Washington State Department of Commerce
@wastatecommerce
Washington State Department of Commerce official news and information. Our mission is to strengthen communities in our state. www.commerce.wa.gov
A round of applause for the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council! 👏 The Council's staff have been recognized as winners of the Washington State Disability Inclusion Network RADD (Respect, Acceptance, and Dignity for People with Disabilities) Award.
You're invited to a Climate Action Planning webinar! The 90-minute meeting will cover Washington’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), the climate and modeling results in the CCAP and the next steps for planning and implementation. Join us: Monday, July 27, 2 p.m. Register: heyor.ca/cZxDvQ
The Farnborough International Airshow has taken flight. 🛫 Washington aerospace companies & economic development partners are with Commerce to represent the ingenuity, expertise & collaborative spirit that defines our state’s aerospace industry at the world’s largest international show of the year.
At Seattle's Opening Ceremony of the PNW Climate Week- Building Toward an Affordable, Resilient & Prosperous Green Economy, Commerce employees participated in panel discussions & heard from Governor Bob Ferguson.
OCVA ha puesto en marcha la Iniciativa Compass para conocer qué necesitan las personas que han vivido situaciones de daño, maltrato o delito. Más información: heyor.ca/HSZlnn Participe en la encuesta: heyor.ca/mKI15T
The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) at Commerce has launched the Compass Initiative, a statewide assessment of what survivors of hurt, harm or crime need. If you have experienced hurt, harm or crime, we want to hear from you. Learn more: heyor.ca/HSZlnn Take the survey: heyor.ca/mKI15T
Commerce's Interim Energy Policy Director, Stephanie Celt, joined leaders in Tacoma for the opening panel of PNW Climate Week, Building a Climate Economy in the South Sound, to discuss how cross-sector partnerships can accelerate climate action while creating economic opportunity across the region.
Commerce’s Director of Tribal Relations, Al Andy, joined tribal, state, and federal leaders in witnessing the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation's Oath of Office ceremony.
The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan team kicked off a series of community roundtables across the state, including a stop at the Gonzaga Climate Institute in Spokane, to bring together local leaders to help shape Washington's climate future. Learn more: heyor.ca/ySwHBj
Amy Buckler will join Commerce as our Housing Division assistant director on Aug. 3! She'll lead 60 statewide programs and 200+ employees. A longtime public sector leader, Amy has worked for the City of Olympia and comes to us from the City of Centralia. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-hir...
The Washington Statewide Reentry Council is seeking six community‑minded leaders to help shape policies that strengthen reentry outcomes and support safer, more restorative systems across Washington. Learn more: heyor.ca/B0vZiY
$10 million in funding is available for Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) grants to support innovative and equitable projects that benefit your community. • Pre-application conference: 2 p.m. July 13 • Applications due: 4 p.m. Sept. 3 Learn more: heyor.ca/44Ut6K
Commerce is updating the state's Lead-Based Paint rules & wants to hear from contractors, training providers, property managers, community organizations & the public. • Public workshop: July 9 at 11 a.m. • Training provider workshop: July 14 at 4 p.m. Learn more & register: heyor.ca/NYPe41
We recently published a draft of the 2027 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Model Plan Application. This draft outlines how Washington provides energy assistance to low-income households and we want your feedback! Deadline: 10 a.m. Aug. 4, 2026 Survey: heyor.ca/WhBxaH
Mary Miller, interim deputy director of Tribal Relations, recently attended the 5th annual Willamette Falls Lamprey Celebration, hosted by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission at Clackamette Park in Oregon City.
We're helping turn waste into resources. Seven projects will receive $13.8 million from Commerce's Dairy Digest Program to help build, repair & upgrade systems that capture methane emissions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions & improve wastewater management. Read the news release: heyor.ca/ESgmXR
With support from Commerce’s Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program, the Economic Development Council of Mason County secured nearly $279,000 from the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program to help local farmers grow their businesses! Read more: www.commerce.wa.gov/edcmason-sec...
5 things to know about the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan: 1. It provides a roadmap to reach net-zero emissions 2. Focuses on lowering energy costs 3. Supports jobs & economic growth 4. Was developed with input from communities, tribes, & businesses 5. Strengthens energy reliability & resilience
Investment in childcare is an investment in Washington families. Commerce awarded $5.6 million in grants to 37 early learning providers to help renovate facilities and sustain existing childcare statewide. www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-inv...
Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates Black freedom, resilience, and culture. Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on our history, recognize the contributions of Black communities, and acknowledge the ongoing work toward equity for all.
Human trafficking happens every day, and major events can increase the risk. As we welcome visitors to Washington for the FIFA World Cup, it's important to know the signs of trafficking and how to respond if something doesn't seem right. For support, visit www.watraffickinghelp.org.
Join us for a free battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring your used batteries and help protect your community from preventable battery fires. • June 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Washington State Capitol, Olympia Battery take-back locations are available across WA: locator.batterynetwork.org
Washington’s climate plan is an economic strategy. It could save nearly $17 billion by 2050, create jobs, expand clean energy & lower costs across the state. This is about more than climate. It’s about affordability, competitiveness & a stronger economy. deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/bo1ly7ol0l...
Washington is investing in cleaner transportation, putting $37M toward new EV charging infrastructure across the state. It’s part of the WA Electric Vehicle Charging Program which helps fill critical charging gaps and will add 754 new charging ports by late 2027. www.commerce.wa.gov/washingtons-...
Join us as we wear orange to recognize the lives lost to gun violence every day, along with the many more who are injured, and the communities forever impacted. Together, we can create solutions to keep our communities safe, support survivors, and work to end gun violence in Washington.
In 2024, Commerce helped replace thermal receipt paper with safer, non-toxic alternatives. Traditional thermal receipts often contain chemicals linked to potential health risks. Washington State Ferries led the way ahead of the 2026 ban. Now, Washington State Parks has made the switch, too.
Happy Pride Month! 🌈 June is a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and recognize the ongoing work toward equality, acceptance, and belonging for all. Pride is a reminder that everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and allowed to be their authentic selves this month and every month.
When a hospital’s boiler system fails, it can quickly impact critical operations. With support from Commerce, Olympic Medical Center replaced two 50-year-old boilers with a modern system to improve reliability and support patient care for decades to come. Read: www.commerce.wa.gov/olympic-medi...
Washington’s Comprehensive Climate Plan means lower costs, cleaner energy, and stronger communities. Learn more: deptofcommerce.app.box.com/s/bo1ly7ol0l... #WAClimatePlan #CleanEnergyWA #ClimateAction
Invest. Build. Serve. is our Commerce Commitment. It comes to life through strategic directions guiding our work. We’re advancing equity & environmental justice & improving how collaborate with communities, turning strategy into real impact. Learn more: www.commerce.wa.gov/about/strate...