Oct. 2, 2017
Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZs) connect research, private
sector, workforce partners to spur development in target clusters
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington
State Department of Commerce today designated a new Innovation
Partnership Zone (IPZ) and reauthorized two other IPZs to help spur regional
economic growth through key sectors such as manufacturing, global health and
technology.
“Innovation Partnership Zones is an important tool that
helps communities determine for themselves their economic future. It
strengthens communities by facilitating a thoughtful and strategic planning
process that ultimately converts into opportunities for new and targeted job
growth. I congratulate the newest member of our vibrant IPZ community,
the North Central Washington Technology Zone, and the ongoing successes of
those in Vancouver and Skagit Valley,” said Brian Bonlender, state Commerce director.
New IPZ
Designation:
- North Central Washington Technology Zone, North Central Workforce
Development Council
Re-Designations:
IPZs are designated for four-year terms. The
following IPZs were designated in 2013 and retained their status:
"The IPZ designation for the North Central Washington Technology
Zone is great news! The collaborative effort of this partnership is building a
strong platform that connects local business and industry, expands cutting-edge
research and propels technology and innovation to new heights. This confluence
is timely and will only continue to strengthen our local economy, grow jobs and
create new opportunities for North Central businesses and our citizens," said Dave Petersen, executive director, North Central Workforce Development Council.
“On behalf of all our IPZ partners including the Port of
Skagit, WSU Research and the Bread Lab, Skagit Valley College, Skagit County,
the city of Mount Vernon, the farmers of Skagit, Skagit Valley Malting,
Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Nothwest Innovation Resource Center, and
others, we are delighted that the Skagit Value-Added Agriculture IPZ has been
re-designated by the Department of Commerce,” said John Sternlicht, CEO of the
Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, the IPZ’s administrator. “Our
primary goals are to promote innovation in agriculture and find new and
sustainable sources of revenue from agriculture here, including new products
and markets, new venues, new activities and new technologies.”
Teresa Brum, City of Vancouver, Economic Development
Division manager, said, “We are very pleased
with the renewal of the Innovation Partnership Zone designation. The City of
Vancouver looks forward to working with our partners to implement the next
phase of the IPZ!”
Created 10 years ago, the goal of Innovation Partnership Zones is
to stimulate growth of industry clusters and build strong regional economies. IPZs
empower regions to form partnerships among research entities, private-sector
partners, and workforce training to collaborate and develop commercially viable
technologies. To learn more about Innovation Partnership Zones and choosing
Washington state as your place to do business, visit www.choosewashington.com .
Contacts:
-
Auburn – Urban Center for
Innovative Partnerships,
(2011~City of Auburn). More information: Doug Lein (253)
804-3101
-
Bothell – Bothell
Biomedical Device IPZ, (2007~City
of Bothell). More information: Bob Stowe (425) 486-3256
-
Grays
Harbor – Grays Harbor IPZ, (2007~Port of Grays Harbor). More
information: Alissa Shay (360) 482-1651
-
Issaquah
– Sports
Medicine Innovation Partnership Zone, (2015~City of Issaquah). More
information: Jen Davis-Hayes (425) 837-3414
-
Redmond
– Interactive Media
and Digital Arts IPZ, (2011~City
of Redmond and Economic Development Council of Seattle-King County).
More information: John Marchione (425) 556-2101
-
Snohomish
– Aerospace
Convergence Zone, (2007~Economic Development Council of Snohomish County).
More information: Matt Smith (425) 248-4219
-
Spokane
– Spokane
University District IPZ, (2007~Greater
Spokane Incorporated). More information: Robin
Toth (509) 321-3636
-
Tacoma – Urban Clean Water Technology Zone, (2011~City of Tacoma). More information: Jim Parvey (253) 502-2273
-
Tri
Cities – Tri Cities Research
District, (2007~Port of
Benton). More information: Diahann
Howard (509)
375-3060
-
Thurston
– Thurston
Craft Brewing and Distilling Innovation Partnership Zone, (2015~Thurston
County). More information: Michael Cade (360) 754-6320
-
Walla
Walla – Walla Walla Valley IPZ, (2007~City of Walla
Walla). More information: Tim
McCarty (509)
527-4540
Twitter: @WAStateCommerce
Facebook: facebook.com/wastatecommerce
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