BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to economic development grants; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that state-supported economic development efforts, including work force training, technology transfer, and industrial modernization, can make a significant difference in the health and diversification of the state's economy. There are numerous federal and private economic development grant programs and research projects designed to increase the competitiveness of American firms and local work forces, for which state agencies and local consortiums are eligible to apply. The legislature further finds that state agencies in Washington have not maximized the opportunities available to them to facilitate the receipt of federal and private funds by Washington firms, nor have they maximized the opportunities available to receive federal funds directly to augment state economic development efforts.

The legislature declares that it is the state's policy to maximize the use of federal and private funds for economic development purposes and to devote state resources to leverage federal and private dollars to supplement state economic development efforts. In furtherance of this policy, it is the purpose of section 2 of this act to authorize and fund a technical assistance and grant writing program within the department of community, trade, and economic development.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The economic development grants program is created in the department. The program shall be operated by a managing director with the support of at least one grant writer either on contract or on staff. The managing director shall:

(1) Regularly review the federal register for opportunities to apply for grants, research projects, and demonstration projects;

(2) Stay abreast of grant opportunities with private foundations;

(3) Correspond and meet with federal officials, including those in the small business administration, the department of labor, the department of commerce, and the department of health and human services, as well as foundation officials, on the prospects for obtaining federal and private funds for economic development purposes in Washington state;

(4) Work with the agency heads and division directors of the departments of community, trade, and economic development, the employment security department, the department of agriculture, the Washington technology center, and other state agencies as appropriate, to apprise them of the opportunities for federal and private grant dollars for economic development projects;

(5) Work with business, labor, and community groups to apprise them of the opportunities for federal and private grant dollars for economic development projects via publications, electronic bulletin boards, or toll-free phone lines;

(6) Assist state agencies in their grant-seeking efforts for economic development projects. Grant writing for and assistance in grant writing for projects sponsored or cosponsored by state agencies shall be the highest priority of the program's work;

(7) Assist local business, labor, and community consortiums in their grant-seeking efforts for economic development projects;

(8) Facilitate coordination and linkages between agencies and between local consortiums and state agencies that will increase the likelihood of success in grant seeking; and

(9) Garner the political support necessary from federal and state elected and appointed officials for success in grant seeking.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall ensure that the business assistance center, the small business development centers, and the associate development organizations that operate under the authority of the department notify their constituencies and clients of the availability of the technical assistance services of the economic development grants program created in section 2 of this act.