Egils Milbergs testified before the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee presenting an economic growth and jobs strategy focused on innovation. He reviewed the 2010 legislative priorities adopted by the Washington Economic Development Commission. To view the presentation Download Egils Milbergs Presentation v.1.6 Jan-21-10
Egils Milbergs, executive director of the Washington Economic Development Commission, testified January 21, 2010 before the House Community &Economic Development & Trade Committee in Olympia Washington, chaired by Representative Phyllis Kenney. In his remarks he pointed out that innovation has been a hallmark of US economic leadership in the 20th century. But now the tables are turning. "Governments, regions, cities across the planet have come to the view that science, technology and innovation are integral to economic growth and development. They have set out to build more knowledge intensive economies in which research, its commercial exploitation and intellectual work will...
Gov. Chris Gregoire today unveiled her plan to create as many as 40,000 jobs over the next three years while speaking at the 38th Annual Economic Forecast Conference hosted by enterpriseSeattle. "Despite our budget constraints, I believe we can and must encourage employers to start hiring and capitalize on new opportunities," Gregoire said. "We need to think creatively and act swiftly. So I have developed a 10-point plan to accelerate our recovery and give businesses the confidence they need to create jobs." Key elements of the plan include: A Business & Occupation tax credit for large capital projects equal to...
The Washington Economic Development Commission (www.wedc.wa.gov)meets Tuesday, December 8 at Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center. The major agenda item is consideration of WEDC issue priorities for the upcoming legislative session and longer term. Rogers Weed will report on Commerce department reorganization (www.commerce.wa.gov ). Mark Emmert, president of University of Washington and Don Brunell president of Association of Washington Business will also be presenting perspectives on the innovation economy.
Washington State ranks fifth among the states in its public policy climate for small business and entrepreneurship in the "Small Business Survival Index 2009: Ranking the Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship across the Nation." This annual ranking of the states is prepared by the Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council). The "Small Business Survival Index" is a composite measure of which states are friendly to small business, and which are not in terms of public policy decisions. The 2009 Index has been expanded to cover 36 major government-imposed or government-related costs affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs. The measures are added together...
A tour of PACCAR's Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Renton was part of the day for Lt. Gov. Owen and members of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations on Nov. 5. In the photo, the lieutenant governor hears details of plant operation from Sean Smith, facilities engineering manager. At a meeting at Renton City Hall the committee learned how the innovation and technology sectors help drive the state economy. You can watch the meeting on TVW. For more information on the Washington Innovation Economy go to: www.wedc.wa.gov
The Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee held a work session and received updates on the Washington Economic Development Commission's Strategic Plan; an update on the state's broadband efforts (E2SHB 1701); school districts' strategic planning in response to State Auditor's performance audit; and, the Commerce department report on SSB 6015 regarding commercialization of life sciences and information and communication technology. Watch Video of the work session Download Egils Milbergs 12-3-09 Senate Economic Development Committee Presentation 2.0
As part of her continuing 21st Century Government Reform initiative, Gov. Chris Gregoire took executive action today by announcing several significant reform measures to ensure Washington state delivers services more efficiently and effectively. Gregoire first signed an executive order eliminating 17 boards and commissions while announcing she will introduce legislation to eliminate an additional 78. To see a list of the boards and commissions affected, visit: http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/boards_and_commissions.pdf. New legislation also will make multiple organizational changes to small state agencies. Currently, 64 small cabinet agencies and boards operate under the authority of a board. This legislation would reduce or eliminate about...
The Department of Energy has selected a Northwest team to conduct a regional smart grid demonstration project designed to expand existing electric infrastructure and test new smart grid technology with up to 60,000 customers in five states. The 8 million Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project was one of 16 regional smart grid demonstration awards announced by DOE today. The project team combines energy providers, utilities, vendors and research organizations and will be managed by Battelle. "We're thankful to Secretary Chu, the Department of Energy and to our project team members for the opportunity to bring transformational smart grid science...
The National Academies STEP Committee on Best Practice in State and Regional Innovation Initiatives hosted a conference June 3, 2009 titled "Growing Innovation Clusters for American Prosperity" in Washington, DC. Opened by Susan Crawford, the White House Advisor for Science, Technology, and Innovation, the conference brought together Arizona State University President Michael Crow and the University of Akron President Luis Proenza along with a diverse group of practitioners and experts from around the country with direct experience in the development and growth of innovation clusters. Karen Mills, the new Administrator for the Small Business Administration, gave the conference luncheon address...
