Washington State Department of Commerce

Commerce recently joined Seattle Public Utilities to welcome a delegation from the Republic of Estonia. We exchanged ideas regarding the circular economy, a system where materials never become waste. The 21-person delegation included honorary consulate, Paul Raidna, and represented a range of companies and associations. The discussion fostered ideas around job creation and economic development, contributing to a cleaner future for Washington. Learn more about the circular economy: https://lnkd.in/gN2HXKs6

Community Reinvestment at Work! ?? Fernando Ontiveros started Diamond Hands Boxing Gym from his passion for the sport, and to fill a community need that would offer at-risk youth a positive place to shine. He works with kids from as young as 8 years old, up to 17, with ten youth currently in training, and seven others competing across the state. Thanks to a small business investment grant through the Washington State Department of Commerce, Fernando purchased new equipment and supplies and plans to increase gym space and bring on a certified boxing coach to reach and serve more youth in Othello, Ritzville, and Warden. Keep up the great work, Diamond Hands, and good luck with your upcoming competitions! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKix2YVr #skillsource #communityreinvestment #crf #latinoowned #ncw

We have funding available from the Industrial Symbiosis Program to help advance the concept that economic growth doesn’t have to equal waste. The competitive grants are open to private, nonprofit, tribal, or government entities taking steps to reduce, reuse, or eliminate industrial waste to benefit Washington’s circular economy. Applications due: Friday, Nov. 1 Learn more: https://heyor.ca/0EQX1B

Investing in Indigenous communities means investing in a stronger, more prosperous Washington. Discover available resources for tribal governments and see how you can drive lasting impact by visiting FundHub.WA.gov. #FundHubWA #FundingWA

The 2024 Northwest Bioenergy Summit is October 15-16 in Spokane. Commerce is a proud sponsor of this year’s event. This event brings together diverse public and private interests for a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges facing bioenergy development in the northwest. From new funding sources and cutting-edge research, to project and market development, the Summit will explore how bioenergy is positioned to address the complex interplay between energy generation, waste management, transportation, soil health, and rural economic development. To learn more and register, visit https://lnkd.in/gjpRgFUE.

Commerce today announced $3 million for 16 cities and four counties to streamline local building permit review processes. The funding will help create digital permitting processes and consolidate permit reviews. “It will take solutions from all angles to address the projected need for more than a million new housing units in communities across Washington over the next 20 years,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “These grants will help modernize and streamline the way residential building permits are processed, reducing delays, cutting down on paperwork and helping us meet that urgent need for new housing.” Read the full news release: https://lnkd.in/gGbwTxV2

Have you taken a tour of our new website yet? One of the most important updates is language access. Users can now read our content in 10 languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional and simplified), Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Check out our new site at commerce.wa.gov.

We’re recruiting an executive director to lead the Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs. This position provides leadership for strategic initiatives to address the needs of vulnerable and low-income communities across the state. OHY manages funding and directs the state’s efforts to address youth and young adult homelessness. Youth of color and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ experience homelessness and housing stability at higher rates than their peers. OHY strives to achieve equity for these youth and places youth at the center of funding, practice, and policy decisions. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/g_dFdaVh

Do you own a multifamily or nonprofit building? Our Clean Buildings team is hosting an informational webinar on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. to discuss compliance with the Clean Buildings Performance Standards. The webinar will: ? Outline the Tier 2 compliance requirements ? Provide information on how building owners can begin to prepare for compliance ? Share available funding opportunities The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will also share information about their free energy and water benchmarking services for HUD-assisted properties. Register to join on Zoom: https://heyor.ca/7bbEzc Learn more about the Clean Buildings Performance Standard: https://lnkd.in/gRXVkTi9

Last night, Commerce and Germany’s Niedersachsen Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Housing and Digitization signed a memorandum of understanding in Seattle. This furthers an existing formal relationship between the State of Washington and German State of Niedersachsen, Lower Saxony, a region in northwestern Germany. The MOU advances a longstanding relationship, committing both parties to support increased economic, research and trade cooperation in key sectors, including aerospace manufacturing, clean tech, maritime, renewable energies, and more.