Washington State Department of Commerce

Under Washington’s HEAL (Healthy Environment for All) Act, nearly 55% of funding is directed toward creating environmental benefits for overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and tribes across the state. So far, funding has supported 5,600+ projects and programs aimed at reducing pollution, improving environmental health, and addressing disparities. Explore the HEAL dashboard to see how state agencies are making an impact: https://lnkd.in/gn-GbThB

The Clean Building Performance Grants funding opportunity is now open! The program, which aims to lower energy costs, reduce pollution, and create jobs, offers competitive funding to support energy efficiency improvements in private and public buildings to meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. These grants target Tier 1 covered buildings and Tier 1 and Tier 2 public buildings. Funding reimburses building owners for costs related to projects and services to meet CBPS compliance. Interested in joining an upcoming workshop to learn more? Join an upcoming applicant conference: • TOMORROW! Thursday, Dec. 19, 12 to 1 p.m.; Register: https://heyor.ca/dqNYbr • Thursday, Jan. 9, 12 to 1 p.m.; Register: https://heyor.ca/f3YiQK Get more details: https://lnkd.in/gw_5_YtV

Last week, Chris Lovings, Commerce’s Community Engagement Specialist in King County, attended a ribbon cutting for Island Center Homes, an exciting affordable housing development on Vashon Island. This is a demonstration project, the first of its kind in King County. The sustainable property features five separate buildings with eight studio-style units in each home with private bathrooms and kitchenettes. Each home has a common gathering room and full-sized kitchen, and two of the eight units are ADA compliant. The property will house 40 community members. Commerce proudly supported with project with $5.4 million of funding from the National Housing Trust Fund and state Housing Trust Fund. The ribbon cutting event included a property tour by Rachael Hetrick, the Island Center Homes program director, and a lineup of speakers: Chris; Kelly Rider, King County Department of Community and Human Services director; Christy Clements, Board President of Vashon HouseHold; Hilary Emmer, Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness representative; and Kari Dohn Decker, Vashon HouseHold interim executive director.

Commerce recently awarded Snohomish County, WA with a 2024 Governor’s Smart Community Award for the Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site. This $4.2 million, 17-acre wetland project is revolutionizing transportation planning by combining mitigation needs into a single site before they’re needed. The result? $30 million in savings for future road projects and enduring ecological benefits. Watch the full story to see how innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand!

🎶 OPEN NOW!  The Washington State Music Census! 📢 Calling all musicians, music industry professionals, & music business owners to MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! By taking this short ANONYMOUS survey, your are helping us advocate for YOU by creating policies & resources to support Washington music! Brought to you by the Washington Nightlife and Music Association, Seattle Office of Economic Development and Washington State Department of Commerce with support from King County Creative, your input is vital to understanding and growing our vibrant music community. Take the survey today: https://lnkd.in/ggtzFAmm

The Washington State Broadband Office will receive $15.98 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to continue efforts to improve digital equity in Washington. The announcement came at an event Monday in Seattle. “Digital equity means that all people, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the tools and skills they need to succeed in the digital world,” said WSBO Director Aaron Wheeler. The NTIA funding will support Washington’s efforts to enhance digital equity by creating a Broadband Cybersecurity Literacy Program. With cybersecurity threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is vital that people not only have the tools to connect, but also the skills to engage with technology safely and responsibly. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecR7sfGP

The Washington State Public Works Board recently approved pre-construction and emergency funding for water and sewer infrastructure projects that will benefit communities in Ferry, Grant, Okanagan, and Pend Oreille counties. In Pend Oreille County, emergency funding will be used for the Metaline Falls Transmission Line Project (pictured). This includes the installation of temporary winter weatherization, replacement of a failed drinking water line, and hillside stabilization. Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/gnqWz7eQ

You could help shape a new study about alternative methods for calculating Area Median Income in Washington. Commerce’s Housing Division is collecting information from stakeholders about the benefits and drawbacks of the current AMI calculation method and potential impacts of changes on efforts to meet the state’s affordable housing needs. We want to hear from anyone whose life or work is impacted by AMI and associated income limits. This might include, but is not limited to: • Local planners • Housing assistance program managers • Service providers • Developers and managers of affordable housing • Advocates • Persons who’ve experience housing insecurity Complete the survey by Jan. 5, 2025: https://heyor.ca/z5kqtq Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTQkUBVd

The State Broadband Office is teaming up with Workforce Board Executive Director Eleni Papadakis and the Washington Workforce Association for a conversation about workforce development and federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding opportunities. The BEAD and Workforce Connections Webinar at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 aims to educate workforce development professionals so they are prepared to handle questions from grant applicants in coming weeks. The deadline to apply for BEAD funding is Jan. 31, 2025. Register to join on Zoom: https://heyor.ca/o5fsva

Spokane loves its river and was recently recognized for its commitment to protecting the river's health through innovative solutions. Commerce presented the City of Spokane with a 2024 Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement Projects. The new stormwater system collects runoff and reduces contaminants from reaching the river, and improves outdoor recreation access in the Audubon-Downriver Neighborhood.