Date	Description
The problems being addressed by the Economic Development Commission and Washington state are not new.  We invite you to read a report issued by  the WA State Economic Development Board in 1988, Washington Works Worldwide.    "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."            - George Santayana
May 2013	The final report issued from the National 2012 Regional, State & Local Workshop on Initiatives in Nanotechnology.  Results from a workshop conducted in Portland, Oregon, sponsored by Nanoscale Science, Engineering, & Technology and the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute.  Washington was represented by WEDC Executive Director, Egils Milbergs.
Mar 2013	Driving Washington's Prosperity:  A Strategy for Job Creation and Competitiveness  The Washington Economic Development Commission's bi-annual long-term, state-wide strategy.  The report includes the WEDC recommendations for growing jobs by boosting the state's competitiveness.
Jan 2013	Economic Development Programs and Investments: Review of Evaluation Practices in Washington State First in a series of three reports this document assesses assesses the extent to which data collection and program performance tracking can uncover causal relationships between economic development programmatic investments and initiatives and broader, desired outcomes specific to economic growth, such as gains in good paying jobs, business output and productivity, and measures of standards of living.           Vital Signs for Economic Development Second report in the three part series, the metrics reviewed in this benchmarking report closely approximate changes in the state economy in areas important for growing and sustained economic development—changes in business performance, jobs, and income. We then evaluate how Washington has performed across a set of measures that allow for comparison against other states, and we fell are relatively meaningful.           Innovation Sources, Practices, and Economic Development Programs Serving the Needs of Businesses: A Survey of Businesses and Recommendations  As part of the Washington Economic Development Commission’s (WEDC) broader directive to assess the economic development system in the Washington, this report addresses three inter-related issues: 1) What are the drivers of new ideas, where will innovation occur at the firm level in the near future, and what barriers exist; 2) To what extent businesses are currently aware of and using selected state resources; and 3) General attitudes about the state economy and the role of the state in supporting the private sector.
Dec 2012	Collaborative Innovation Brokers - WEDC held an expert roundtable in Seattle focused on the role of “innovation brokers” in regional economic development. The purpose of the discussion was to identify and assess innovation broker models that have emerged across the country and to inform Washington state on strategies for bolstering regional innovation capacity and growth.
Dec 2012	Innovation a Partnership Zones 2012 Report:  Toward a More Data Driven Assessment. IPZ is an economic development partnership among at least some of the following educational institutions, research laboratories, public economic development organizations, local governments, chambers of commerce, private companies, and workforce training organizations.
Dec 2012	The 2012 State New Economy Index by Information, Technology & Innovation Foundation - For the United States to be competitive, one key will be to compete more on the basis of innovation and entrepreneurship, and less on cost. With a globalized economy enabling easy access to low-cost production systems in nations like China, India, and Mexico, U.S. competitive advantage will continue to be found in making things and providing traded services that other nations are unable to make or provide as easily or as efficiently.  The Innovation Index ranks Washington state number three in the nation for innovation.
Dec 2012	Annual summary of economic climate by WA Economic & Revenue Forecast Council
Sep 2012	Economic & Revenue Update by WA Economic & Revenue Forecast update to the Economic Climate Study
Jul 2012	Innovation Partnership Zones - Fact Sheet List of IPZ designated zones with brief description and location map.
Jun 2012	Best Practices in State & Regional Innovation : An Expert Roundtable Evaluating Economic Development   The WEDC hosted an "Experts Roundtable" in Seattle to discuss best practices and techniques for evaluating economic development programs. Roundtable participants came from across the U.S. and Canada, representing small and large think tanks, provincial government, academics, and consulting firms. .
Apr 2012	R&D Assets in the PNWER Region: A look at Washington State and Beyond by Catherine Copeland.  A study commissioned by the WEDC working with the University of Washington Foster School of Business and Pacific Northwest Economic Region  exploring the innovation economy as an economic development tool as it relates to research and development assets.
Mar 2012	Glimpses into our future: Washington's Emerging Innovation Clusters  - Regional innovation clusters are the key driver of business, jobs and economic development. However, innovation clusters cannot be commanded from the top. They are an organic phenomenon that is condition-based. Washington needs to put in place an environment that encourages and nurtures growth of innovation clusters (ecosystems) from the bottom up.   The WEDC innovation strategy gives particular emphasis on scaling up emerging innovation clusters and technologies. This report, “Glimpses of the Future: Washington’s Emerging Innovation Clusters,” is prepared as an introduction to a variety of innovation-based activities happening across the state. Importantly, this report is not an exhaustive list—our aim is to begin this discussion and continue to add and update this inventory in the coming years.
Dec 2011	Economic Climate Study by WA Economic & Revenue Forecast Council - This report updates the State of Washington’s Economic Climate Study, last published December 2010. The study provides information about Washington's competitive standing in relation to the other U.S. states. It is based on the premise that, while improving productivity is primarily the domain of Washington's business sector, appropriate state and local policies, particularly those relating to education, public safety, infrastructure, cost of doing business, and the environment, are essential to promote higher standards of living.
Dec 2011	WA State Economic Development Inventory 2008-2011: A Review of State Agency Programs - A compilation of 128 Washington state economic development programs provided by 32 agencies and organizations.
Jul 2011	What Makes and IPZ Click?  WEDC in-depth research on three of the WA Innovation Partnership Zones and recommendations for improvement
Apr 2011	Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest: Powering the Next Generation of Flight - The Northwest is a global center of aviation innovation, and aviation is a vital regional economic sector.  So, the Northwest is a logical place to launch a pioneering effort aimed a identifying safe, sustainable, low-carbon resources to power the next generation of flight.
Jan 2011	Innovation Partnership Zones (IPZ) Fact Sheet - Summary of the IPZ program created in 2007.  Information on the 12 designated Innovation Partnership Zones. See additional information on the WA STARS, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and IPZs at www.WASTARS.org
Jan 2011	Job Creation on a Budget: How Regional Industry Clusters Can Add Jobs, Bolster Entrepreneurship, and Spark Innovation - Brookings-Rockefeller, Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation.  Brookings report discusses how states can grow jobs, encourage entrepreneurship.
Dec 2010	CERB Biennial ReportWA Community Economic Revitalization Board - 2010 Biennial Legislative Report. CERB was created in 1982 to provide low-cost financing for local public facilities designed to recruit, retain, and expand primarily industrial businesses in Washington state.
Dec 2010	Transportation 2030 PlanWashington Department of Transportation releases a blueprint and strategies to guide decisions and investments needed to develop Washington's transportation system.
Nov 2010	Innovation Partnership Zones:  First Steps toward a More Collaborative Approach to Economic Development Annual report by WA Dept. of Commerce report to the Governor and Legislature on the Washington State Innovation Partnership Zones
Nov, 2010	2010 State New Economy Index report produced by ITIF and the Kaufman Foundations. Massachusetts, - Washington is ranked 2nd in 2010 State New Economy Index report produced by ITIF and the Kaufman Foundations. Massachusetts, Washington, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey are the top  in competitiveness, global entrepreneurial, innovation and knowledge based New Economy.
Sep 2010	Indicators for the Washington Economy by Dr. Paul Sommers, Dr. William Beyers, and Dr. Andrew Wenzl - Research providing a "dashboard" assessing characteristics and trends in the WA state economy relative to an innovation strategy.
Sep 2010	Regional Innovation Clusters: A Strategy to Compete for Federal Funds, by Berk & Associates - Paper prepared to help further the goal of competing for federal R&D funds in strategic areas, such as clean tech, global health, smart grid, and water resources.
Sep 2010	WA State's Defense Economy: Measuring & Growing the Impact - White Paper by Berk & Associates - The report's purpose: 1) create an updated analysis of the economic impact of Washington's bases and defense-relate economy; 2) Identity new and emerging opportunities for WA-based businesses based on trends in national defense strategy; and 3) Develop recommendations for a statewide economic development strategy building on the military presence and expanding Washington's share of national defense contracting.
Sep 2010	WEDC Innovation Policy: Benchmarking States & Nations, by GSP Consulting - WEDC initiated GSP Consulting to benchmark the state of Washington's performance in economic development.  The report focuses on 4 program areas - expanding exports, attracting talent, nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship and promoting life sciences.
Sep 2010	Washington State Manufacturing within the Global Market: An Actionable Situation Analysis Report by Association of Washington Business Institute - Analysis of what Washington needs to do to effectively compete in the global market.
Sep 2010	Electrification of Transportation: An Economic Development Roadmap Report by Steve Marshall, Cascadia Center Examination of transportation as it transforms. What are the fundamental changes and opportunities as we make the shift from oil to electricity. What should be the role of government?
Sep 2010	The New "Cluster Moment": How Regional Innovation Clusters Can Foster the Next Economy, Metropolitan Policy Program,  - Brookings Institute - Twenty years after Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter introduced the concept to the policy community and 10 years after its wide state adoption, clusters have reemerged as a key tool and rubric in Washington and the nation's economic regions.
Jul 2010	The Economic & Societal Impact of the UW - Report to measure the economic, employment and government revenue impacts of operations and research on UW campuses and affiliates.
Aug 2010	2010 Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution National Survey, by RMS McGladrey - Panoramic view of the industry through the eyes of 1,061 company executives, taken at a time when the American economy is fragile, yet showing clear signs of improvement.
Aug 2010	2010 Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution WA State Survey , by RMS McGladrey - In the spring of 2010, McGladrey conducted its fifth annual Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Survey.
Jan 2010	2010 Opportunities Report and Plan - Innovation Advisory Committee report on the Innovation Research Teams (STARS) accomplishments and plan.
Feb 2009	WEDC Strategic Report - February, 2009 - The Washington Innovation Economy:  New Economic Strategy for Prosperity.
Feb 2009	Executive Summary of the Washington Innovation Economy: New Economic Strategy for Prosperity - 4 Page summary of the WEDC Strategic Report
Dec 2009	SB 6015 Life Sciences, Information & Technology Sector Report - The Department of Commerce release recommendations on developing the Life Sciences, Information and Technology sectors in the State of Washington
Jun 2009	Innovation IRT/IPZ Performance Measures - WEDC Innovation Advisory Committee - Report of outcome/metrics to be provided by the Innovation Partnership Zones, STAR Researchers and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Programs at the University of Washington and Washington State University
Feb 2009	Broadband Inclusion Fact Sheet - Learn facts about WA State current broadband status and what can be done to improve our current "Slow" rating by Akamai reports.
Feb 2009	Beyond Oil by Steve Marshall - Read about a proposed solution migrating to an electric car Washington
Dec 2008	WEDC Economic Development Inventory - The Washington Economic Development Commission has undertaken to develop a comprehensive statewide economic strategy. As a first step in that process, the Commission surveyed state-funded organizations and agencies to assess the breadth, the services and the level of funding dedicated to economic growth in Washington state.
Nov 2008	Cluster Study Report -  by CSW: Paul Sommers, Seattle University, William B. Beyers, University of Washington, Andrew Wenzl, University of WashingtonThis report provides an analysis of industry clusters in 12 Workforce Development Area regions within Washington State.  The report identifies clusters in each region of the state based on measures of comparative advantage and linkages to other industries. In a series of charts, tables and maps for each region, the report provides data on competitive strength, size, historical and projected growth, exports, and innovation potential. The maps for each region show the location of firms in each regional cluster, demonstrating significant geographic agglomeration of clusters throughout the state. Additional maps show the statewide distribution of several clusters found throughout the state, but with many firms grouped together in certain regions.
Jun 2008	Innovation Benchmarks - GSP Consulting, Gerry Paytus - The Washington Technology Center and the Washington Economic Development Commission employed GSP Consulting to assist in an assessment of key indicators that drive an innovation economy. For the past several years, GSP experts have monitored economic trends and conducted rigorous analyses of best and worst economic development practices. Among the many findings, it is clear that the shift from an industrial economy to an “innovation” economy has fundamentally changed economic strategies and the methods of measuring and interpreting new economic growth. Within this modern economic framework, GSP experts have identified three primary and interconnected contexts; 1) Innovation; 2) Vitality; and 3) Socio-Ecology. Each context is associated with discrete indicators that help to reveal not only the current health and direction of an economy but also its capacity to fuel and sustain future wealth generation. GSP experts have found that economies produce the most optimal wealth generating output when these three contexts are aligned and the indicators relating to each demonstrate above average results.
Nov 2007	Moving the Blue Arrow  -  by Higher Education Coordinating Board - The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board is directed by state law to create a strategic master plan for higher education. A new, ten-year plan is to be adopted by the Board and sent to the 2008 session of the Washington Legislature for review and approval.
Apr 2008	Thrive by Council on Competitiveness - The Skills Imperative provides a compelling, short and easily accessible analysis of the key trends underpinning future workforce skills challenges and opportunities in the United States. Drawing upon the Council’s leadership in innovative capacity, Thrive is the first in a series of targeted benchmarking reports published by the Council’s Compete 2.0 Initiative.
Oct 2008	Skills for the Next Washington - Statewide Strategy for Industry Cluster Development by the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board
Apr 2008	System Direction - A system of Accountability & Improvement by the WA State Board of Education
Jun 2008	Scoping Roundtable of Innovation & State Strategies - This report summarizes the themes and lessons of the day. It is divided into four parts, each of which encompasses a number of key ideas. The first part discusses the challenges of creating public policy around innovation. The second part covers human capital, the basic input of the innovation process. The third part reviews the roles of government and various programs that can promote innovation. The fourth section reviews the challenge of measuring innovation and progress toward creating a more innovative economy.
2005	Enhancing WA State's Future - Commercializing Technology Developed in Our Research Institutions by the WEDC
1985	Global Competition: The New Reality, President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness