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Welcome to the Washington Wire
The Washington Wire aims to be your first resource for receiving economic development information from around the state. The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) is bringing together news, insights, and announcements from our statewide partners in order to create a single location for those looking to keep up to date on business developments in Washington state. We encourage you to subscribe to our RSS feed to get real-time updates on the latest economic development news.

Xconomy: “Biotech gaining ground in Washington state, report says”
July 1, 2009 – Washington’s biotech industry is making significant progress, according to a report produced by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Washington researchers and companies have developed 119 new medicines – including 46 new cancer treatments and 18 heart disease treatments – which are now being tested in clinical trials. At the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute earlier this week, Gov. Chris Gregoire spoke optimistically about the report and the state’s future role in disease treatment and prevention. She is confident that Washington will continue to move the national biotech industry forward with its innovative research and development of cures for diseases. To learn more, read the story from Xconomy.

State promotes aerospace base at Paris Air Show
July 1, 2009 – Washington’s presence at the Paris Air Show in early June positioned the state favorably among the international aerospace industry and resulted in around 80 meetings for state aerospace companies. The aerospace trade show provided an opportunity for the state to promote its aerospace base and build relationships with aerospace companies from around the world. Eleven aerospace companies from the Northwest joined the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), Aerospace Futures Alliance and Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance at the Air Show where they organized a Washington aerospace pavilion. To learn more, read the story in the Everett Herald.

KPBJ: “‘New’ state commerce department solicits local input”
July 1, 2009 – Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), recently visited with Kitsap business leaders as part of the Commerce Connections tour. As CTED prepares to transition to the Department of Commerce, Director Weed is reaching out to community business owners and government leaders to identify the state’s strengths and weaknesses related to economic development as well as understand what local businesses need from the new agency. Feedback and comments from local business leaders will be compiled and incorporated into a progressive plan that will give the Department of Commerce its new direction. To learn more about the Kitsap meeting, read the story in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal. Visit CTED’s Web site to learn more about Commerce Connections.

Kent aerospace company working with Airservices Australia
June 25, 2009 – Naverus announced today it secured a contract with the national air traffic control organization of Australia. Naverus will work with Airservices Australia over the next five years to develop air traffic navigations systems for the country’s airports. The Kent-based aerospace company developed Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to optimize aircraft departure and approach flight paths using Global Positioning Technology (GPS). The technology will be implemented at up to 28 Australian airports and help to reduce aircraft emissions and noise, lower flight miles and conserve fuel. For more information, read the release from Naverus.

Funding will improve Port of Pasco, create jobs  June 24, 2009 – The Port of Pasco will get a $1.5 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration. The money will help the port improve nine large warehouse bays at the Big Pasco Industrial Center. The improvements at the Big Pasco Industrial Center are expected to create about 400 jobs over the next 10 years. Learn more from the Tri-City Herald

Seattle a top city for young professionals to live and work June 24, 2009 – Seattle is the number two hotspot for young professionals to live and work, according to Next Generation Consulting’s Next Cities™ study. The rankings weighed U.S. cities’ quality of life criteria including earning potential, access to learning, vitality, entertainment and recreation options, cost of lifestyle and social capital and also studied residential and relocation patterns among 20- to 40-year-olds. Seattle’s assets, opportunities and amenities attract and retain a young, educated workforce, earning it a spot on the list. To learn more about the study, see the report from Next Generation Consulting.

The News Tribune: “Possible record-breaking cherry harvest under way in Mid-Columbia”
June 22, 2009 – The first harvest of Chelan cherries is underway in the Mid-Columbia region, and harvests in the Yakima Valley and Wenatchee will begin the coming days. The Washington Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service predicts a record crop this year. The agency projects 200,000 tons of cherries will be harvested, which would be 19 percent larger than the record 168,000 ton harvest in 2006. A strong harvest will increase the number of seasonal farm workers and grow the state’s agricultural presence in the U.S. and nationally. Cherries are consistently a strong export for the state’s agriculture industry, and many tons are traded with Japan, Korea and Taiwan annually. For more information, read the story in The News Tribune.

The Herald: “State's new commerce director shares his business principles”
June 22, 2009 – Rogers Weed, the director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), is currently visiting communities and speaking with business leaders across the state as part of the Commerce Connections tour. Director Weed sat down with The Herald to discuss his commitments to job retention and creation in Washington, growing business and acting as a connection between the business community and state government as CTED transitions to the Department of Commerce. To learn about Weed’s guiding business principles, read the story in The Herald.

Tri-Cities, Yakima named best places to start over by BusinessWeek
June 18, 2009 – BusinessWeek named Kennewick-Pasco-Richland and Yakima as the third and fourth best places to get a fresh start in today’s economy. The study indentified 20 U.S. markets “where jobs are available and real estate is affordable.” Washington is highlighted for its federal government and defense jobs, which have helped the economy. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland is noted for its strong manufacturing, food processing, retail trade and services economy, and as home to Washington State University-Tri-Cities and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Yakima is recognized as a rich agricultural area, including growing about 75 percent of all hops, and producing apples and wine. View the slideshow in BusinessWeek here. Or, read the stories in the Tri-Cities Herald and Yakima Herald.

Olympia’s Intercity Transit is nation’s best transit system
June 18, 2009 – Olympia’s Intercity Transit was recognized as the best medium-sized transit system in the country by the American Public Transportation Association. The award is one of the transit industry’s top awards and is based on safety, ridership growth, financial management and community involvement. From 2006 to 2008, ridership of Intercity Transit increased by more than 50 percent and the system served five million passengers annually. Ridership continues to rise this year as Intercity Transit served 144,000 more passengers from January to March than one year earlier. For more information, read the story in The Olympian.

Tri-City Herald: “Tri-Cities job growth continues onward”
June 18, 2009 – Federal funding is stimulating the Tri-Cities’ economy. Since April, more than 1,200 jobs have been created by the Department of Energy Hanford Site and local construction, food processing, wholesale and retail trade industries. Warm weather is also to credit for a strong asparagus crop and increased tourism in the area. Tri-Cities’ economic outlook remains positive as locals expect to add jobs in food services, business services and engineering in addition to seasonal agriculture jobs. For more information, read the story in the Tri-City Herald.

Energy stimulus funding awarded to Washington Technology Center
June 18, 2009 – Washington Technology Center has been awarded $136,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy "Photovoltaic Supply Chain and Cross-Cutting Technologies" program, for a project to develop nano-scale imprinting methods to enhance thin-film silicon solar energy technology. The program will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Click here to read the press release.

Life Sciences Discovery Fund accepting pre-proposals for Commercialization Grants Competition
June 18, 2009 – The Life Sciences Discovery Fund is accepting pre-proposals for its 2009 Summer Commercialization Grants Competition. The grants will fund research and development of new technologies to help them move toward commercialization. The grants will be up to $150,000 for work to be completed within one year. Two-page proposals are due July 15 and full proposals will be due Sept. 9. The awards will be announced in December. To learn more, visit the Life Sciences Discovery Fund Web site.

Wenatchee World: “Data centers keep economy humming”
June 16, 2009 – Data centers in Quincy have stimulated the city and Grant County economies. Microsoft, Yahoo and Intuit currently operate data centers in Quincy, and Sabey Corp. will break ground on three data center buildings this summer. Sales and property tax revenues are up considerably, and as a result property taxes are down for nearly three-fourth of parcels in the county. Companies are attracted to the region’s access to high speed fiber, climate, property values and lack of natural disasters. The county’s low electricity costs are particularly attractive to the data centers because they require great amounts of electricity to cool the facilities. To learn more, read the Wenatchee World story.

World health leaders convene in Seattle for Pacific Health Summit
 June 16, 2009 – As the Pacific Health Summit convenes in Seattle this week, 250 world leaders in science, policy, public health, medicine and business will collaborate to discuss policies for prevention, detection and treatment of diseases. This year’s agenda will focus on tuberculosis, or TB, as leaders hope to bring awareness and funding to one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. As home to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington Medical Research Center and numerous biotech companies researching treatment and cures for diseases, Seattle is a leading innovator in the global health industry and the second most influential high-tech region in the world, according to a Milken Institute report.  To learn more about the Pacific Health Summit, read the story from Xconomy.com.

Ellensburg wind farm adding 22 turbines
June 16, 2009 – Twenty-two additional turbines are under construction at the Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg. The new towers join the facility’s existing 127 turbines and add 44 megawatts of generation capacity to the project’s current peak capacity of 230 megawatts. Construction is expected to be completed by early July.  The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility is approved to construct up to 158 turbines. For more information, read the story in the Ellensburg Daily. Record.

New York Times: “Green jobs sector 'poised for explosive growth,' study says”
June 11, 2009 – The clean energy industry is exploding in the U.S., according to a study published by Pew Charitable Trusts. National clean energy jobs numbered 777,000 in 2007 – a 9.1 percent increase from 1998. Investors also recognize the industry’s potential and growth; in 2008, nearly 80 percent of venture capital funding went to clean energy. In Washington, nearly 17,000 workers are employed in the clean energy industry. The state’s clean energy jobs represent .55 percent of all jobs in the state and exceed the national average of .49 percent. To advance Washington’s clean energy industry and green economy, energy industry business and community leaders recently convened at the Washington State Energy Summit. Visit the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Web site to learn more about the Energy Summit. For more information on the nation’s clean energy industry, read the New York Times story or see the Pew Charitable Trusts study here.

Recipients of 2009 Smart Communities Awards announced
June 8, 2009 – Gov. Chris Gregoire announced nine communities receiving the 2009 Smart Communities Awards for creating livable communities. Hoquiam, Walla Walla, Mountlake Terrace, Everett, and Puyallup were recognized as the top cities, and King County and the City of Issaquah were recognized for partnering on transit-oriented development projects. The communities of Pasco, Richland and Kennewick in partnership with Benton and Franklin Counties were honored for their work on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.

 “As Washington recovers from this downturn in the economy, the work of local governments and their partners in creating vibrant, quality communities is vital to success,” said Gregoire. “The leadership of these award winners helps to make Washington a great state in which to live and do business.”

To learn more about the Smart Communities awards, read Gov. Gregoire’s release.

Aerospace Council members announced

June 8, 2009 – Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the members of the newly established Washington Council on Aerospace. Chaired by Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed, the council includes five leaders from Washington’s aerospace industry, four higher education representatives and state legislator representatives from aerospace-driven communities. The council will oversee state efforts to ensure that Washington remains the leading location in the world to design and build airplanes. The council conducts its first meeting June 24.

“I am confident we have put together the best team to maintain Washington’s competitiveness in the aerospace industry,” Gregoire said. “I look forward to working together with this council to ensure we are doing all we can to be even more competitive.”

To see the full list of Washington Council on Aerospace members, read Gov. Gregoire’s announcement

The Olympian: “Rogers Weed: The state’s commerce director talks about his new role”

June 8, 2009 – Described by Gov. Gregoire as “the very essence of an innovator,” newly appointed Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed hit the ground running nine weeks ago. In a Q&A with The Olympian, Weed discusses his experience as a former Microsoft executive, priorities since taking office, visions for the state’s aerospace and energy industries and Washington’s economic strengths. Read the article in the Olympian here.

Bellevue-Everett-Seattle region second most influential high-tech center in world
June 3, 2009 – The Milken Institute this week recognized Washington’s Bellevue-Everett-Seattle region as the second most influential high-tech center in the world. The region earned the ranking based on its ability to recruit, grow and sustain thriving high-tech industries. Milken Institute’s rankings compared high-tech centers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for its report titled “North America’s High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries.” Bellevue-Everett-Seattle region’s technological innovation and diverse tech industries, including software, clean tech and biotech, contribute greatly to the area’s overall economy. See the full Milken Institute report here.

Moody’s Economy.com predicts Washington’s job growth will recover faster than other states
June 3, 2009 – A new forecast from Moody’s Economy.com predicts that job growth will return first in Washington and four other states. The prediction is partially attributed to Washington’s strong high-tech industry and better credit ratings. Read the full article on msnbc.com or visit Moody’s Economy.com for more information.

Export grain terminal to be built at Port of Longview
June 3, 2009 – The first export grain terminal built in the U.S. in over two decades will come to the Port of Longview. The project is owned by joint venture EGT Development, LLC, a partnership between Bunge North America, Inc., ITOCHU and STX Pan Ocean. EGT Development is estimated to invest more than $200 million in the facility, with the port constructing the ship dock at a cost of about $6 million. The grain facility at the port will provide significant local and regional economic benefits, employment, revenue to the port, and contribution to the local tax base. Construction is expected to begin this summer. To learn more, read the port’s press release or the article in the Seattle Times.

PSBJ releases Fastest-Growing Public Companies list
June 3, 2009 – The Puget Sound Business Journal ranked Washington’s Fastest-Growing Public Companies based on their three-year compounded annual percent change in revenue. Several companies made their debut appearance on the list, including Cell Therapeutics at number one and Oncothyreon Inc. at number two, and Microsoft and Amazon.com both remained on the list. Two Bothell biotech companies, Helix Biomedix Inc. and Seattle Genetics Inc., earned spots in the top five, exemplifying the region’s excellence in biotech. Bothell was selected for a biomedical and biotech Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ) by Gov. Gregoire. The center is one of 11 IPZs created to partner research, workforce training and globally competitive companies in the development of new technologies. To see the list of fastest-growing companies, read the May 22 print issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal. For more information on IPZs, visit the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Web site.

AWB and Washington Wine Commission exploring trade opportunities with Hong Kong
June 1, 2009 – The Association of Washington Business (AWB) met with Hong Kong's Commissioner of the Economic and Trade Office, Donald C K Tong J.P, to explore additional trade and business opportunities with the state. Tong has also recently worked with the Washington Wine Commission to expand the selection of Washington wines and increase wine tourism in Hong Kong. AWB's president, Don Brunell, will meet with Tong again June 10 to discuss opportunities for Washington and Hong Kong to partner. Read the post at Olympia Business Watch for more information. Or, read an editorial in the Seattle Times that discusses Washington’s wine export opportunities with Hong Kong.

Washington building relationships with Saudi Arabia
June 1, 2009 – Washington’s business and government leaders convened to exchange ideas with Abdullah Alireza, Saudi Arabia’s minister of Commerce and Industry, and explore opportunities for Saudi Arabia and Washington to collaborate and expand trade. Recently, Saudi Arabia has focused on funding agricultural growth to support its population. Washington’s ability to cultivate arid areas and produce bountiful harvests could provide an example to Saudi Arabia’s similar lands and challenges. Alireza also discussed his country’s need for wheat and alfalfa imports and hinted at importing Washington’s agricultural crops. To learn more, read the story from the Puget Sound Business Journal.