State Economic Development Services Go Local

For Immediate Release: November 9, 2007

Regional offices deliver on Governor Gregoire�s Next Washington
economic development strategy

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the opening of seven regional offices across Washington to provide greater access to state resources for economic development organizations, communities and industries. The offices, regional locations of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED), are an important component of Governor Gregoire�s Next Washington 10-year business strategy for the state.

�This is a smart move that will build regional partnerships between CTED - my economic development agency - and local economic development and workforce councils,� said Governor Gregoire. �Washington�s success in the global market depends on the skills and innovation of our state�s citizens. To support them and provide them with state resources that can help them to be successful, we must move these resources out of Olympia and into the local communities.�

Providing services through regional economic development offices is part of Governor Gregoire�s Next Washington strategy, which acknowledges unique regional economic needs. It lays out specific initiatives to improve workers� skills, connect research universities more directly with private sector and economic development enterprises, boost telecommunications and energy infrastructure and make it easier to do business with government.

�Our regional teams will be on-the-ground advocates to provide technical and financial support to the ongoing efforts of local economic development agencies,� said Juli Wilkerson, director of CTED. �We assist with a wide range of factors that influence the decisions of investors here and abroad on where to locate and expand.�

The opening of these offices follows Governor Gregoire�s designation in October of 11 Innovation Partnership Zones, geographic areas that will promote and develop the state�s regional economies. These zones build on the success around the world of �research parks,� such as the Research Triangle in North Carolina and Torrey Pines in California, and bring together research and higher education opportunities, innovation and economic activity to be a strong engine for regional economies.

Regional team members will work with local economic development organizations, workforce councils, ports, cities, industry and communities to build partnerships and coordinate economic development activities. These activities include providing services, tools, and resources to retain businesses, spur investment, and attract foreign companies. They will also provide communities with access to economic development training and export assistance services and will serve as a conduit for other CTED agency services.

• Eastern (Spokane and Colville locations serve Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Whitman, Lincoln, Adams, Grant)
  
• Southeast (Kennewick and Walla Walla locations serve Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, Benton, Franklin, Yakima, and Klickitat)
  
• North Central (Wenatchee location serves Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan)
  
• Northwest (Mount Vernon location serves Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan)
  
• Puget Sound (Seattle location serves King, Pierce, and Thurston)
  
• Olympic (Shelton location serves Mason, Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam)
  
• Southwest (Satsop Industrial Park location serves Grays Harbor, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark, and Skamania)

Regional team members will work with local economic development organizations, workforce councils, ports, cities, industry and communities to build partnerships and coordinate economic development activities. These activities include providing services, tools, and resources to retain businesses, spur investment, and attract foreign companies. They will also provide communities with access to economic development training and export assistance services and will serve as a conduit for other CTED agency services.

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