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Sept. 22, 2017
“Washington
Maritime Blue 2050” project aims to lead the nation in sustainable ocean
industry technology and practices, earns regional innovation strategy grant
OLYMPIA, WA –
The Washington State Department of Commerce
was awarded a $500,000 grant through the U.S. Economic Development
Administration’s (EDA) Regional
Innovation Strategies (RIS) program
to support Washington Maritime Blue 2050, a statewide vision
for creating and expanding the nation’s most sustainable ocean industry and
technology cluster. Every federal dollar is matched with state and local funds.
The ‘Blue Economy’ is
taking off around the world, from ships humming with electric engines to port
efficiency and automation and the first zero-emission terminal now under
construction. Studies predict that in coming decades, scientific and
technological advances will play a crucial role in addressing ocean-related
environmental challenges and ocean-based economic activities.
“Maritime activity has long
been a pillar of Washington state’s economy,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Today we
are uniquely poised to lead the country in maritime clean tech innovation and
best management practices that create living-wage jobs, a healthy environment,
and resilient communities.”
Every segment of the
state’s $37.8 billion maritime sector will be affected by technological
advances in coming years, so leaders in government, research, businesses and
academic communities are working together to capitalize on prime opportunities
with Washington Maritime Blue: 2050 Vision for Accelerating Innovation.
The project has three main
objectives:
- Set
the course for sustainable maritime industry innovation. The Washington
Maritime BLUE 2050 is a strategy to ensure Washington State is home of the most
sustainable maritime industry by 2050, aligned with Governor Inslee’s plans for
deep de-carbonization, innovation and workforce development.
- Support
strong blue tech cluster coordination, forming strategic alliances, growth in
trade, and increased jobs.
- Support
development of the Washington Maritime Innovation Center at the Port of
Seattle, in partnership with the Port of Seattle and the University of
Washington’s Applied Physics Lab.
“Receiving this grant
acknowledges the strong connections created through our sector lead program to
ensure our state is positioned to thrive and lead in the increasingly
competitive international marketplace for maritime services,” Commerce Director
Brian Bonlender said. “Washington’s maritime industry strengthens communities
all over the state by employing a diverse workforce of nearly 70,000. Our goal
is to build on that by creating a green, efficient, sustainable maritime sector
that will serve as a model for the rest of the country.”
The $500,000 grant is
matched in-kind by the Port of Seattle, which is providing space for the
Washington Maritime Innovation Center, and the University of Washington Applied
Physics Lab providing staff time.
The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE),
housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration
(EDA), leads the Regional Innovation Strategies Program to spur innovation
capacity-building activities in regions across the nation. The program is
authorized through the America COMPETES reauthorization Act of 2010, and has
received dedicated appropriations since fiscal year 2014.
Commerce was one of 42
organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and
entrepreneurship-focused organizations from 28 states that received over $17
million to create and expand
cluster-focused proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and
early-stage seed capital funds through RIS. The awardees were selected from a pool of more than 217
applicants.
Contacts:
Penny Thomas, Commerce
Communications, (206) 256-6106
Twitter: @WAStateCommerce
Facebook: facebook.com/wastatecommerce
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