Krista Perez (she/her), Strategic Partnerships Manager for Commerce's Community Reinvestment Program, works closely with the Washington Employment Security Department & 12 Workforce Development Councils to distribute millions of dollars to communities statewide. Watch: youtu.be/7g5Y94E4v1o

Happy International Women’s Day to the incredible women across Washington! This year’s theme, Give to Gain, reminds us that when we invest in women, we create stronger communities through generosity, opportunity, and support. #IWD2026

Congrats to Dave Andersen, managing director of Growth Management Services, for being named to the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners! This peer recognition for transformational planning work is the AICP's highest honor. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerces-da...

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is building climate resilience rooted in culture and community. With support from Commerce, the Tribe has used investments to protect natural resources, strengthen housing and reduce long-term energy costs. Read the story: www.commerce.wa.gov/the-jamestow...

The Young Entrepreneur Academy’s Pitch Unit teaches entrepreneurs how to identify their core values & connect with investors. Read our latest blog from Young Adult Advisory Council Member Lord-Vincent Crutcher to learn how the unit was created & why it matters. mystartup365.com/reclaiming-t...

Washington reached a major milestone in closing the digital divide. The NTIA approved the State Broadband Office's final Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment Program proposal, clearing the way to award $1B+ to expand high-speed internet across the state. www.commerce.wa.gov/ntia-approve...

Homeownership builds stability. Not just for families, but for entire communities. Through the Community Reinvestment Plan Homeownership Capital Accelerator, we’re investing in financial coaching & housing development. The impact goes far beyond the front door. 🏡 youtu.be/lzHe2ZZ6-P4

Kate Pedersen recently shared insights from workshops with Commerce grantees & communities strengthening local energy resilience. The sessions bring communities together to tackle real-world energy challenges & identify solutions that build stronger, more prepared communities. youtu.be/Qd7GPNJMu2g

The Clean Energy States Alliance recognized Glenn Blackmon with the Lewis M. Milford Clean Energy Champion Award! During his 15 years at Commerce, Glenn helped shape ambitious clean energy & climate policies. His legacy will have a lasting impact on WA communities. www.cesa.org/projects/cle...

Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮 As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we celebrate strength, perseverance, and forward momentum. May the year ahead bring progress, partnership, and new opportunities for communities across Washington.

Branding your business is just as important as your idea. It’s how you stand out, build trust, and connect with your audience. Learn more about why it matters in our latest Young Entrepreneur Academy blog. mystartup365.com/lets-talk-br...

Community Action Agencies are the first call families make when they need help. Our role at Commerce is to make that call easier to answer. Commerce staff recently joined leaders from Washington State Community Action Partnership for an in-person summit focused on strengthening our partnership.

Our WA Families Clean Energy Credits Grant Program, which supported households by providing $200 credits to assist with energy bills in 2024, was officially selected for the 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs list to celebrate people and projects making government better! apolitical.co/list/en/50-s...

Today, Commerce team members are at the 25th PNAA ADVANCE Conference with aerospace leaders from across the country and around the world. Aerospace is part of our DNA — from Boeing’s 100+ year legacy to today’s 1,500+ suppliers powering a $71B industry.

Commerce joined partners to celebrate last week’s ribbon cutting for the Samaki Commons EV charging station project. This new site expands access to electric vehicle charging in Rainier Valley, supporting cleaner transportation, local sustainability goals, and community-focused development.

The Winter Olympics are here! Over the next 2 weeks, we’re going to show our support for all our U.S. Olympians by celebrating the spirit of the Games. No matter the sport, we’re chasing gold for Washington communities. If our divisions were Olympic sports, here’s how they’d shine:

Feeling stuck in the job market? Ready to take ownership of your career? The Young Entrepreneur Academy Young Adult Advisory Council member Mazzy Eckel shares her story and why the Young Entrepreneur Academy is creating new paths forward for young adults. Read: mystartup365.com/creating-you...

In this week’s Commerce in the News: HOMES-HOMES-HOMES! 🏡 Commerce has released millions through two awards that will bring thousands of new homes to the state. Housing Trust Fund awards: heyor.ca/0rdWUh Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) awards: heyor.ca/GEGFan

Starting a business is hard, and it can be even harder for teens and young adults. That’s why Commerce, @washingtonesd.bsky.social, and the Young Adult Advisory Council partnered to create the Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA). mystartup365.com/introducing-...

We've announced $3M to local and tribal partners to integrate salmon recovery efforts into comprehensive planning. These investments support stronger land management and enforcement strategies that protect habitat and improve water quality. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-boo...

Gov. Ferguson appointed Sarah Clifthorne interim Commerce Director effective Jan. 20. Sarah has served as Commerce’s deputy director since February 2025. In this role, she'll work closely with agency leadership to help with the transition process. governor.wa.gov/news/2026/go...

Commerce has $32.4M available to assist public and private building owners in complying with the Clean Buildings Performances Standard. This competitive request for applications is open to private, public, and tribal building owners. Full details: www.commerce.wa.gov/funding/clea...

We announced $54.5 million in grants to create nearly 5,000 affordable housing units across WA. These awards are part of the latest round of the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program, which helps cover critical water infrastructure costs. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-inv...

Commerce announced 47 awards from the state and federal Housing Trust Funds, totaling $208 million, to support affordable housing construction and rehabilitation in 19 counties across Washington. These funds will create 2,461 units. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-ann...

In this week's Commerce in the News: • A community turns an unexpected gift into child care • Habitat projects help families put down roots in Clark County • AI House is energizing innovation on the waterfront www.youtube.com/shorts/sC6r0...

Beto Yarce joins us to lead Community Engagement & Outreach! He brings experience in community & economic development across nonprofit, government, & business sectors. Most recently, he served as SBA administrator, supporting 1.3M small businesses across the PNW. www.commerce.wa.gov/beto-yarce-j...

Aerospace growth in Spokane means more than innovation — it means opportunity. ✈️ From K-12 exposure to advanced manufacturing careers, Commerce is working with industry and education partners to build the workforce of tomorrow — strengthening WA's aerospace sector statewide. youtu.be/Z1I_Xr_RJB8

Owning a home is a milestone. It's now within reach for hundreds in WA. We announced $63M to 43 projects to create 621 first-time homebuyers across the state. The funding supports new home construction, down payment assistance & permanently affordable homes. content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAD...

We're accepting applications for the 2027-29 Library Capital Improvement Program’s funding round through April 15. Grants fund up to 50% of eligible capital costs, up to $2M for the acquisition, construction or renovation of library facilities. Details: www.commerce.wa.gov/capital-faci...

Commerce recently met with leaders from across Washington’s aerospace ecosystem to spotlight the innovation happening in the greater Spokane area. As Spokane’s aerospace sector grows, it strengthens the workforce pipeline and competitiveness of our state. Watch: youtu.be/06LnYJR5bdM

With support from Commerce, Portal Space Systems is expanding in Bothell with a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, supporting advanced spacecraft production and future job growth. Read Portal's story: choosewashingtonstate.com/portal-space...

2025 reminded us growth happens together. From rural towns to big cities, communities & partnerships help shape the projects, policies & investments that move WA forward. In 2026, we’ll keep investing, building & serving because strong communities are built together. youtu.be/suBQKLsUTuc

“Why don’t we have solar?” For the Swinomish Tribe, that question sparked a clean energy transformation grounded in stewardship, resilience, and responsibility to future generations. Read about their story and partnership with Commerce: www.commerce.wa.gov/how-swinomis...

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program exists to make sure people living in nursing homes and community-based settings are heard, respected and treated with dignity. In partnership with Commerce, this work strengthens resident rights and supports advocacy statewide. Watch: youtu.be/LYhNs3bce3E

We opened a small grants funding round to support planning & readiness activities for capital projects of licensed WA nonprofits. Projects should be expected to be completed or shovel-ready within 5 years. Initial project summaries due Jan. 20, 2026. Details: www.commerce.wa.gov/funding/requ...

Last week, Commerce met with leaders from across Washington’s aerospace ecosystem to spotlight the innovation happening in the greater Spokane area. This growth creates well-paying jobs for the region and long-term opportunities for communities across Eastern Washington. youtu.be/FfvfrYvMnLs

Clallam County EDC recently received $200,000 from the Strategic Reserve Fund for infrastructure improvements at the Forks Industrial Park in preparation for the arrival of Riverside Forest Products. The new sawmill & local jobs are just part of the story: choosewashingtonstate.com/community-co...

Gov. Ferguson is directing $350,000 from the Strategic Reserve Fund to support the manufacturing expansion of Portal Space Systems, builder of the first commercial next-gen spacecraft, Supernova. 700+ tech, manufacturing & engineering jobs are expected by 2030. www.commerce.wa.gov/governor-fer...

Thousands of rural residents and businesses in Okanogan and Ferry counties are getting connected. 🌐 With a $3.96 million grant from the Washington State Broadband Office and a $1.3 million match from Ziply, over 2,000 locations are getting connected. Read more: www.commerce.wa.gov/state-broadb...

Access to child care remains a challenge in WA. We've announced $680,000 in Child Care Partnership Grants funding to 13 organizations to help close the gap. Funding will support planning and strategies to increase availability and meet each community’s needs. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-awa...

Gov. Ferguson appointed Jordan Arnold to lead the State Broadband Office to develop and implement high-speed internet across Washington. She's a public policy professional with experience working in the Biden White House. Her first day is Jan. 2, 2026. Read: www.commerce.wa.gov/governor-app...

Big news for northern Hood Canal communities! 💻 With support from the State Broadband Office’s Broadband Infrastructure Program, Hood Canal Communications is expanding fiber internet along Highway 101. Read more about the projects we're spotlighting: www.commerce.wa.gov/state-broadb...

We’ve awarded $5.6M to 11 Community Development Financial Institutions through the Equitable Access to Credit Program, helping them provide training, technical assistance, and loans to borrowers who may not be eligible for traditional bank loans. Read more: www.commerce.wa.gov/underserved-...

The State Broadband Office visited infrastructure projects bringing high-speed internet to rural communities in Ferry, Jefferson, Kittitas, Okanogan & Stevens counties. These stories show how investments connect communities to opportunity, services, & each other. www.commerce.wa.gov/state-broadb...

What started in a Richland garage is now shaping the future of clean energy. OCOchem is transforming CO₂ into a valuable fuel that can power vehicles, support clean manufacturing and create new jobs. Innovation built in Washington. Impact felt everywhere. Read: www.commerce.wa.gov/turning-carb...

The Commerce WorkFirst team is coming to town, and we need your input to make grant applications easier and build a more equitable Washington. Date: Nov. 13, 2025 Time: 1 – 3:30 p.m. Location: Wenatchee Valley WorkSource, 270 Ninth St. NE, Suite 240, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 RSVP: heyor.ca/txotBc

Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster’s new incubator gives startups shared labs, equipment & a community of innovators solving real-world challenges together. Supported by Commerce, Evergreen Bio is building the next chapter of Washington's bioscience future. youtu.be/yPR9uvjE7qg

🌿 Strengthening partnerships, sharing knowledge. Tribal planners from across Washington gathered earlier this month for the annual Tribal Planners’ Gathering — a day dedicated to collaborating, learning, and advancing shared goals. Watch: youtu.be/-g9-78EqAOM

WA is leading the way in clean energy! Director Joe Nguyễn recently participated in a panel discussion to share how innovation & sustainability work together to create real progress. Hear how clean energy is shaping WA’s leadership in the next generation of global industries. youtu.be/wMkLIgc3nmk

Concerts for Hope bring beauty, humanity & connection into Washington’s prisons. In partnership with the Washington Statewide Reentry Council, this initiative helps create space for reflection, empathy, and healing- making reentry more successful & communities safer. youtu.be/72bboixBuv0