S-1129.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5708
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By Senators T. Sheldon, Hale, Winsley and Oke
Read first time 02/03/1999. Referred to Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions.
AN ACT Relating to long-term economic vitality; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:
It is the legislature's intent to ensure that Washington is positioned for long-term economic vitality. To achieve this objective, economic development efforts should be aimed at: (1) Keeping our growing companies in the state; (2) helping troubled companies stay competitive; (3) marketing Washington state as a viable business location; and (4) finding a strategy that meets two key legislative goals - rural economic development and growth management.
To implement these goals, the legislature finds it necessary to provide funds for a state-wide business retention and expansion partnership and for state-wide marketing and recruiting activities. Furthermore, an advisory board has been created to ensure that funds are leveraged and targeted appropriately.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department shall:
(a) Determine industries that best fit in Washington's rural communities in order to enable the department to allocate incentive funding to encourage these industries to operate within Washington;
(b) Establish criteria to determine which rural counties and businesses should receive financial assistance; and
(c) Commence advertising and publicity efforts, organize tours for site location consultants, print or publish collateral materials and fulfillment pieces, and conduct telemarketing to support advertising and trade missions.
(2) An advisory group shall be created to ensure that the funds dispersed under sections 3 and 4 of this act are leveraged and targeted appropriately. The advisory group will consist of at least five members, residing in small rural communities, picked by the department. The members shall be individuals with special expertise in rural economic development. The members shall be chosen in a manner and form prescribed by the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of section 2 of this act.
(2) The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of section 2 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development to be used for state-wide marketing and recruiting activities described in section 1 of this act.
(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, 2001, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development to be used for state-wide marketing and recruiting activities described in section 1 of this act.
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