BILL REQ. #: S-0537.1
| State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2005 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/20/2005. Referred to Committee on International Trade & Economic Development.
AN ACT Relating to economic development grants; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that state-supported
economic development efforts, including work force training, technology
transfer, and industrial modernization, can make a significant
difference in the health and diversification of the state's economy.
There are numerous federal and private economic development grant
programs and research projects designed to increase the competitiveness
of American firms and local work forces, for which state agencies and
local consortiums are eligible to apply. The legislature further
finds that state agencies in Washington have not maximized the
opportunities available to receive federal and private funds to augment
state economic development efforts.
The legislature declares that it is the state's policy to maximize
the use of federal and private funds for economic development purposes
and to devote state resources to leverage federal and private dollars
to supplement state economic development efforts. In furtherance of
this policy, it is the purpose of section 2 of this act to authorize
and fund a technical assistance and grant writing program within the
department of community, trade, and economic development.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW
to read as follows:
The economic development grants program is created in the
department to be staffed by at least one grant writer either on
contract or on staff. Program staff shall:
(1) Regularly review the federal register for opportunities to
apply for grants, research projects, and demonstration projects;
(2) Stay abreast of grant opportunities with private foundations
and businesses;
(3) Correspond and meet with federal officials, including those in
the small business administration, the department of labor, the
department of commerce, and the department of health and human
services, as well as foundation and business officials, on the
prospects for obtaining federal and private funds for economic
development purposes in Washington state;
(4) Apprise the agency directors and division heads of the
department of community, trade, and economic development, the
employment security department, the department of agriculture, the
Washington technology center, the Washington manufacturing service, and
other state agencies as appropriate, of the opportunities for federal
and private grant dollars for economic development projects;
(5) Assist state agencies in their grant-seeking efforts for
economic development projects. Grant writing for and assistance in
grant writing for projects sponsored or cosponsored by state agencies
shall be the highest priority of the program's work;
(6) Write grant requests to further the state's economic
development efforts;
(7) Facilitate joint efforts between agencies and between local
consortiums and state agencies that will increase the likelihood of
success in grant seeking; and
(8) Garner the political support necessary from federal and state
elected and appointed officials for success in grant seeking.