January 28, 1998
BILL ANALYSIS
TO: Members, Committee on Trade and Economic Development
FROM: Kenny Pittman, Research Analyst (786-7392)
RE: HB 2695 - Regarding grant program to support local international marketing efforts.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) is the primary state agency charged with assisting communities or regional areas in their community and economic development efforts. The DCTED works with a variety of local economic development organizations to help Washington businesses market their products and services on a domestic and international basis.
SUMMARY:
An international marketing grant program is created. The purpose of the program is to assist businesses located in distressed areas market their products and services on an international basis.
The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development may provide grants to local economic development councils to assist in the development of international marketing efforts for businesses located in a distressed area. Applications for grant assistance must: (1) Be submitted by a local economic development council; (2) Contain evidence of active participation between the public and private sector; (3) Contain a description of how the proposed project will assist businesses in the marketing of their products and services on an international basis; and (4) Contain other information the department deems necessary.
The department in making awards must: (1) Consider the degree of other funds, including in-kind match, committed to the project; (2) Consider the degree of community and business support for the project; and (3) Consider the coordination of the project with existing state and local economic development efforts in the county. No more than 25 percent of the appropriated funds may be awarded to any one county.