H-4161.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2694

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

By Representatives Morris, DeBolt, Doumit, Mielke, Linville, Kessler, Gardner, Ogden, Butler, Anderson and O'Brien

Read first time 01/19/98.  Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

Promoting regional business recruitment efforts.

    AN ACT Relating to grants to promote regional business recruitment efforts; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) There is established in the department a grant program to support business recruitment efforts.  The purpose of the program is to assist local associate development organizations in business recruitment efforts by providing grants to assist in marketing the area to businesses on a national and international basis.

    (2) Applications for funding under this section must:

    (a) Be submitted by either a local associate development organization or a consortium of associate development organizations;

    (b) Contain evidence of active participation in the development of the business recruitment effort between local governments, the community, and other local development organizations that serve the region;

    (c) Contain a description of the proposed project and how it will assist the region in its business recruitment efforts; and

    (d) Contain other information the director deems necessary.

    (3) In making grants under this section, the department shall give preference to applications based on the following criteria:

    (a) The degree of leverage of other funds, including in-kind match, committed to the project;

    (b) The degree of community support for the proposed project; and

    (c) The degree the proposed project is coordinated with existing state or local business recruitment efforts.

    (4) The funding of an activity under this section is not an obligation of the state of Washington to provide ongoing funding in future years.

    (5) The director may establish, by rule, such other requirements as the director may reasonably determine necessary and appropriate to assure that the purpose of this section is satisfied.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.

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