November 2020

$135 million assistance package targets hardest-hit small businesses and families

The pandemic is hitting industries and households in profoundly different ways. The latest round of $100 million in business assistance from the state's remaining CARES Act funds, announced by Gov. Inslee last Friday, is focused on the hardest-hit sectors of our economy, such as restaurants and fitness centers. Equity is also a top priority for all of our relief funds, with attention directed toward rural Washington and communities facing historic disadvantage. In addition to business assistance, $35 million was added to programs providing rent and utility payment assistance statewide. Here’s the breakdown of the full $135 million relief and recovery package approved for Commerce to implement:

READ MORE

Helping children and youth weather the pandemic is crucial investment in our future

$9.4 million in grants supports youth development organizations Lewis County Boys and Girls Club (pictured)  is now open 10 hours a day serving about 30 children, thanks to one of 421 grants announced this week to nonprofit youth development groups in communities across Washington. Youth enrichment and support programs for children and young adults are more critical than ever during the pandemic. In partnership with School's Out Washington, Commerce worked to grant $9.4 million to over 400 nonprofit organizations throughout the state that are focused on serving youth most in need of support. About 88% of the children served by the grant recipients are Black or Indigenous students, are experiencing poverty or homelessness, are immigrants, or identify as LGBTQ.  These youth development organizations are a crucial lifeline for children and families. providing enrichment, academic support, social-emotional development, wrap-around services and mentoring programs for kids when they are out of school. These providers have become increasingly important hubs during school closures due to COVID, with many transitioning to full day programs similar to summer camps.  This is one of the first large-scale state government investments in youth development programs. I’m incredibly proud of all our partners who are there to lift up our children and their families during a time of profound hardship and challenge. See the full list of organizations that received funding here Read local stories in The Seattle Times and The Daily Chronicle LEARN MORE

Maritime sector forecasts promise amid pandemic headwinds

A challenging public health crisis hasn't changed the goals for Washington's maritime industry: create good paying jobs and develop a world-class, sustainable ocean economy. Keeping focus on the future set the tone for 173 maritime industry leaders and government officials at the Pacific Maritime Expo's virtual 2020 Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast hosted by the Seattle Propeller Club. With trade wars and a pandemic battering the industry, bipartisan support for state and federal infrastructure funding is critical to the sector and the state's economic recovery. Pivoting from China to develop new overseas trading partners requires that we invest more in those efforts, including working to lower trade barriers in Vietnam to Washington grain exports. READ MORE in National Fisherman WATCH VIDEO of the event

31st Centennial Accord draws on wisdom, experience to meet common challenges

During his year's Centennial Accord, I was joined by our State Broadband Office Director Russ Elliott and our Tribal Liaison Ernie Rasmussen. Among the important collaborations we continue to develop in cooperation with Washington's Tribal leaders are expansion of high-speed internet access to enable telehealth services, remote learning and economic development, as well as opportunities to support recovery from the disproportionate impacts of COVID in Tribal communities. Ernie provides his personal reflections on his first Centennial Accord serving as Commerce Tribal Liaison.

By Ernie Rasmussen The government-to-government relationship between the State of Washington and the 29 sovereign Tribes of Washington state, along with two Tribes from Oregon, is not wholly unique.  Most state governments that have Tribes within their boundaries work to honor the inherent Tribal sovereignty as defined by Supreme Court Justice John Marshall in the early 1800s.  What is unique here is Washington State Law (RCW 43.376) defining a level of duty and care to establish and maintain our valued G2G relationship with Tribes.  The 31st Annual Centennial Accord provided another such opportunity to strengthen our efforts to collaborate and coordinate work with 31 different Tribal governments.  It was an honor to sit alongside Governor Inslee, Director Brown and her fellow cabinet  agency leaders to listen and learn from our Tribal partners about their priorities. It was humbling, to say the least, to present updates on the good work of our Commerce teams to meet our mission in alignment with Tribes' priorities, such as...  CONTINUE READING...

"My internet stinks" - Help us map broadband needs in your community

"When people say 'my broadband stinks,' I say, you have homework!" That's Russ Elliott, Director of the Washington Statewide Broadband Office at Commerce, speaking about a simple, one-minute speed and access survey at www.broadband.wa.gov. Take the test and you can play an important role in shaping our state's ambitious goals to expand affordable high-speed internet access to all communities, especially those currently with inadequate or no connection at all. Data gathered in the speed test will help create a detailed internet coverage map that will be used to focus priorities for investment. Help chart broadband needs in your community by taking the Speed Test from your home, on any device.

Don't have access at your home? Use one of our Drive-Up WiFi Hotspots or other community connection such as a library or coffee shop, to take the survey and log your information.

TAKE THE SPEED TEST

Visit www.coronavirus.wa.gov often for the most current information and resources related to COVID-19 in Washington state.

About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com.

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Washington Department of Commerce.

Subscribe | Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe All | Help | Contact us

Learn more about what you can do to promote participation in the 2020 Census where you live.

Click to edit this placeholder text.