A Message from Commerce Director Lisa Brown



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Lisa Brown

Washington economic activity


*Director's Update*

MESSAGE FROM LISA BROWN?


Helping small businesses go global?

Commerce once again earns maximum state trade expansion grant from SBA

Lisa Brown with SBA Administrator

I was pleased to join?U.S. Small Business Administration [ [link removed] ]?(SBA) administrator Isabelle Casillas Guzman to accept Commerce's 10th year of funding to help Washington state small businesses grow through exporting. The $1.4 million State Trade Expansion Program?(STEP) grant to our state is one of the two largest awarded from a total $20 million to 52 states and territory international trade agencies ? only Michigan also received $1.4 million.

Since inception, we can directly attribute more than $562 million in sales by participating small businesses to STEP? - it's one of our most successful and effective export assistance programs.?Read the press release [ [link removed] ]?

"*Our Commerce team is ready to help you grow!*"

Our STEP voucher program provides direct cash assistance to help expand small businesses through international sales. Find out if you qualify and apply [ [link removed] ].

Trade shows are another great way to build your business internationally or here at home. Learn more about joining a ChooseWashington delegation [ [link removed] ].

Explore all of our Export Assistance programs - contact us. [ [link removed] ]


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Home Ownership Disparities Report:

Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) would need to buy more than 140,000 houses to achieve parity with white homeownership in WA

The?Improving Homeownership Rates for Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Washington report [ [link removed] ]?released this week is the culmination of nine months of hard work by the?Homeownership Disparities Work Group [ [link removed] ], which I was honored to chair. The group represented a diverse range of stakeholders, including experts in affordable homeownership, real estate, fair housing, mortgage lending, housing development, and the specific needs of BIPOC communities, including members who had experience buying homes through the Housing Trust Fund low-income homeownership program.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this important initial work and recommendations.

The real estate market has gone through tremendous change in the past few years as our state navigated a global pandemic that further impacted supply, demand, and affordability. Simultaneously, our state began to seriously consider and confront racial inequities?something long overdue. As we work to amplify and center the experiences of Washington?s
communities of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), we create a more equitable and just state for all our residents.

These two areas intersect within the context of homeownership. Homeownership is an aspiration for many as a means to build wealth, stability, and community. However, due to systemic racism coded into our laws, policies, and practices?and a severe mismatch in housing supply and demand that has pushed home prices to record highs?more than 143,000 households who identify as BIPOC have been locked out of achieving this goal.

These statistics paint a picture that is appalling and unacceptable.

The work group developed 27 recommendations, 12 of which are deemed actionable in the next several years to remove housing barriers for BIPOC households in Washington.

READ THE REPORT [ [link removed] ]
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Investing in housing across the state

Photo of a row of affordable houses
September sees three major funding announcements

On Sept. 7, *nearly $21 million was awarded to fund over 3,100 units of permanent supportive housing* for people with disabling physical and behavioral health conditions. Many of the individuals who will benefit are experiencing homelessness or are a imminent risk of homelessness.?*Read more [ [link removed] ]*

With construction costs rising steeply, the?*Housing Trust Fund announced an additional $26 million gap funding investment* to supplement prior grant awards and keep 22 multifamily affordable housing projects moving forward.?*Read more [ [link removed] ]*

*$77.9 million awarded; $84.7 million remains available in 2022 rapid capital housing acquisition funding*

In the first round of our 2022 Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition funding, $77.9 million in grants was awarded yesterday to create 390 units of housing across the state. Projects will serve people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.?See the list [ [link removed] ] and a map [ [link removed] ] of the projects.

Several regions have yet to see eligible projects request funding, and there is an *additional $19.4 million set aside for rural projects*.

The updated Notice of Funding Opportunity for Round 2 of these grants is expected Oct. 26, with nearly $85 million still available. *Learn more about applying to the Housing Trust Fund [ [link removed] ]*.


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Stay informed on all of our funding?

*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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Do you work in homeless services?

You may be eligible for *up to $4,000 in economic relief* available to qualified homeless workers through a limited Commerce program. Learn more and find out how to apply now at homelessoworkerstipend.com [ [link removed] ].?

image promoting applications for the Homeless Worker Stipend________________________________________________________________________

ICYMI...

Solar panels coming to more schools, public buildings statewide

Sequim civic center solar panels [ [link removed] ]

We recently announced $1.4 million in grants to state and local government agencies to install solar panels at public buildings in communities throughout the state. The 14 projects awarded funding in this round will support community efforts to move toward sustainable energy sources and result in long-term energy cost savings that can be reallocated to other needs.

The city of Sequim received a grant in 2020 that enabled installation of 132 solar panels on the Civic Center roof (pictured), saving an estimated $3,700 annually and reducing the building?s carbon footprint by nearly 22 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.?

Read more [ [link removed] ]


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CERB gets new chair; approves $4.4 million in new investments at September meeting

Michael Echanove headshot photo

New chair Michael Echanove presided as the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) approved $3,790,600 in low-interest loans and $630,200 in grants for economic development and public infrastructure improvements at its September meeting. Two major port projects in Skagit and Douglas counties are among the investments.??Read more [ [link removed] ]


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Cindy Guertin-Anderson takes the helm of Community Services Division

Headshot photo of Cindy Guertin-Anderson

?I?m so thrilled to have the privilege of serving alongside the Commerce team ? I?m inspired by the way the department works to prioritize investment in underserved communities, make decisions through the lens of equity and justice, and make sure community voices are centered,? said *Cindy?Guertin-Anderson*, who started work as Assistant Director leading our new Community Services Division on Sept. 1.?Cindy?s passion for social justice is evident in her accomplishments and approach to leadership. She will play an important role as we build on Commerce's strong commitment to equity in all of the work we do to strengthen communities throughout the state.

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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