Publications

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

Dec 2011 Economic Climate Study by WA Economic & Revenue Forecast Council - This report updates the State of Washington’s Economic ClimateStudy, 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.

July, 2011
What Makes and IPZ Click? WEDC in-depth research on three of the WA Innovation Partnership Zones and recommendations for improvement

April 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 CenterExamination 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

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
Dec 2011		Economic Climate Study by WA Economic & Revenue Forecast Council - This report updates the State of Washington’s Economic ClimateStudy, 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.
July, 2011		What Makes and IPZ Click? WEDC in-depth research on three of the WA Innovation Partnership Zones and recommendations for improvement
April 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 CenterExamination 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