November 6,2012 - Hotel Murano, Tacoma The WEDC co-sponsored with the Northwest Advanced Technology Clusters a symposium on Advanced Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing and Cyber Security. Read more at: www.CollaborativeInnovation.net
Optimizing the Pacific Northwest Innovation Ecosystem - WEDC & PNWER at Next50 met
September 17th -19th for an action packed agenda on innovation. Webcast
Brisk conversations with 3 top Pacific Northwest companies explored the secrets of innovation and business success. Moderated by Brier Dudley, technology columnist for the Seattle Times, three evening conversations are informative, insightful and inspirational as to how companies stay creative, nurture “killer” ideas, scale innovation and ultimately deliver value in the marketplace.
Video cast September 11th - Philips Event
Video cast September 18th - Costco Event
Video cast September 25th - Nordstrom Event
Innovation Partnership Zones won 1st Place Award for "Innovative Government Policy" from the Council of State Governments
Economic Opportunities for WA presented to Eastside Leadership Conference - Director Milbergs presented a draft of the new WA state economic development strategy to a gathering of regional leaders in Bellevue, June 22, 2012.
Gov. Gregoire announces strategy to spur small
business growth -
Gov. Chris Gregoire outlined on January 5, 2012 a series of proposals to accelerate Washington state’s economic recovery. Gregoire’s plan includes new reforms to free up cash for our state’s small businesses to help them grow and hire, as well as strategies to help those hardest hit by the recession receive the training necessary to land a job and pump more money into our local economies.
August, 2011 - Governor expands WA Economic Development commission to accelerate innovation economy
SSTi : Feds Streamline Funding Process for Broadband Grant and Loan Programs
Federal Stimulus Supplementing State TBED in Governors' Budget Proposals
The Budget Breakdown: Trimming higher ed may erode job opportunities
Larger college classes? Fewer teaching assistants? Freezes in faculty salaries? At a time when the governor wants to cut basic health care...
By Katherine Long, Seattle Times higher-education reporter
Published on January 18, 2011, Seattle Times
How competitive is US manufacturing? White House press release for President Obama's June 21st trip to Durham, NC where he met with his Jobs and Competitiveness Council at the corporate and U.S. manufacturing headquarters of Cree. The White House presents a series of links on Manufacturing in America.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has recognized three Western Washington employers as among the first in the country to offer a new program that helps employees connect with college, explore educational opportunities and build careers.
Download the Governor's proclamation supporting Lifelong Learning during the month of August.
Governor applauds innovative education savings tool at area companies
Workers connect to education faster with Lifelong Learning Accounts
U.S. EDA Unveils Regional Innovation Acceleration Network May, 2011 U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez unveiled a web portal to launch the Regional Innovation Acceleration Network (RIAN), an effort to promote organizations that are growing regional economies
and creating jobs through innovation.
Decline of Western Innovation - November 23, 2009 Newsweek Article on why America is falling behind and how to fix it..
IBISWorld Announces Industries To Perform Best in 2009
LOS ANGELES – March 30, 2009 – The recession is crippling businesses across the nation, but several industries will remain unscathed by the current economic strife, according to recent Recession Updates published by industry research firm IBISWorld.
Oil-Powering America's Economy: National Security Challenges issued by CNA this report explores the growing challenges presented by the links tying the current energy posture to the US economy and national security...more
Looking to the future, Innovation is key. Daily World article interviewing Egils Milbergs, Executive Director of WEDC...more
Washington is a great place to build airplanes... and will continue to be, "say WEDC Commissioner Phyllis Kenney and Rep. Jeff Morris in a Seattle Times article...more
Milken High Tech Economy names Washington State as number two in North America's High Tech Economy, The Geography of Knowledge-based Industries...more
Commerce Releases 6015 Report, The Department of Commerce released recommendations for growth in the Life Sciences, Information and Communication Technologies...more
STAR Researchers report to WA Legislature
Researchers Michael Hochberg and Brigitte Ahring from University of WA and WSU, respectively, testified to both the House and Senate January 18th
Read about the program at www.WASTARS.org
Governor Gregoire announces Trade Export Initiative Joint Leg. Committee on Economic Development & International Relations - WA state export promotion and trade policy, Executive branch perspective, panel presentation with Governor Gregoire, Director Rogers Weed, Director Dan Newhouse and Executive Director, Egils Milbergs...more
Read the February 7, 2012 - Tri-City Herald article:
"WA Senate Democrats tout long term jobs agenda."
State invests in more jobs by increasing its exports by Dan Newhouse, Director of WA Agriculture and Rogers Weed, Director of WA Commerce. Article published in Yakima Herald on November 19th examines one of the greatest untapped opportunities for job growth right now - exports
Global Policy Innovation Policy Index by the Kauffman Foundation and ITIF - the last decade has seen an increasing realization among economists and policymakers that innovation has become the central economic growth driver and key to improved standards of living.
Articles in the News:
Bellevue College chief takes job at online school - Longtime Bellevue College President Jean Floten became Western Governor's Online University, new chancellor. A new law signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in April, created a partnership with the school, allowing it to be included in agreements for the transfer of college credits among Washington institutions.
Executive Director Milbergs On January 17, 2011, Director Milbergs testified to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation on the World's Greatest Innovation Park - Washington State...more
World's Largest Innovation Park - Executive Director Milbergs presented the framework for the new economic strategy for Washington to the WA House of Representatives Committee on Community Development & Housing on January 10th, 2011...more
The Local Option, article in latest Association of Washington Businesses CitiVision Magazine examines cities turning to home-grown expertise and industry niches for a new source of revival.
more
Lifelong Learning Accounts The LiLA Program is designed to assist employers and their employees in creating a lifelong learning environment in the workplace
Other links:
· EU Video on Lifelong Learning
· Tough Choices or Tough Times
· Lifelong Learning / New Strategies
Clean Tech Open calling for Washington entrepreneurs
March 23, 2009 – The Clean Tech Open announced it is expanding its 2009 business competition to include Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Clean tech entrepreneurs are invited to submit their clean tech ideas for the opportunity to win funding and turn them into viable businesses. The top three winners from these states will receive $50,000 and the chance to compete for a national prize of $250,000.
The competition is part of the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge to create 100,000 clean tech jobs in the country over the next five years. The deadline to enter is May 30, 2009. Visit the Northwest Chapter of the Clean Tech Open for more information, or click here to read more about the competition.
Where do Innovations Come From?
July, 2008, by Fred Block and Matthew R. Keller
Jobs may rebound in 2010. A new forecast by Moody's Economy.com shows U.S. employment growing in 2010-1012m but the outlook for individual states and job sectors varies widely.
Success of Persistent Entrepreneurs, February 2, 2009 by Sarah J. Gilbert
Let's Spend on Broadband & Power Grid, Jan 14, 09. Wall Street Journal
"The Innovators" Spring Series: "Recovery or Reinvention -- Strategies for the White House, the statehouse and your house." Discussion of the economy featuring Executive Director Egils Milbergs and Commissioner John Gardner
WA Workforce & Economic Development Conference Panel discussion by Stacey Cowles, Spokesman Review; Lisa Cohen, Global Health Alliance, and Egils Milbergs on media impact to the economic environment.
Vital Reads: Worth Your Time!
A New Approach to Capitalism in the 21st Century, Bill Gates web cast from the World Economic Forum
Obama Stimulus Plan May Generate $300M Research Windfall, UW Says
US Ranks 8th in Global Innovation
Perspectives on Obama Secience Policy
Innovation Experts Panel The Washington Economic Development Commission hosts an Innovation Economy Experts Panel discussion with Paul Sommers (Seattle Univ), Lee Cheatham (WA Tech Center), Lisa Cohen (Global Health Alliance), Julie Anderson (Commerce), Don Brunell (Association of WA
WEDC Innovation Economy Press Briefing. The innovation strategy was presented to the Governor and the Legislature on February 6th...more
The WEDC hosts a Legislative Leadership Roundtable discussion with Rep. Phyllis Kenney (D-Seattle), Sen. Jim Kastama (D-Puyallup), Rep. Barbara Bailey (R-Oak Harbor), and Sen. Joe Zarelli (R-Ridgefield)...more
WEDC Strategy presented to Legislative Committee on Economic Development & International Relations in Renton...more
The Future of Innovation: Can America Keep Pace? "The first step to winning the future is encouraging American Innovation," said President Obama. Time looks at the concept of "innovation" and some troubling news for America
more
October 4,2011 Three new Innovation Partnership Zones announced by WA Department of Commerce.
Regional Entrepreneur-in-Residence announced Northwest Innovation Resource Center in Whatcom County announce the creation of a community based commercialization service to utilize intellectual property and stimulate creation of new companies WA Department of Commerce - Export Press Release
WEDC Executive Director Milbergs presented the 4-Pillar long-term strategy for WA state economic growth & job creation to the WA Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation.
