HB 2337 - DIGEST

Requires the department of community, trade, and economic development to: (1) Consider the societal benefits of unleashing the innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial talents of the Washington state workforce to "innovate here" through application development and patent commercialization for the aerospace industry;

(2) Using existing resources, immediately engage in a worldwide search for potential investors in aerospace plant and equipment in Washington state;

(3) Invite aerospace manufacturing companies to "choose Washington" for their next expansion by featuring the aerospace manufacturing industry tax incentives, fee waivers, expenditure discounts, and any other preferences approved by the legislature in 2003;

(4) Assist small businesses that are locally owned and operated by enterprising engineers, machinists, mechanics, and other innovators in commercializing their patents and innovations, and partner with Washington manufacturing services to ensure that these new enterprises have access to advance manufacturing processes; and

(5) Work in partnership with all major stakeholders on efforts to recruit new investors and to retain and expand the existing aerospace industry cluster.

Encourages the department to pursue direct foreign investment by the global aerospace sector.