STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
Strengthening Communities is our job With more than 100 programs serving municipalities, economic development organizations, tribes and non-profit agencies, the Department of Commerce focuses on strengthening communities all over the state. We do that by building infrastructure, such as water and sewer systems, community centers, energy and downtown revitalization projects.
From simplifying regulatory processes so businesses can open more quickly to helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into profits and jobs, we are growing Washington’s economy, one opportunity at a time.
By removing roadblocks to success for individuals, families and civic leaders, we are serving communities whether it’s helping people out of poverty, battling human trafficking or tackling the crisis of affordable housing and homelessness. Commerce is dedicated to ensuring that every Washington community has access to the resources they need to improve lives, sustain the environment and support growth.
SERVING COMMUNITIES
A strong community is essential for economic prosperity. Our name “Commerce� often makes people think of us first as championing business and economic development. We do that, but more important is the notion that a healthy, safe community is the foundation for economic prosperity. One can’t exist without the other. Community development and economic development are two sides of the same coin. Vibrant economies are the lifeblood for successful businesses and self-sufficient people. Our job at Commerce is to help communities achieve positive growth. We do that through a broad portfolio of programs, services and funding opportunities. We are your partners for improving downtown buildings, water systems, schools, affordable housing, public safety, human services, parks and greenways, a clean environment and other essential community assets.
Investing for success in Palouse, Whitman County The 16 cities and towns of Whitman County share a commitment to making this pastoral Columbia Basin region known as “the Palouse” a safe, friendly and healthy place to live. Part of that vision means careful planning for growth and economic development that preserves or enhances the quality of life and natural resources that make Whitman County special. The city of Palouse faced significant challenges in funding capital improvements, including water system infrastructure, cleanup work of a contaminated former Palouse Producers site, as well as funding vital public health and safety projects. We worked with community leaders to secure technical assistance, state and federal funds for required critical areas and natural resource planning, a new wastewater system, cleanup and monitoring of the brownfields site and funds to recover and retain criminal justice jobs. The resulting transformation is nothing short of spectacular. This is just one example of how Commerce’s experienced outreach professionals provide individualized attention, in the field, to help identify and focus myriad resources from multiple sources on the unique requirements of rural communities. At the county level, Commerce has helped fund an industrial wastewater extension, industrial building construction, renewable energy and telecommunications infrastructure, street and utilities development, rail spur construction and IPX Commercialization Center planning. From Albion to UnionTown, we work with local officials to strengthen Whitman County communities.
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RECENT ACTIVITY
communities served
INFRASTRUCTURE & remediation PROJECTS
Albion
COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS
Colton
2 economic development PROJECTS
1 9
HOUSING FINANCE PROJECT
Colfax
Endicott Farmington Garfield LaCrosse Lamont Malden
commUnity service, pUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELESSNESS PROJECTS
Oakesdale Palouse Pullman Rosalia Tekoa UnionTown
Photo courtesy of Vickie McLeod
GROWING THE ECONOMY
Creating a prosperous, sustainable economy goes hand in hand with building world-class communities. One cannot exist without the other. As the state’s economic development agency, the Department of Commerce focuses on strengthening Washington’s key industries, providing access to funding, expanding international trade, encouraging entrepreneurship, helping small businesses grow, championing workforce training for a new generation of jobs, and supporting the work of our local economic development councils in all 39 Washington counties.
Removing barriers in Longview, Cowlitz County We rely on a strong network of community partners to deliver services and funding through more than 100 programs. In Cowlitz county, one of those key partners is Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP). They use Commerce funding for affordable housing and homeless services, senior and disabled transportation programs, food banks, hot meal sites, employment services and weatherization and energy assistance. Community Action Programs around the state share a mission to help low-income individuals and families “achieve their dreams for a better life.” Kelso’s Grounds for Opportunity café, a social enterprise of the CAP, provides job skills training for unemployed residents. Helped by state Community Services and Community Development Block Grants, they operate a popular full-service café and also prepare nutritious, free meals for seniors. Cowlitz County Family Change is a success story from the 100-Day Challenge to Fight Homelessness. Led by the Vulnerable Families Partnership with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this joint effort led by Commerce, DSHS and the Governor’s Office implemented best practices to end family homelessness and promote lasting systems change. In Cowlitz County, the CAP worked alongside local housing agencies to develop new partnerships with community providers and local landlords. As a result, 19 homeless families were identified and housed during the Challenge, and continue to receive services to address their barriers to permanent housing.
RECENT ACTIVITY
communities served
INFRASTRUCTURE & remediation PROJECTS
Castle Rock
5
COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS
Kelso
3
economic development PROJECTS
Woodland
4
HOUSING FINANCE PROJECTS
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14
Kalama
Longview
Cowlitz Tribe
commUnity service, pUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELESSNESS PROJECTS
Photo courtesy of Lower Columbia CAP
Healthy communities require modern infrastructure to maintain a good quality of life and sustainable economic growth. Commerce works with public leaders and private partners to identify and fund projects related to domestic and industrial water, stormwater, wastewater, public buildings, telecommunications, port facilities, business parks, affordable housing and other community infrastructure projects.
BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
GROWING OPPORTUNITY IN ADAMS COUNTY One of the largest wheat producers in the state, Adams County is a beautiful agricultural and livestock ranching community first settled in 1869. Of more than 7,000 local jobs, almost three quarters are non-durable goods manufacturing – primarily French fries, a booming export product for Washington state. It’s also a transportation hub, where Interstate 90 and Highway 395 intersect in Ritzville, the largest city in this county of just over 19,000. Lind and Hatton are also on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s Great Northern Corridor. The Port of Othello is home to Bruce Industrial Park and a water system capable of delivering 222 million gallons of water to future users. Over the past 10 years, Commerce has helped Adams County envision and fund a bright future. Water and sewer system upgrades and a new water system management program for the town of Lind provide a sustainable foundation for growth. Other public infrastructure investments range from reservoir, industrial water tank and well rehab projects to the Broadway Street construction in Othello, energy efficiency improvements at Othello Community Hospital, Washtucna and Ritzville schools, and accessibility upgrades at the Ritzville PDA call center. We worked with county and Ritzville leaders to fund economic development plans, implementation and programs that have impact throughout the area. Othello’s housing authority got a boost from investments by the state Housing Trust Fund to acquire and rehab 26 lowincome housing units and provide 72 beds for seasonal farmworkers at Mt. Adams Orchards. Additional investments serve other core priorities and community needs, including support for homeless programs, public safety and crime victim services.
RECENT ACTIVITY
18 INFRASTRUCTURE & remediation PROJECTS
2 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS
3
economic development PROJECTS
communities served HATTON LIND OTHELLO RITZVILLE WASHTUCNA
3 HOUSING FINANCE
PROJECTS
12 commUnity service, pUBLIC SAFETY & HOMELESSNESS PROJECTS
Photo courtesy of Carol Kelly
Strengthening communities statewide
We understand that every community’s strengths—and challenges—are different. That’s because we partner with you. We listen. We are trusted advisor, resource and connector to state, federal and other available programs and services to help you achieve your goals.
Commerce works with local governments, businesses, nonprofits and other leaders throughout the state to create vibrant communities where people want to live, work and play.
How can we help YOU? The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that connects every aspect of community and economic development. A healthy, safe community is the foundation for prosperity—one can’t exist without the other. Our outreach team is at your service.
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The people and programs at the Department of Commerce have been a remarkable resource for Palouse. Having Commerce as a partner in our revitalization efforts has enabled us to tackle projects way beyond what we could have ever accomplished on our own.
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Michael Echanove, Mayor of Palouse
360.725.4000 1011 Plum Street SE Olympia, WA 98504 206.256.6100 2001 Sixth Avenue Suite 2600 Seattle, WA 98121 509.990.2416 10 North Post St Suite 450 Spokane, WA 99201
www.commerce.wa.gov