Title: An act relating to economic development grants and assistance.

Brief Description: Expanding the provisions of economic development grants and assistance.

Sponsors: Senators Brown, McAuliffe, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: International Trade & Economic Development: 1/25/06, 1/31/06[DP-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Eide, Roach and Zarelli.

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: There are numerous federal and private economic development assistance programs for which state agencies and local governments and organizations are eligible to apply. There are also numerous opportunities to attract major regional, national, and international business, tourism, and sporting events to the state. Some local and state agencies have had success in garnering non-state support for attracting major events and for economic development projects, but there is no systematic effort to maximize federal and private funds for such events and projects.

Summary of Bill: The Economic Development Grants Program is created in the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. The program is to be staffed by at least one grant writer. Program staff is to stay abreast of grant opportunities from federal and private sources, write grant requests, assist local entities in attracting regional, national, and international business, tourism, and sporting events, and assist state agencies and local consortiums in their grant-seeking efforts.

The department is required to submit to the Legislature an annual list of grant applications submitted, grant awards received, and the total amount of grant funds received during the year. This list is due by December 1 each year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This will provide centralized expertise at the state and the local level to attract funds. This could save us money in the long run by being successful in a couple of efforts that would have otherwise come as a budget request. By developing this in one place, we can inform legislative and executive decision-making. We can see what is being funded and what isn't to establish our niche.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Brown, prime sponsor.