| | | | | Message from Lisa Brown - October 2021 | | | We're expanding our team focused on equitable opportunities for underserved communities and small businesses From housing, homelessness and infrastructure to jobs, child care and downtown revitalization, the challenges facing local leaders today are complex and daunting, especially for Washington's rural and underserved communities. We recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to strengthening communities, and most importantly, successful solutions must be community-driven, not preconceived or imposed from outside. As stewards of about 100 state and federally-funded programs, Commerce began to pivot several years ago from typical, and often siloed, government assistance models to new approaches focused on intensive, comprehensive community engagement and outreach. I'm excited to share news that we're growing our team dedicated to promoting equity and opportunity for underserved communities, small businesses and organizations. In the past month, we welcomed three new members stationed throughout the state.  "Small-business owners add so much value to the quality of life in our towns and cities, yet many are underserved and underrepresented. Many of these business owners may not always have access to a small-business advisor who speaks their language, a computer with high-speed internet or even a trusted guide who can help them maneuver through all the complicated language for grant and loan applications." --- Jessica Camacho, Small Business Resiliency Network lead based in Yakima. |  "I'm excited that part of my work will be to advocate for and assist with engaging diverse and historically marginalized neighborhoods, regions, communities and organizations to ensure everyone in Washington has opportunities to succeed and live their best lives." --- Karlena Brailey, Community Engagement Specialist based on the Olympic Peninsula |  "I am thrilled to be part of a growing team that wants to help communities help communities to gain equitable access to resources and reach their goals. This includes expanding the programs that Commerce has to offer in an equitable manner," Chavez said. "It is exciting to build a new regional position in south central Washington and bridge opportunities with community members, small businesses, organizations, cities and counties." --- Norma Chavez, Community Engagement Specialist based in Kennewick | We also have open recruitments for two more community engagement specialists serving the central and northwestern regions of the state. Meet Jessica, Karlena and Norma and read more about the entire team in our press release. | Want to start a business?  Global Entrepreneurship Month kicks off free trainings and more As Washington state turns the corner on the pandemic, record numbers of entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses. Compared to 2020, new business starts are up 19.8% statewide, increasing from 55,539 through October last year to 69,301 new businesses this year. (US Census Bureau Business Formations Dashboard). With that in mind, the Commerce is once again focusing on the state's entrepreneurs, offering a wide selection of free online workshops and sessions as part of this year's Global Entrepreneurship Month (GEM) celebration. Gov. Inslee has proclaimed November Global Entrepreneurship Month in Washington to kick off the month-long GEM series. Global Entrepreneurship Month will cover a wide range of topics designed to address the significant challenges businesses face now and in the years to come as owners rebuild, recover and restart. | Weatherizing your home has many benefits - find out if you qualify for state programs that can help  Reducing energy costs means families have more money to spend on food, medicine and other essentials. Commerce works with 27 local weatherization agencies across the state to increase the energy efficiency of homes. Oct. 30 is national Weatherization Day, an annual event designed to promote programs that can help people make weatherization improvements that result in lower energy costs and healthier, more comfortable houses. | New task force will examine homeownership disparities, make policy recommendations  We've known for a long time that homeownership opportunities vary based on race, with Black, Indigenous and people of color experiencing disproportionate barriers to buying a home. The reasons why and, more importantly, the potential solutions are less clear. Here in Washington state, a concerted effort kicked off this week to dig deep into these inequities. I was pleased to open the first meeting of the Homeownership Disparities Task Force last Monday. As home to the state Housing Trust Fund and related programs addressing affordable housing, homelessness and foreclosure fairness, Commerce has been charged by the legislature with convening this diverse homeownership-focused work group to assess perspectives on housing and lending laws, policies and practices. Together, we will be facilitating ongoing discussion among interested parties and will develop budgetary and administrative policy and legislative recommendations. Find meeting documents and learn more here | New on Commerce's Medium site  Digital Equity moonshot: State launches Office of Digital Equity to help all Washington residents thrive in a connected world You're most likely reading this on a device connected to the internet. Consider yourself lucky because 45% of Washington residents either have no internet service in their home or have less than 10 Megabits per second (Mbps) download speed. At that speed, you can check email and browse a few internet sites, but you can't stream a TV program or movie, participate in a video call, or have a reliable connection for more than one person at a time. Pretty rough, right? Now take a step back and think about folks who don't have or can't afford a computer or mobile device, or who are hesitant or don't even know how to go online even if they could. Digital equity begins with infrastructure, but it's much more than laying fiber or linking to satellites to get people in rural areas connected. Read the rest of the story |  With groundwater supplies in dire straits, Columbia Basin communities mobilize together to preserve their future Longtime residents of Columbia Basin farming communities in Lincoln, Franklin, Adams and Grant counties understand deeply that water is precious. They're in the heart of central Washington's rich agriculture region that feeds not only our state, but the world, with wheat, potatoes and many other staple crops. For generations, much of their water has come from ancient underground aquifers in a geologically complex and isolated natural system that is no longer capable of sufficiently replenishing itself. A 2012 Columbia Basin Groundwater Management Area Report confirmed the dire prognosis — the water is running out. Read the rest of the story | Retired Commerce team member Maury Forman honored with Lifetime Achievement Award  Congratulations to a longtime Commerce team member, Dr. Maury Forman, on being honored with the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic Development. Every year IEDC looks for an individual who has demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. Maury retired in 2016 with over 30 years of service at Commerce, where, as IEDC writes, he was known as an innovator, leader and visionary in economic development, touching many lives during his career. In particular, Maury focused on efforts for small businesses and entrepreneurship, particularly in rural communities. Read more |  | | |  | | |
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