Krista Perez (she/her), Strategic Partnerships Manager for Commerce's Community Reinvestment Program, works closely with the Washington Employment Security Department & 12 Workforce Development Councils to distribute millions of dollars to communities statewide.
Watch: youtu.be/7g5Y94E4v1o
A graphic featuring a grid of diverse women in various poses. The text reads "International Women's Day" with the date "March 8" below it. The background includes a variety of pastel colors. The logo for Washington State Commerce is located at the bottom corner.
Happy International Women’s Day to the incredible women across Washington!
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, reminds us that when we invest in women, we create stronger communities through generosity, opportunity, and support.
#IWD2026
Graphic announcing Dave Anderson has been honored for leadership in the planning profession. In addition to his photo, a quote expresses gratitude to his team and community partners. The design features a logo of the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Congrats to Dave Andersen, managing director of Growth Management Services, for being named to the 2026 Class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners!
This peer recognition for transformational planning work is the AICP's highest honor.
www.commerce.wa.gov/commerces-da...
Aerial view of a Dungeness Nature Center, single-story building with a modern design. The structure is surrounded by greenery, including trees and shrubs.
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is building climate resilience rooted in culture and community.
With support from Commerce, the Tribe has used investments to protect natural resources, strengthen housing and reduce long-term energy costs.
Read the story: www.commerce.wa.gov/the-jamestow...
Graphic promoting the Young Entrepreneur Academy blog featuring Lord Vincent Crutcher. The design includes a teal background and logos for the Employment Security Department and Washington State Department of Commerce.
The Young Entrepreneur Academy’s Pitch Unit teaches entrepreneurs how to identify their core values & connect with investors.
Read our latest blog from Young Adult Advisory Council Member Lord-Vincent Crutcher to learn how the unit was created & why it matters.
mystartup365.com/reclaiming-t...
A news release graphic announces the approval of Washington's final BEAD proposal, highlighting a $1 billion investment for broadband expansion. The image features a young person using a smartphone, looking engaged with the content.
Washington reached a major milestone in closing the digital divide.
The NTIA approved the State Broadband Office's final Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment Program proposal, clearing the way to award $1B+ to expand high-speed internet across the state.
www.commerce.wa.gov/ntia-approve...
Homeownership builds stability. Not just for families, but for entire communities.
Through the Community Reinvestment Plan Homeownership Capital Accelerator, we’re investing in financial coaching & housing development.
The impact goes far beyond the front door. 🏡
youtu.be/lzHe2ZZ6-P4
Kate Pedersen recently shared insights from workshops with Commerce grantees & communities strengthening local energy resilience.
The sessions bring communities together to tackle real-world energy challenges & identify solutions that build stronger, more prepared communities.
youtu.be/Qd7GPNJMu2g
Graphic recognizing Glenn Blackmon as the 2026 Clean Energy Champion. It features a professional headshot of Blackmon, former director of the Energy Policy Office at the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The Clean Energy States Alliance recognized Glenn Blackmon with the Lewis M. Milford Clean Energy Champion Award!
During his 15 years at Commerce, Glenn helped shape ambitious clean energy & climate policies. His legacy will have a lasting impact on WA communities.
www.cesa.org/projects/cle...
A colorful, abstract illustration of a horse's head, featuring vibrant brush strokes in various colors. Above the horse, text reads "Happy Lunar New Year 2026" with "Year of the Horse" beneath it. The Washington State Department of Commerce logo is displayed at the bottom.
Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we celebrate strength, perseverance, and forward momentum.
May the year ahead bring progress, partnership, and new opportunities for communities across Washington.
Graphic promoting the Young Entrepreneur Academy blog featuring Mazzy Eckel. The design includes a teal background, images of directional signs, and logos for the Employment Security Department and Washington State Department of Commerce.
Branding your business is just as important as your idea. It’s how you stand out, build trust, and connect with your audience.
Learn more about why it matters in our latest Young Entrepreneur Academy blog.
mystartup365.com/lets-talk-br...
A group photo of 14 individuals standing and kneeling together in a conference room. The backdrop features a banner for an action organization. The people are dressed in business casual attire and are smiling at the camera.
Community Action Agencies are the first call families make when they need help. Our role at Commerce is to make that call easier to answer.
Commerce staff recently joined leaders from Washington State Community Action Partnership for an in-person summit focused on strengthening our partnership.
Our WA Families Clean Energy Credits Grant Program, which supported households by providing $200 credits to assist with energy bills in 2024, was officially selected for the 50 States, 50 Breakthroughs list to celebrate people and projects making government better!
apolitical.co/list/en/50-s...
Four women pose together in front of a backdrop featuring the PNAA logo, celebrating the PNAA ADVANCE 2026 event. Pictured left to right: Shannon McCarty, Sarah Clifthorne, Nikki Malcom, Joanna Boatwright
Today, Commerce team members are at the 25th PNAA ADVANCE Conference with aerospace leaders from across the country and around the world.
Aerospace is part of our DNA — from Boeing’s 100+ year legacy to today’s 1,500+ suppliers powering a $71B industry.
A group of diverse individuals stands outside a building, holding a large ribbon for an opening ceremony.
A man and a woman stand next to electric vehicle charging stations.
Commerce joined partners to celebrate last week’s ribbon cutting for the Samaki Commons EV charging station project.
This new site expands access to electric vehicle charging in Rainier Valley, supporting cleaner transportation, local sustainability goals, and community-focused development.
A silhouette of a snowboarder performing a jump against a textured background that resembles snow. The text above reads "Snowboarding" and below, it states "Energy," followed by a descriptive phrase about boldness and thrill in the sport. A colorful logo is included at the bottom right.
🏂 Snowboarding = Energy
Bold, innovative, and ready to ride the edge of what’s possible—Energy brings the power and the thrill!
A silhouette of a skier navigating a slope, with ski gates in the background. Text overlay reads "Alpine Skiing" and discusses economic development, highlighting themes of progress and momentum. The background has a snowy texture.
⛷️ Skiing = Economic Development
Fast, forward-thinking, and carving new paths for growth—Economic Development is all about momentum.
A graphic featuring the word "Curling" at the top, with a silhouette of a curler in action on an icy surface. The text highlights "Community Services" and emphasizes precision, strategy, and overcoming challenges. A colorful logo appears at the bottom right.
🥌 Curling = Community Service
Precision, strategy, and sweeping up challenges to clear the way for support. That’s how Community Service scores big!
A silhouette of a figure skater in an elegant pose appears against a textured background. The text above reads "Figure Skating" with the word "Housing" below it. Additional text describes characteristics such as graceful moves and balance, emphasizing the importance of housing in figure skating.
⛸️ Figure Skating = Housing
Graceful moves, perfect balance, and building strong foundations—housing keeps everything elegant and steady.
A graphic featuring the title "Ice Hockey" at the top, followed by a message about teamwork in local government. Below the text, there is an illustration of a hockey player in action and a black hockey puck. The background has a light icy texture.
🏒 Ice Hockey = Local Government
Because teamwork makes the dream work—and they’re always ready to defend the goal for our communities.
The Winter Olympics are here! Over the next 2 weeks, we’re going to show our support for all our U.S. Olympians by celebrating the spirit of the Games.
No matter the sport, we’re chasing gold for Washington communities.
If our divisions were Olympic sports, here’s how they’d shine:
Graphic promoting the Young Entrepreneur Academy blog featuring Mazzy Eckel. The design includes a teal background, images of directional signs, and logos for the Employment Security Department and Washington State Department of Commerce.
Feeling stuck in the job market? Ready to take ownership of your career?
The Young Entrepreneur Academy Young Adult Advisory Council member Mazzy Eckel shares her story and why the Young Entrepreneur Academy is creating new paths forward for young adults.
Read: mystartup365.com/creating-you...
In this week’s Commerce in the News: HOMES-HOMES-HOMES! 🏡
Commerce has released millions through two awards that will bring thousands of new homes to the state.
Housing Trust Fund awards:
heyor.ca/0rdWUh
Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) awards: heyor.ca/GEGFan
YEA is a free, virtual, on-demand business training resource co-designed by young entrepreneurs, for young people ages 16-30. Learn at your own pace with practical tools to turn your ideas into action.
Learn more about YEA today!
Graphic announcing the Young Entrepreneur Academy, featuring logos of the Employment Security Department and Washington State Department of Commerce. The design has a brown background with a signpost graphic indicating direction.
Starting a business is hard, and it can be even harder for teens and young adults. That’s why Commerce, @washingtonesd.bsky.social, and the Young Adult Advisory Council partnered to create the Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA).
mystartup365.com/introducing-...
A Chinook salmon jumps out of the water, accompanied by an announcement from the Washington State Department of Commerce. $3 million in grants were awarded to support salmon recovery plans for local and tribal governments.
We've announced $3M to local and tribal partners to integrate salmon recovery efforts into comprehensive planning.
These investments support stronger land management and enforcement strategies that protect habitat and improve water quality.
www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-boo...
Gov. Ferguson appointed Sarah Clifthorne interim Commerce Director effective Jan. 20. Sarah has served as Commerce’s deputy director since February 2025. In this role, she'll work closely with agency leadership to help with the transition process.
governor.wa.gov/news/2026/go...
Graphic promoting a $32 million available from the Washington State Department of Commerce for compliance with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The background features modern buildings integrated with green trees.
Commerce has $32.4M available to assist public and private building owners in complying with the Clean Buildings Performances Standard. This competitive request for applications is open to private, public, and tribal building owners.
Full details: www.commerce.wa.gov/funding/clea...
We announced $54.5 million in grants to create nearly 5,000 affordable housing units across WA. These awards are part of the latest round of the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program, which helps cover critical water infrastructure costs.
www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-inv...
An aerial view of a large multi-story building surrounded by trees. A text overlay announces the Washington State Department of Commerce's funding for 2,461 affordable housing units through 47 awards from the Housing Trust Fund and federal programs.
Commerce announced 47 awards from the state and federal Housing Trust Funds, totaling $208 million, to support affordable housing construction and rehabilitation in 19 counties across Washington. These funds will create 2,461 units.
www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-ann...
