Community stewardship
Commerce employees are busy every day with projects that strengthen communities. Here are a handful of our agency highlights.
Spokane Tribe of Indians is 10th tribe to sign MOU with Commerce
In September, I traveled to Wellpinit, roughly 90 minutes northeast of Spokane, to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Spokane Tribe of Indians. This marks the 10th MOU Commerce has signed with a tribe.
These MOUs are not just formalities; they are essential frameworks that foster stronger, more collaborative future relationships. They simplify contract language, honor tribal sovereignty, and help us meet our legal obligations. By removing administrative barriers, improving communication and tribal consultation practices, and ensuring culturally appropriate data privacy and security, these agreements pave the way for enhanced cooperation.
 Group from left to right: Francis SiJohn, Spokane Tribe Executive Director; Bridget Ray, Commerce Growth Management Services Tribal Coordination Manager; Annica Eagle, Commerce Community Engagement Specialist; Al Andy, Commerce Interim Director of the Office of Tribal Relations; Greg Abrahamson, Spokane Tribe Chairman; Joe Nguyen, Commerce Director; Monica Tonasket, Spokane Tribe Secretary Councilmember; Danny Kieffer, Spokane Tribe Councilmember; Luc Jasmin, Governor’s Office Eastern Washington Outreach Representative.
My visit to Wellpinit was my fourth invitation to a tribal community as Commerce’s Director. I am deeply committed to strengthening our collaborations with tribes, addressing their needs, and fulfilling our role in the Centennial Accord. I am eager to listen, learn, and improve how Commerce can support these vital partnerships.
For more information on how Commerce and the tribes of Washington are working together for a stronger future, visit the Office of Tribal Relations webpage.
Koto Coffee keeps caffeinating Seattle with help from SBRN
Most of us need a little caffeine to get through our days. In Washington, we have an abundance of excellent local brews, and now there's a novel option in Seattle.
Koto Coffee, Seattle’s first café dedicated to drinkable coffee jelly, was founded by architects-turned-entrepreneurs Ree Hamai and Heywood Chan. They have reimagined a Japanese dessert into smooth drinks made with coffee, matcha, tea and milk jellies.
With the support of the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN), Ree and Heywood transitioned from pop-ups to a storefront near Seattle University. The SBRN connects entrepreneurs across the state, providing expertise in various languages to help their businesses flourish.
Koto Coffee can provide the caffeine kick that we need to power through long days.
Homelessness growth rate is slowing, but it’s still too high
Recent Commerce studies indicate that the growth rate of homelessness in Washington is slowing.
Although a slowing growth rate is a positive sign, it is not enough. The federal Point In Time Count (PIT) identified 22,173 people experiencing homelessness as of Jan. 30, 2025, excluding King County’s unsheltered count. Meanwhile, Commerce’s Snapshot Report found 158,791 people in emergency shelters or unhoused statewide.
Behind each statistic is a person facing uncertainty. With the support of the Legislature and Governor Ferguson, Commerce is investing in programs to prevent homelessness, help people remain stably housed, and provide a path back to security.
Several Commerce programs continue to work hard on this, including the Multifamily Housing Unit, which is currently accepting applications for $212 million in affordable multifamily rental housing funding. This investment aims to close the gap in needed housing units across communities statewide. Applications for federal and state funding close on Oct. 16.
Commerce is committed to investing in affordable housing, strengthening communities, and creating a better future for all.
New tool helps support smarter planning
Smart growth is impossible without a deep understanding of our communities. Thanks to the combined efforts of Commerce’s Growth Management Services unit, MAKERS architecture and urban design, BHC Consultants, and students from the state’s accredited planning programs, acquiring this knowledge has become significantly more attainable.
Commerce recently introduced the Washington State Zoning Atlas (WAZA), a new tool designed to standardize and display zoning data from across the state in a single interactive platform. The WAZA is accessible as an interactive web-based map and a downloadable database.
The WAZA owes its success to diverse perspectives involved in its creation. Students from accredited planning programs at UW Seattle, Western Washington University, and Eastern Washington University, along with students from UW Tacoma, participated in a groundbreaking joint course that allowed them to learn about zoning in Washington and to test data collection methods essential for the WAZA's development.
Their combined efforts have created a vital resource for understanding and planning our communities' futures.
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Drivers charge up thanks to the Climate Commitment Act
 Commerce Director Joe Nguyen (center) joins Electric Era’s Kyler Schmitz and Clean & Prosperous Institute Board Member Paula Sardinas at the opening of the new fast EV charging station in Arlington.
Commerce’s Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program (WAEVCP) opened two new rapid electric vehicle charging stations in Arlington and Colville this summer. These are the first of 136 planned sites, funded with $101 million from the Climate Commitment Act.
These initial stations will serve commuters and adventurers on the I-5 corridor and heading into the North Cascades or north-central Washington forests. They are the result of collaboration among the state, private industry, and local leaders. Increasing the number of chargers reduces range anxiety and helps us all move towards a cleaner future.
Fast charging, which can recharge an EV in 15 to 45 minutes, is crucial for accelerating EV adoption. It saves drivers on fuel costs and reduces air pollution in near-highway communities.
 Open funding opportunities
Commerce currently has more than $375 million in funding available, in addition to open requests for proposals for a variety of other funding types with different cost limits.
Explore Contracting with Commerce to view more opportunities.
Here are some highlights:
Resources for you
Commerce website
Jobs at Commerce
Community Engagement and Outreach
Public Records Request
Access the Contract Portal
Legislative resources
Agency contact information
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