Washington State Department of Commerce

Congratulations to the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition on being awarded approximately $35 million through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program! The NOPRC was named a finalist out of 565 applications in late 2023, and is now one of six awardees receiving a total of $184 million in implementation grants. Led by Clallam County and supported by Jefferson County, this initiative aims to revitalize the natural resources industries in the North Olympic Peninsula, create jobs and workforce development opportunities, and renew the region’s economic competitiveness. It is supported by all local municipalities and unincorporated communities across the Peninsula, tribes, economic development agencies, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits. Commerce was thrilled to support the NOPRC’s successful Phase 2 application to the pilot program with a $500,000 grant to Clallam County through the Securing Federal Funding Initiative, funded by the Washington State Legislature. https://lnkd.in/gub7mEvB

If you or someone you know is between the ages of 16 and 25, and has experience or is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, the Office of Homeless Youth needs input. OHY and Point South Youth and Systems Change Partners have an opportunity for young people in Washington to co-design the process for a Direct Cash Transfers pilot program. They’re hosting in-person and virtual sessions this month for young people to contribute insights and create the new program. In-person sessions: • Tuesday, Aug. 20, 12 to 3 p.m., Tacoma • Wednesday, Aug. 21, 12 to 3 p.m., Toppenish • Thursday, Aug. 22, 12 to 3 p.m., Spokane Virtual sessions: • Tuesday, Aug. 27, 3 to 5 p.m., Zoom • Wednesday, Aug. 28, 3 to 5 p.m., Zoom Location and login information will be shared after registration. Register: https://heyor.ca/Gvlohu

Happy International Cat Day from Roark and Tui! There’s nothing these two love more than helping their mom while she works. That’s possible thanks to Commerce’s hybrid working model. It allows our team members to work from home alongside their furry friends, at one of our office locations, or a combination of both. If you’re on the hunt for a new job, check out our open positions for the purr-fect opportunity. New positions are added weekly, just like cat hair on black pants. https://lnkd.in/gq3GKkc

Our Housing Division is recruiting members for the Community Advisory Team, a new sub-committee of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. This is not a decision-making team, but will act as a hub for collecting community input, and ensuring accountability to equity, anti-racism, and housing justice principles across housing programs. Join an informational webinar to learn more: • Monday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m., Register: https://heyor.ca/LG88OK • Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Register: https://heyor.ca/5apIjN Membership applications are due Tuesday, Sept. 17. Get full details: https://heyor.ca/TGwPnR

ICYMI: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced nearly $1 billion in funding through the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program! This is the first funding opportunity from the program, and is focused on supporting communities most impacted by the digital divide. Who can apply? • Non-profits • Local schools and educational agencies • Workforce development groups • Government agencies and tribes • Community anchor institutions • U.S. territories These grants will fund projects helping those hit hardest by digital disparities – such as low-income households, seniors, justice-impacted individuals, and people living with disabilities, rural communities, and diverse racial and ethnic minority groups. Applications are due Monday, Sept. 23. Find more information: https://lnkd.in/d9q85xqx

Kathleen Harvey, interim executive director of our Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention – Community Safety Unit, recently attended a historic meeting at the White House. This first-ever convening led by the federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention Deputy Directors Rob Wilcox and Greg Jackson brought together over 30 officials from 16 states, including leaders from 12 state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. They gathered to share strategies, raise awareness, and identify collaboration efforts. Kathleen was joined by partners Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, director of UW Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program, and July Simpson, Washington Assistant Attorney General. Photo 1 caption: Kathleen Harvey (center) with Reggie Moore (left), director of Community Safety Policy and Engagement at Medical College of Wisconsin and Greg Jackson (right), White House Deputy Director of Gun Violence Prevention.

You need money to get a small business loan, but you need a loan to get money. It’s a Catch-22 dilemma. Commerce is here to help. Are you a very small business in an underserved area? Learn more about a variety of loan programs, including the Small Business FlexFund 2, by visiting the StartUp Washington Blog: https://heyor.ca/SUEOt0

Commerce’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention - Community Safety Unit is accepting applications for the State Crisis Intervention Program through Sept. 8. This grant funding is to help jurisdictions in need of additional capacity and tools to safely secure, store, track, and return relinquished firearms. It's aimed at adhering to firearms relinquishment laws and orders like Orders to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Eligible jurisdictions include cities, counties, towns, townships, and federally recognized tribes. • Tribal pre-proposal conference: Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m., Join on Zoom: https://heyor.ca/JtTZhU • General pre-proposal conference: Aug. 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., Join on Zoom: https://heyor.ca/bAQf5u • Proposals Due: Sept. 8 More information: https://heyor.ca/RBR1An

Nora Hawkins, Senior Energy Policy Specialist at the Washington State Department of Commerce, shares how new technologies invented at the Grid Storage Launchpad can spur economic development and help mitigate climate change. ⚡ #GSLatPNNL

You may be eligible for a one-time $200 credit from your utility thanks to the Washington Families Clean Energy Credit Program. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Visit WACleanEnergyCredits.com 2. Enter your utility, account number and address 3. Complete the application before September 15