Congratulations to Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator, one of 10 projects awarded $200,000 through the Washington State Department of Commerce Evergreen Manufacturing grant option.

This second round of state grants are intended to accelerate manufacturing growth and economic opportunity across the state.

Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator is aligned with the state’s goal to double manufacturing within 10 years and builds on two successful Pierce County programs – Spaceworks creative enterprise business incubator and the Pierce County Business Accelerator. The third piece is to provide capital to existing businesses to expand production and workforce, according to Ryan Spence, Director of the Manufacturing Industrial Council (MIC) for the South Sound.

“The vision is to co-locate start-ups with legacy manufacturers, accelerate business development and reduce barriers to success,” Spence said.

Evergreen Manufacturing grant funding will be used to:

• Develop a new manufacturing space for micro enterprise, research and development, and start-ups. A historic manufacturing facility in Tacoma will be repurposed to create Willamette Manufacturing Studios, which will provide 25,000-square-feet of accessible light manufacturing spaces that will allow new manufacturing businesses to scale in place.
• Enhance workforce development through creation of manufacturing centered curriculum for business incubation and a pilot cohort slated for spring of 2025.
• Support legacy manufacturers, including Tacoma-based TRUE linkswear (golf shoes), ©cure (custom screen printing) and Tacoma Design Company (handmade personalized items).

Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator is expected to launch 10 new manufacturing businesses and create 40-50 new jobs over the next 3 years.