Washington State Department of Commerce official news and information. Our mission is to strengthen communities in our state. RTs & follows ≠ endorsement
Have you checked your mailbox lately? 📬
Tax forms are arriving, and so is your chance to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit!
Don’t be part of the 20% who miss out on these funds every year!
Check your eligibility and claim what’s yours: https://t.co/b1Ms7cnMgk
Making Things Happen for Affordable Housing: Today we announced, along with @WAComDirector and @WAStateCommerce, $14.6M in grants to support shovel-ready housing projects that will create more than 1,800 affordable units in 10 counties. Read more: https://t.co/ttRjgt6tZV
There is no current impact to state-funded programs.
Our commitment is to share news and updates as soon as we receive new information. The work you do in communities across Washington is incredibly important.
https://t.co/l2cc3fiuDH
To our community partners: Federal funding is flowing again after the White House rescinded the freeze. If you have federal funding from Commerce, please continue your programs and services as usual. We'll reach out if there are future actions or orders that impact your programs.
We've announced investments of $17.95 million to create affordable homeownership opportunities for 168 low-income households. Today, Habitat For Humanity of East Jefferson Co. celebrated with one family in at their new home made possible in part by an affordability subsidy.
We awarded $2.4M to help launch an innovative solar panel project at the WSU Sunrise Research Orchard near Wenatchee. The project aims to harmonize solar power generation with apple production to boost harvests.
Learn more about the project: https://t.co/rGWDrBEY2t
ICYMI: Commerce announced 27 state and federal funding awards that will help finance affordable housing construction and rehabilitation in 12 counties, resulting in 1,282 new units.
Read the full announcement: https://t.co/gMsVv8puyj
Commerce today announced 26 grants aimed at reducing emissions, enhancing the comfort of building occupants, and improving the cost efficiency of public building operations.
Read more: https://t.co/0SQLrxK9TG
Former state senator Joe Nguyễn joins Commerce today as @WAComDirector to lead our team that's entrusted with 100+ diverse programs focused on strengthening WA communities.
Sign up for director email updates: https://t.co/YAWUeqZ3WK
Read more: https://t.co/2ztLFTWuIu
Kalispel Tribe of Indians Chairman Glen Nenema and former Commerce director Mike Fong recently signed a memorandum of understanding, marking an important step in establishing gov-to-gov relations.
Read more: https://t.co/uaCjcagncQ
Interested in the electrification of transportation? Commerce and WSDOT are hosting the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.
Register to join on Zoom: https://t.co/0I6x64esSY
Watch live on TVW: https://t.co/sSnUuKPhYl
Commerce & the WA State Housing Finance Commission released a recent report on efforts to stabilize rents for tenants in state-funded affordable housing. It highlights ongoing challenges & offers draft strategies to mitigate the rent burden on residents.
https://t.co/au1GL26sS7
@DonnaRiddell (2) but allows up to two-thirds to be NACS. We continue to monitor updates to federal standards and will consider increasing NACS installations as more EVs on the road are compatible with NACS.
What does environmental justice look like in action?
The EV Charging Program awarded $100M to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across WA, supporting cleaner, greener communities. Explore the funding dashboard to see awards and new chargers: https://t.co/EWCGWjis72
@DonnaRiddell@DonnaRiddell (1) State and federal programs generally allow new sites to install NACS connectors but must install CCS (combined charging standard). For example, Commerce's community charging program requires that at least one-third of installed connectors are CCS
$1.2B in federal Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment funding is available to close the digital divide & improve access for underserved WA communities. Projects must serve areas identified and approved through the BEAD process.
Applications due Jan. 31
https://t.co/q0YBFQzuO0
We’re looking for a third-party administrator for the Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebate programs, which will provide rebates to low- and moderate-income households for energy efficiency retrofits and electrification. Apply by March 3.
Lean more: https://t.co/DsN7USeYJx
The City of Renton was awarded a Governor Smart Communities Award.
The Renton Housing Authority, city of Renton, JP Morgan Chase Bank, King County, and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission all partnered to complete the project in April 2024.
https://t.co/ilVpKCC8Mr