-centered software design and development.
- Vtrus, autonomous drones for indoor industrial inspections.
- Sensoria Health, proprietary sensor-infused smart garments.
“Japan is a leader in a lot of areas where we at Gravity Jack have substantial intersection in machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision and augmented reality. Ultimately, our computer vision technology applies to robotics and the future way we compute. We are excited to work with Japanese companies in the hopes of seeing executions come to life,” said Jennifer Richey, chief strategy officer at Gravity Jack, which is joining its first state trade mission.
Washington AI at a Glance
- Seattle is the second largest AI talent market in the USA, behind only the Bay Area.
- The nation’s national laboratory for Cognitive Informatics is housed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories in Seattle.
- Microsoft and the Allen Institute have created research centers for the ethics of AI.
- The AI community in Washington crosses all industrial sectors, from maritime to agriculture to aerospace to automotive to manufacturing. This cross-industry collaboration is a hallmark of our regional identity, for example: Amazon Alexa and Microsoft Cortana have agreed to work together on improving natural language processing AI.
- The University of Washington was #1 in the USA in 2017 for the most technology transfer licenses.
To learn more about all of Washington’s key industry sectors and doing business in Washington, visit www.choosewashingtonstate.com .
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Commerce conducting application training for communities in need of affordable housing in May and June
Commerce will be conducting six application workshops in May and June.
The workshops include funding and compliance topics that will cover:
- The Washington State Housing Trust Fund
- The National Housing Trust Fund
- HOME Programs
- The Housing Preservation Program
- Compliance – How to stay in compliance with these funding sources
- **NEW** – Foundational Community Supports
- Question and answer segments for all topics
Please RSVP for one of the six workshop days by registering through Eventbrite.
Workshop Dates and Locations:
May 13 | Olympia
May 14 | Spokane
May 20 | Seattle
May 21 | Everett
June 3 | Yakima
June 6 | Vancouver
Please view the workshops flyer here, which includes dates, locations, parking information and a proposed agenda.
For those who are unable to attend a workshop, the slideshow presentation will be posted on the Housing Trust Fund webpage at the conclusion of the workshops.
Workshop attendance is not a requirement to apply for funding. However, participation in a workshop will improve an applicant’s understanding and ability to submit a competitive application.
For more information about Housing Trust Fund programs, please visit our website. https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/housing/housing-trust-fund/
Questions or accommodations needed? Contact Jennifer Lane at Jennifer.Lane@commerce.wa.gov, or call (360) 725-2972.
Legislative Changes to Existing Energy Programs
By Glenn Blackmon, Ph.D.
The 2019 Legislature adopted some big new energy policies – notably the clean electricity standard and the performance standard for existing commercial buildings – but it also made important changes to Washington’s existing energy laws. These are summarized here, and more information is available by reading the bill reports prepared by legislative staff.
Power Source Disclosure (Fuel Mix)
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1428 reforms the fuel mix statute enacted in 2000. Rep. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) sponsored the bill at the request of Commerce.
This law requires that electric utilities disclose to their customers the fuels used to generate their electricity. Commerce requested this legislation to make much-needed updates to the law and to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the reports. They worked with utility and environmental stakeholders to develop the legislation, and it was approved without dissent in either legislative chamber.
For utility customers, the biggest change will be a new category on the disclosure label for “unspecified sources”. Utilities do not always know the sources when they purchase electricity, and the existing law required that Commerce assign fuel shares to this power. Instead, unknown sources will simply by listed as a separate category.
The law makes other less obvious but important changes to the integrity of utility disclosures. Utilities will be required to include known energy sources, and utilities are not allowed to make renewable energy claims if they have transferred or sold the renewable energy certificates associated with that electricity.
Appliance Standards
Second Substitute House Bill 1444 adopts new efficiency standards and a design requirement for various energy and water-using products. This bill was requested by Commerce and sponsored by Rep. Jeff Morris (D-Anacortes). Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle) sponsored the Senate version.
This was the first update to Washington’s appliance standards since 2009, and the bill adds standards for 17 products. Commerce estimated that consumers and businesses will save $2 billion, net present value, during the first 15 years these standards are in effect. The bill also deleted standards that have been replaced by federal standards during the past decade.
With so many products covered by the bill, Commerce staff needed to work closely with a large group of stakeholders. This group included multiple manufacturing trade associations, environmental and consumer groups, and business interests. At one hearing, legislators marveled at seeing Commerce joined by the Sierra Club and the Association of Washington Business in support of the bill. Most of the new standards apply beginning in 2021, but in some cases, the Legislature approved later dates requested by manufacturers.
Energy Independence Act
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5116 is primarily the 100 percent clean electricity bill, but sections 28 and 29 amend the renewable energy standard in the Energy Independence Act (also known as Initiative 937). The main change is to expand the eligibility of hydroelectric generation to include incremental generation from federally owned projects, such as the Grand Coulee Dam. As originally enacted by voters, the law allowed utilities to count incremental generation from hydro projects owned by the retail utilities but excluded federal projects. This change will allow utilities that rely primarily on the Bonneville Power Administration to reduce the number of renewable energy certificates (RECs) used for compliance.
The legislation also includes reforms that Commerce requested to improve the system of tracking use of RECs. The bill adopted an industry-standard definition for RECs, allows hydropower to be tracked and verified using RECs, and clarifies the requirement to retire RECs when they are used for compliance. These changes address an increasing level of confusion about REC eligibility and procedures, without making any substantive changes in resource eligibility.