A Final Message from Commerce Director Lisa Brown



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Lisa Brown

Washington economic activity


*Director's Update*

MESSAGE FROM LISA BROWN?


Farewell
photo of Commerce Executive Leadership Team 2023

When I accepted Gov. Inslee?s appointment to lead the Department of Commerce four years ago, I had a positive impression of the many programs and activities in the agency portfolio ? I also knew its scope of influence was greater than our short name indicated. I was intrigued by the simplicity and yet profound significance of our mission to strengthen communities. As an economist, former legislator and former higher education leader,?I was excited and ready to take on this role. What I didn?t know in 2019 is how many amazing people I would meet inside and outside the agency, how much I would learn and grow as a leader, and how hard it would be to make the decision to step down as Commerce director.

As I leave state service this week, I am humbled by what this team has achieved, weathering a pandemic and becoming a go-to agency for emergency response and community and economic recovery, while our staff numbers and budget doubled in size. In addition to the enormous challenges of the pandemic years ? administering more than $2 billion in relief for rent assistance, small businesses, local governments and broadband access - my highlights reel is too long to share in its entirety.

Increasing our embedded presence in communities was one of my top priorities. We established and expanded the Community Engagement and Outreach team and launched the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN). The SBRN was built with public and philanthropic funding to support small businesses and entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities with in-language and culturally relevant assistance and resources. Thirty trusted messenger organizations are now partners in the network across the state, from the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Clark County to the Carl Maxey Center of Spokane.

Strengthening communities is Commerce?s mission. I want to thank the dedicated Commerce employees and partners who have worked closely and tirelessly to support families, businesses and local leaders in every region of the state. I am proud of our work over the last four years and confident that the Commerce team will continue to excel in equitable community and economic development.

Kendrick Stewart Headshot

I also want to congratulate Kendrick Stewart on his appointment as interim director [ [link removed] ]. Our team and the people and organizations we serve throughout the state are in capable hands with Kendrick and the members of Commerce?s exceptional leadership team.

I look forward to following what the next chapter brings for Commerce.


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Screenshot of Lisa Brown with Austin Jenkins on Inside Olympia TV show [ [link removed] ]

*Thank you Inside Olympia *for the opportunity to share a final conversation as Commerce director. I appreciated spending time with Austin Jenkins recently to reminisce about my time in the Legislature, my reflections on leading Commerce and what I see ahead for the agency and those we serve.? Watch video [ [link removed] ]


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Helping communities plan for housing

photo of Commerce team at Redondo Heights project groundbreaking

Transportation has influenced where humans have lived and worked throughout time. Where populations have sprung up, so too have roads, rails and other methods in and out. From Roman streets to super trains, communities and the paths to them are forever linked.

The rule applies in Washington, too, with the new Redondo Heights Transit-Oriented Development project in Federal Way. The new apartment complex is situated next to the?future SoundTransit light rail station?at Star Lake and is poised to take advantage of the?light rail?s 7.8-mile extension.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a city planning approach that creates and sustains compact, walkable communities with access to high-capacity transit. Read the full story on our Medium site [ [link removed] ]


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State support advances First Mode Proving Grounds for hybrid hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered mining trucks?

Protoype hybrid mining truck photo

Lewis County could well become a symbol of Washington state?s robust and growing clean energy economy when zero-emission trucks the height of three-story buildings are seen rolling around the First Mode Proving Grounds later this year. First Mode, a global carbon reduction company that developed the world?s first integrated battery and hydrogen fuel cell powerplants for retrofitting the behemoth diesel-powered trucks, has established a proving grounds in Centralia, thanks in part to a $250,000 grant from the state economic development strategic reserve fund. Read more [ [link removed] ]


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Latest round of $70 million in state pandemic relief assists 3,787 small businesses

artsWA logo

Commerce, in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), has distributed $70 million in grants to 3,787 for-profit and nonprofit small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Funding provided through the?Working Washington Grants: Round 5 [ [link removed] ]?and?Convention Center Grant program [ [link removed] ]?is assisting businesses in all 39 Washington counties, including $42 million awarded to nearly 1,500 in the arts and cultural sector.??Read more [ [link removed] ]



screenshot from Filmworks promo video

*Speaking of Washington's creative economy...*.check out this video [ [link removed] ] from Washington Filmworks that shows how the film tax incentive is paying off.


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Housing projects for people experiencing homelessness will share $9-million federal grant
image depicting homelessness

Commerce was awarded a?$9 million grant [ [link removed] ]?last week from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will provide new housing for people experiencing homelessness in Island, Klickitat, Mason, Skamania, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima counties. Funds will be used over the next three years for a variety of supports including temporary rent assistance, project operations and supportive services for emergency housing assistance, as well as permanent housing solutions.

?Availability of rapid housing and supportive services is critical to bringing people inside today and preventing homelessness over the long term. This funding from HUD will immediately help to expand the work our service providers are able to do in communities all over the state,? said Gov. Jay Inslee. Read more [ [link removed] ]

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Funding and contracting opportunities

* *Clean Energy Fund, Electrification of Transportation Systems* grant, phase 1 applications due March 6??Learn more [ [link removed] ]?
* *Apple Health and Homes *grant applications due March 9?
Learn more [ [link removed] ]??
* *2023 HOME and National Housing Trust Fund* grant applications due March 22 Learn more [ [link removed] ]?
* *Clean Energy Fund Rural Clean Energy* grant applications due March 23 Learn more? [ [link removed] ]
* *Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities* grant applications due March 23 Learn more [ [link removed] ]?
* *Innovation Cluster Accelerator development* applications due
April 3 Learn more [ [link removed] ]?

*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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Get to know your Public Works Board

screenshot of PWB video [ [link removed] ]

Since 1985, the Washington State Public Works Board has been strengthening communities through financial and technical assistance for public health, safety and infrastructure needs. Learn more in this new video [ [link removed] ]?


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Are you passionate about making a difference? Think about joining Team Commerce.
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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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