Working Together for Job Growth & Economic Vitality Across Washington

Summary

Work-session presentation by Suzanne Dale Estey, WEDA Executive Director, about the Washington Economic Development Association and its 2024 draft legislative agenda. It describes WEDA as Washington State's only trade association laser-focused on economic development and names ADO/EDC collective results measured and reported quarterly to Commerce: over 575 businesses expanded or developed new facilities, 842 start ups assisted, over $7.89 billion invested, and over 18,118 new jobs created. It states that 35 regional economic development organizations serve all 39 counties and that Governor Booth Gardner created the Team Washington network in 1985.

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  WORKING TOGETHER FOR JOB GROWTH
& ECONOMIC VITALITY ACROSS WASHINGTON




      Suzanne Dale Estey, WEDA Executive Director
 ABOUT WEDA

 Washington State’s only trade association laser-focused on economic
   development
 WEDA is committed to recovering, retaining, expanding and recruiting jobs and
   investment across all of Washington State
 25th Anniversary in 2020
 Our Strategic Goals: Creating an imperative to empower communities across
   Washington with tools to foster economic vitality and resiliency, assisting
   employers large and small, fostering global competitiveness and growing jobs,
   while supporting an equitable economy and inclusive economic development.
 We Believe: The time is now to rebuild our economic vitality, increase the
   resiliency of employers and communities and strengthen the economic
   development ecosystem at state, regional and local levels.
STATEWIDE CHALLENGES
BUT PROGRESS


                       US Rate:
                       3.8% - 6.4M

                       WA State Rate:
                       3.6% - 146K -- was
                       as high as 16.3% in
                       4/20

                       Sources: WA State ESD;
                       US BLS
WEDA’S 2024 POLICY PRIORITIES

WEDA’s 2024 Legislative Agenda focuses on the most critical
actions lawmakers can take to retain and grow living wage jobs,
foster vibrant communities, support equity and opportunity for all
and spark re-investment across Washington. State:

             2024 --DRAFT-- LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
              Working Together for Job Recovery
            & Economic Vitality Across Washington
      Strengthen the Economic Development Ecosystem
      Foster Catalysts for Job Recovery & Growth
      Increase Economic Vitality for All of Washington
                   There are many important economic development
                   entities and players:

                   Washington State Department of Commerce, including Industry Sector Leads
STRENGTHEN         Other state and federal agencies, WA Small Business Development Centers
THE
                   Economic Development Councils/Associate Development Organizations
ECONOMIC
                   Ports (some are Associate Development Organizations)
DEVELOPMENT
ECOSYSTEM          Local Government – Counties & Cities

                   Tribes
ECONOMIC
                   Association of Washington Business, Washington Roundtable, local Chambers of
DEVELOPMENT IS A   Commerce, private businesses, banks, Community Development Financial
TEAM SPORT         Institutions
                   Colleges & Universities and workforce development partners

                   Community-based Organizations/Non-profits including Washington Commerce’s
                   Small Business Resiliency Network
                   State industry cluster/trade associations (Aerospace Futures Alliance, Washington
                   Technology Industry Association, Life Sciences WA, WA Maritime Federation)
                   Other coalitions/EDOs/regional EDOs/Economic Development Districts/MPOs

                   Labor partners

                   Many more: Visitor & Convention Bureaus, Main Street, MDOs, railroads, utilities,
                   redevelopment agencies, Impact WA, incubators & accelerators
              Associate Development Organizations/Economic
              Development Councils
               Governor Booth Gardner created “Team Washington”
                 network in 1985 – still high-performing 38 years later
               35 regional economic development organizations
                 serve all 39 counties; each region has unique
                 economic needs, approach
STRENGTHEN
               “Ground game” for Washington State Commerce
THE              department; underpin the State’s economic
ECONOMIC         development programs and initiatives
DEVELOPMENT    Enhance economic development service delivery and
                 results statewide through public‐private, state‐local
ECOSYSTEM        partnerships
               Mission: confidential, client-based economic
                 development that public-private partnerships are
                 uniquely equipped to provide
               Critical role as conveners & catalysts
              Associate Development Organizations/Economic
              Development Councils
              COLLECTIVE RESULTS (measured and reported quarterly to
              Commerce):
                 Over the last five years, local ADO/EDCs have helped over
                  575 businesses expand or develop new facilities and
                  assisted 842 start ups.
                 These companies have invested over $7.89 billion in land,
                  buildings and equipment.
STRENGTHEN       These growing businesses have created over 18,118 new
THE               jobs and retained over 18,497 jobs.
                 EDC business clients are estimated to generate over $100
ECONOMIC          million in new tax revenues for Washington State and local
                  communities annually. Every state dollar leverages a match
DEVELOPMENT       of at least six dollars from other public and private sources.
ECOSYSTEM     STRATEGIC DIRECTION & NEEDS:
                 New responsibilities including equity and increased
                  accountability yet no Cost-of-Living, inflation or annual
                  population adjustments
                 Goal: Support & align with state and regional initiatives
                  underway to foster improved workforce development,
                  innovation, sustainability, partnerships & collaboration for
                  results-driven inclusive economic development.
LET’S CONNECT


 Suzanne Dale Estey
 Executive Director
 Washington Economic Development Association
 206-769-4217
 suzanne@wedaonline.org



      www.wedaonline.org

     /WashingtonEconomicDevelopmentAssociation


     /company/washington-economic-development-association/


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