A Message from Commerce Director Lisa Brown



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Lisa Brown

Washington economic activity


*Director's Update*

MESSAGE FROM LISA BROWN?


$75 million available to small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID
image promoting Working WA small biz grants opening Aug. 17
*New grant application opens Aug. 17*

Another round of state pandemic relief grants is on the way, with focus on - but not limited to - the arts, heritage and science sectors, and businesses relying on Washington Convention Center events, such as theaters and live entertainment venues.?

Applications for the *Working Washington Grants: Round 5* and new *Convention Center Grants* programs open Wednesday Aug. 17.? Together, these programs will distribute $75 million in pandemic relief grants to eligible small businesses and nonprofits across Washington.

The online commercegrants.com [ [link removed] ]?portal has guidelines and information to help applicants get ready to submit applications.

*Virtual application information sessions* are scheduled throughout the month of August:


*

*TODAY! Getting ready to apply*
Thursday, August 4, 9-10:30 am
Presenting partner: OneEastside SPARK
Click here to register [ [link removed] ]


*

[ [link removed] ]*TODAY! Working Washington Round 5 & Convention Center Grants Info*

Thursday, August 4, 1-2:30 pm
Presenting partner: Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
Click here to register [ [link removed] ]

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* *Application walk-through*
Thursday, Aug. 18, 9-10:30 am
Presenting partner: OneEastside SPARK
Register [ [link removed] ]
* *Working Washington Round 5 & Convention Center Grants Info*
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 3-4:30 pm
Presenting partner: Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
Register [ [link removed] ]
* *Working Washington Round 5 & Convention Center Grants Info*
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1-2:30 pm
Presenting partner: Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
Register [ [link removed] ]
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Funding Opportunities

* *Behavioral Health Facilities*?program capital grant applications - multiple opportunities?*CLOSING SOON*?Learn more [ [link removed] ]?
* *Building for the Arts?*capital grants up to $2 million to performing arts, museums and cultural organizations for acquisition or new construction. *OPEN NOW.*? ??Learn more [ [link removed] ]
* *Connecting Housing to Infrastructure* *(CHIP)* grants -? Third round application *CLOSES AUG. 26.*??Learn more [ [link removed] ]
* *Electrification of Transportation System grants* - For federally-recognized Tribes, local governments, state agencies and others. *OPEN NOW *Learn more [ [link removed] ]
* *Growth Management Planning* grant applications for local governments *OPEN NOW*. Learn more [ [link removed] ]
* The *Housing Trust Fund* has multiple programs and funding *cycles throughout the year*.?For complete information visit "Applying to the Housing Trust Fund [ [link removed] ]."
* *State Project Improvement grants* for energy retrofits in public buildings. *OPEN NOW* for state agencies. Learn more [ [link removed] ]
* *Working Washington and Convention Center grants *-? New round of emergency relief grants for businesses and non-profits, including arts organizations?*OPENS AUG. 17.*?Learn more [ [link removed] ]?

Stay informed

*Subscribe* [ [link removed] ]?to our "*Open Grants, Loans and RFPs*" topic list to get email and/or SMS text updates on all open funding opportunities with Commerce.

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Strengthening Communities

*OLYMPIA: Smart planning for a vibrant future*

Olympia mayor smart communities video screen capture image

From planning and public works to economic development and energy, Commerce is the one agency in state government built to understand and support the diverse needs of local leaders in cities, towns and counties across the state. It is our pleasure to share in presenting the 2021 Governor?s Smart Communities Award [ [link removed] ] to the?City of Olympia?for their continued foresight and hard work in planning for the future.

People have discovered Olympia, in a big way. Washington?s capital city is growing quickly, with about 1,000 new residents moving in every year. They come for work, life and to play outside, leaning into the city?s values and quirky culture. The shifts in where people work since the pandemic also means that small cities like Olympia are becoming destinations for people who can work from anywhere.

Olympia needed a Transportation Master Plan to match its rapid growth while preserving the city?s identity and values. That?s what they?ve got in the new plan, which was the result of a three-year process, said Mayor Cheryl Selby. ?We know that we can grow with grace and in a way that people will still recognize Olympia,? Mayor Cheryl Selby said of the plan.

?Watch video [ [link removed] ]


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*POINT ROBERTS: Exploring unique challenges?*

Lisa in Pt Roberts

I visited beautiful Point Roberts recently to talk about economic recovery. If you?re not familiar, Point Roberts is located at the tip of Canada's Tsawwassen Peninsula, just south of Vancouver. Although part of the US, tourists and residents must cross a US border and a Canadian border to get there.

The community relies heavily on Canadian tourism, but during the height of the pandemic, and subsequent border closure, Pt. Roberts suffered a difficult economic downturn. Commerce grants helped key businesses stay open, including the only local grocery store.?

Meeting with the Point Roberts Taxpayer?s Association, we discussed ways to boost prosperity by lowering barriers to hiring seasonal workers, developing more local events and attractions for tourists, and developing needed infrastructure to support housing and growth.

Commerce's mission is strengthening communities and helping them thrive. Thank you to the Point Roberts community for hosting me and engaging in this valuable?conversation.


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ICYMI...

*Broadband equity survey closes Aug. 14*

Screenshot of digital equity sign language video________________________________________________________________________

The Washington State Broadband Office and the Washington State Office of Equity are leading the?Washington State Digital Equity Forum [ [link removed] ]. Your feedback will help us make recommendations to the Washington State Legislature to improve internet access for all people in Washington. We invite you to complete a short survey - all responses are anonymous.

*Go to the survey [ [link removed] ]*?(Available in 16 additional languages)

Watch ASL video [ [link removed] ]?

If you have additional accessibility needs, please call (360) 688-3473 or 711 (Washington Relay), or email your accessibility request [email protected]. <[email protected]?subject=Question%20about%20DEF%20Community%20Survey>

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*Valuing lived experience: Young people guide nearly $7 million in state grants through Washington?s Office of Homeless Youth*

Screenshot from homeless youth summit [ [link removed] ]

By car, bus, Amtrak train, ferry and airplane they came. Young people with lived experience of homelessness gathered in SeaTac from all over the state to participate in a weekend-long summit and evaluate dozens of applications for grants from the state?s Office of Homeless Youth.

These young people took a lead role in reviewing over $15 million in funding requests. They analyzed proposals through the lens of their own personal experience struggling with housing instability and accessing services and programs for support.

Read the full story on our Medium site [ [link removed] ]


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*State delegation logs successful trip to Farnborough Airshow?*

Photo of meeting at Farnborough Intl Airshow

We have a lot to look forward to as Washington continues to lead the way in aerospace, especially in growing segments of electric aircraft, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and commercial space. Commerce and our ChooseWashington delegation wrapped a fantastic, productive week in July at the Farnborough International Airshow [ [link removed] ]?in the UK. We met with key international partners, such as Embraer, (pictured) and made new connections with businesses around the world. It is easy to see that Washington State is "Where the Next Big Thing Begins!"

Learn more [ [link removed] ]


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*Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness keeps growing*

Commerce has a community and sector-based approach to economic development and we continue to bolster our team. We're delighted to be bringing on board some incredibly talented professionals to lead current and new initiatives aimed at equitable economic growth and job creation.?

Linda Womack headshot

*Linda Womack*?is Managing Director of Small Business and Community Support, joining us from her previous position as?Director of the (MBDA) Minority Business Development Agency ? Washington Business Center operated by the City of Tacoma?s Community and Economic Development Department.



Shannon Halberstadt headshot

*Shannon Halberstadt*, Director of Creative Economy Sector Development, brings a wealth of experience in the arts and creative arena, including CEO of Artist Trust, and Executive Director at The Recording Academy (GRAMMY?s).?

Read more [ [link removed] ]


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Are you passionate about making a difference? Think about joining Team Commerce.
We're hiring promotional image [ [link removed] ]

We are a mobile-friendly workplace with a "headquarters and hubs" hybrid office model. Most positions can *work from anywhere* in Washington. Check out current opportunities at Commerce [ [link removed] ].






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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 [link removed]. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com [ [link removed] ].

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