Gov. Gregoire leads second trade mission to D.C.

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire, Washington Department of Commerce Director Rogers Weed and a delegation of the state�s business leaders are in Washington, D.C., today to meet with federal policy and decision makers to discuss issues important to Washington state businesses.

�Washington is home to an array of innovative companies that are anxious to work with the state and federal government to create jobs and economic development,� Gregoire said. �We need to ensure these companies have the right tools to remain successful, including increased availability of credit to spur business growth, open international markets and a qualified workforce. These face-to-face meetings with our federal leaders help them understand our unique needs, and ensure that together we�re developing comprehensive strategies to help our businesses succeed.�

�In these economic times it�s even more important for business and government to be working together,� said Weed. �Whether it�s clean energy, information technology, banking or other sectors, government policy plays a significant role in shaping the business climate. So it�s important that we make trips like these to share our perspective on the key issues impacting the competitiveness of our state�s industries.�

Along with the state�s Congressional delegation, Gregoire, Weed and the entire delegation are meeting with several members of the Obama Administration, including:

-Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to discuss pending free trade agreements, international investments, broadband and other new technologies, as well as green energy and climate policies.

-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to discuss trucking issues, the state�s transportation needs and pending Transportation Act legislation.

-Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss federal support for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education programs and other education programs.

-Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to discuss comprehensive immigration reform and workforce training/retraining programs.

-Senior Advisor and assistant to the President Valerie Jarrett to discuss banking regulations and the availability of credit to businesses.

-Department of Energy Director of the Office of Economic Impact Joe Garcia to discuss the status of the smart energy grid, the need for more weatherization projects to conserve energy and programs to train/retrain a new clean energy workforce.

Gregoire led a similar trade mission to Washington, D.C., last June, when she traveled with Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Dan Newhouse and a delegation representing the state�s agriculture industry. Since 2005, Gregoire has led trade missions to Australia, China, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Taiwan. Gregoire has had success eliminating some trade barriers and tariffs and opening more opportunities for Washington businesses.

Accompanying Gregoire and Weed are:

Baker Boyer Bank President & CEO Megan Clubb
Cascade Bank President & CEO Carol Nelson
Concur President & COO Rajeev Singh
Fisher Communications President & CEO Colleen Brown
Fluke Corporation President Barbara Hulit
Itron President & CEO Malcolm Unsworth
Microsoft Senior Vice President & General Counsel Brad Smith
McKinstry CEO Dean Allen
Weyerhaeuser President & CEO Dan Fulton.


�This is an important opportunity for business and government leaders to work together to advance Washington state�s agenda in Washington, D.C. The economic dynamic is more competitive than ever,� said Microsoft Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary Brad Smith. �We need strong federal policies to help us strengthen education, improve transportation, spur innovation and create opportunities abroad for exports of goods and services. These policies will play a vital role in helping us take the initiative locally to create new jobs.�

"Itron's most innovative smart grid installations are becoming reality; collaboration has afforded us with a tremendous amount of knowledge,� said Malcolm Unsworth, Itron president and CEO. �We�re honored to have shared that knowledge with the administration and hope it will culminate in benefits for Washington state, vendors, utilities and consumers alike."

�Reform of the broad financial industry, including nonbank financial firms, is necessary and prudent,� said Megan Clubb, president and CEO of Baker Boyer Bank. �This trip has provided an opportunity for valuable dialogue with our elected officials and the Obama team. They are grappling with proposals to protect taxpayers as well as options to safeguard the financial system. Community banks serve a vital role in small business lending and local economic activity. I appreciate their support of solutions that maintain a healthy community banking system.�

�Broadcasters are the fabric of our local communities and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share my thoughts with the Obama Administration on how we can protect the public airwaves in order to strengthen the bond between our stations and the millions of viewers who rely on us for their daily information and entertainment,� said Colleen B. Brown, president and CEO of Fisher Communications. �As we continue to address issues that are critical to Washington state, we need to develop long-term solutions that will help our companies remain competitive. The business community must work closely with our elected leaders in Washington, D.C., to establish federal policies that will sustain the state�s economic growth.�