Washington Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations and event planners for innovative projects that attract visitors to Snohomish, particularly those that encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy during the off-season.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is launching an accelerated cohort of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP 2.5). This initiative is an economic development strategy designed to bolster industry ecosystems and stimulate economic growth across the state. The program aims to assist organizations in expanding cluster operations, fostering innovation in key sectors, and drawing in talent and capital. While not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission alignment," the program's objectives clearly align with broader state economic development goals, serving as a strategic framework to enhance Washington's competitive advantage in global industry sectors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are industry-led consortia/clusters that demonstrate a commitment to building successful clusters. These consortia must include academic membership, evidenced by a letter of commitment from a major university or community college within Washington State. Furthermore, eligible clusters must demonstrate over $500,000 in investment, which can include prospective federal funding. The program prioritizes clusters that are truly industry-led, ensuring that funding supports initiatives with strong private sector engagement and a clear path to market-driven innovation and growth. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, designed to strengthen Washington's economic landscape. Key goals include establishing Washington as a global leader in critical industry sectors, supporting technology transfer and commercialization, accelerating the growth of new start-ups and scale-ups, and expanding existing businesses. A significant focus is placed on creating high-value jobs across Washington, increasing export opportunities, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in both business ownership and the workforce. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to economic development that values innovation, job creation, and equitable growth. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the ICAP 2.5. COMMERCE intends to award no more than 10 applications, with individual grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The project period is tentatively set to commence around September 1, 2024, and conclude by December 31, 2024, indicating a short, high-impact performance window. The success of the program will be measured by its ability to drive cluster operations, innovation in key sectors, and the attraction of talent and capital, all contributing to the overarching goal of accelerating economic development and strengthening industry ecosystems. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the program's design implicitly operates on the theory that targeted investment in industry-led consortia will foster innovation, create high-value jobs, and ultimately establish Washington as a leader in key industry sectors, thereby increasing economic prosperity and global competitiveness.

This grant provides funding for tourism-based marketing projects in Grays Harbor County, Washington, aimed at attracting visitors from outside the local area to promote overnight stays and tourism-related commerce.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that promote tourism and related activities in Centralia, Washington.

This program provides funding to support projects that improve the competitiveness of Washington State's specialty crop industry, benefiting producers and processors through research, education, and marketing initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in Grays Harbor County for tourism-related events and activities that attract visitors to the area.

This program provides $1,000 grants to BIPOC small business owners in the Fourth Plain Corridor to help them purchase essential equipment that improves their operations and supports long-term growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and tribes near military bases for projects that promote compatible development and address land use conflicts, enhancing community resilience and quality of life.

This program provides financial support to small, independently owned businesses in Seattle for essential upgrades like signage and equipment, helping them improve operations and serve the community better.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects in Washington state that convert industrial waste into valuable resources, encouraging collaboration among various sectors to promote sustainability and strengthen local economies.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 for individuals and community groups in Shoreline to implement projects that positively impact the environment and engage the community.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Duvall, Washington, that provide essential services to vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, and families, ensuring access to food, shelter, employment, and mental health support.

This program provides funding to local governments for planning and assessing the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties, helping communities transform brownfields into valuable assets.

This program provides financial support to organizations in Mukilteo for projects that promote tourism, cultural activities, and the development of tourism-related facilities, with the goal of boosting the local economy through increased visitor traffic.

This grant provides funding to empower community leaders who have experienced forced displacement, supporting innovative projects that foster collaboration and integration between refugees and local communities in select U.S. states.

This program provides funding to nonprofit lending institutions to increase access to credit for small businesses in underserved and rural communities across Washington State.

This funding opportunity supports research projects aimed at developing sustainable pest management strategies to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by burrowing shrimp in Washington's coastal aquaculture industry.

This program provides tax credits to businesses in Washington State that contribute funds to support lending institutions, which in turn help small, rural, and marginalized businesses access capital.

This program provides funding and in-kind support to local non-profit organizations in Duvall, Washington, to promote tourism, economic development, and the arts through community events and initiatives.