Egils Milbergs appointed Director of the Washington Economic Development Commission
Bio | News Release |

Egils Milbergs – Executive Director
Economic Development Commission
Davis Williams Bldg, Floor 2
906 Columbia Street SW
Olympia WA 98504
(360) 725-2750 w
EgilsM@CTED.WA.GOV

Background

In 2002, Governor Gary Locke formed the Washington Economic Development Commission, asking the business community to assist in the improvement and development of the state's economy. Acting on the advice of the Competitiveness Council, the Governor created the Commission by executive order and appointed private-sector business and labor leaders to provide policy oversight and long-term guidance on the best ways for the state to develop its economy. The Commission was codified by the 2003 Legislature.

The 2007 Legislature unanimously adopted Second Substitute Senate Bill 5995, which significantly restructured the Economic Development Commission.   The most significant changes included:

• Responsibility for the evaluation of the State’s economic development systems, and comprehensive strategic planning for State economic development.
• An expanded membership, appointed by the Governor.
• Transition from a CTED advisory body to an independent State commission.
• Administration by an Executive Director, hired by the Governor, and an annual operating budget of $250,000.

Responsibilities

Today, the Economic Development Commission is charged with the creation of a comprehensive statewide economic development strategic plan to guide the operation of the State's economic development programs, infrastructure, workforce training, small business assistance, technology transfer, and export assistance.  In doing so, the Economic Development Commission is asked to focus on Governor Gregoire's "Next Washington" economic development plan and the recommendations of the Global Competitiveness Council.

Connection to CTED

Although the Economic Development Commission is no longer an advisory board, managed by CTED, the agency will continue to have a very close relationship with the Commission.   The Director of CTED is an ex-officio member of the Commission, and CTED is the primary service provider of economic development services and service coordination.