S-2180.1 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5909
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Oke and Owen)
Read first time 03/03/93.
AN ACT Relating to the diversification of the economies of defense-dependent communities; amending RCW 43.63A.450; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 43.63A.450 and 1990 c 278 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
The community diversification program is created in the department of community development. The program shall include:
(1) The monitoring and forecasting of shifts in the economic prospects of major defense employers in the state. This shall include but not be limited to the monitoring of defense contract expenditures, other federal contracts, defense employment shifts, the aircraft and aerospace industry, computer products, and electronics;
(2) The identification of cities, counties, or regions within the state that are primarily dependent on defense or other federal contracting and the identification of firms dependent on federal defense contracts;
(3) Assistance to communities in broadening the local economic base through the provision of management assistance, assistance in financing, entrepreneurial training, and assistance to businesses in using off-the-shelf technology to start new production processes or introduce new products;
(4) Formulating a state plan for diversification in defense dependent communities in collaboration with the employment security department, the department of trade and economic development, and the office of financial management. The plan shall use the information made available through carrying out subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The plan shall also focus on specific methods of utilizing the unique economic development assets, including the high concentration of skilled workers and technological base affiliated with existing industrial jobs, of communities likely to experience economic transition as a result of reduced federal defense spending such as Kitsap and Island counties. The plan shall identify obstacles to diversification, such as insufficient infrastructure and lack of access to capital, and strategies for overcoming them. To the extent practicable, the plan shall develop specific strategies for each affected community or region. The department shall consult with local government officials, local economic development officials, relevant business groups, and local institutions of higher education in formulating the plan; and
(5) The identification of diversification
efforts conducted by other states, the federal government, and other nations,
and the provision of information on these efforts, as well as information
gained through carrying out subsections (1) and (2) of this section, to firms,
communities, and ((workforces)) work forces that are defense
dependent.
The department shall, beginning January 1, 1992, report annually to the governor and the legislature on the activities of the community diversification program and provide recommendations for specific actions and the time frames for accomplishing them.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The sum of forty-nine thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of community development for assisting Kitsap county in its community diversification efforts. Any funds from this appropriation remaining unexpended on June 30, 1993, are hereby reappropriated to the department of community development for the purposes stated in this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.
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