Commerce is pleased to share this great news announced today by our partners at Columbia River Economic Development: Vancouver, WA — The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) announces the award of $300,000 from the state’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF) to Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) to support employee training and upskilling in Clark County, WA. ADI is a global semiconductor leader that combines analog, digital, and software technologies into solutions…
Grants fund 71 projects including solar, hydrogen fueling, microgrids and more in communities most impacted by carbon pollution and climate change SEATTLE – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $72.6 million for 71 grants for community clean energy projects across Washington that advance environmental justice and equity. The funding will benefit communities in 24 of Washington’s 39 counties through solar projects, hydrogen fueling, electricity microgrids and more. Funded…
Milestone memorandum of understanding formalizes areas of partnership; seeks to remove administrative barriers, ensure data sovereignty and more OLYMPIA, WA — Chehalis Tribe Chairman Dustin Klatush and Washington State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong today signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing government-to-government relations between the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the department in a ceremony at Talking Cedars in Rochester, WA. The agreement seeks to…
New and established programs in communities statewide will provide electrification incentives and appliance rebates to homeowners and small businesses OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $39,575,225 in grants to cities, counties, municipal utilities, and state and federally recognized tribes to support electrification of homes and businesses. The funding, made possible by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, will establish and enhance local programs that provide rebates and…
Applications open for two new loan programs: Owner-Occupied Commercial Real-Estate and Small Business Flex Fund 2 OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched the first of five planned small business loan and investment programs aimed at increasing access to capital for small businesses in Washington state, particularly those that have been historically underserved or underbanked. A total of $163 million in funding comes from the U.S.…
Grants support innovative solar and wave energy projects, advance state goals on environmental justice and equity OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce this week announced $7.5 million in grants to five tribes in Washington to plan, design and build clean energy projects. Funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, these clean energy grants through Commerce are part of an $83 million opportunity that includes $16 million for a…
Commerce Director Mike Fong issued the following statement on the recent passing of Karen Lane Rahm: On behalf of all of our current and former Department of Commerce team members, I share condolences to the family, and many friends and colleagues of Karen Lane Rahm on her recent passing. Karen led our precursor agency, known as the State Planning and Community Development Agency, prior to being appointed Secretary of the…
Affordable Housing Advisory Board releases 2023-2028 Housing Advisory Plan: Affordable Housing Needs in Washington Olympia, Washington – The lack of affordable housing options has reached critical levels in communities throughout Washington, according to the recently released Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) Five-Year Housing Advisory Plan. The AHAB report highlights the need for action, detailing that the state must add over a million new homes within the next 20 years to…
OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is one of three approved today by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The BEAD program is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. This approval will enable the state to request access to over $1.2 billion allocated to begin implementation of its BEAD program —…
New Commerce grants fund organizations taking action to help communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs build a stable financial future OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $9.8 million in grants to 28 organizations and institutions providing financial coaching for communities disproportionally impacted by the historical design and enforcement of state criminal laws and penalties for drug possession, commonly referred to as the war…