The Washington Economic Development Association has released its legislative agenda for 2022. While it makes clear that Washington State has made progress toward recovery from the massive hits of COVID-19, communities, small businesses and industry sectors are still struggling.

Focused on all of Washington State

WEDA is the state’s trade association laser-focused on economic development. Its 2022 legislative agenda zeroes on the most critical actions Washington State lawmakers and agencies can take to help communities across the state recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow living-wage jobs, foster vibrant communities, support equity and opportunity, and spark re-investment.

WEDA’s top legislative priorities for this session are:

1. 1. Strengthen the economic development ecosystem.
   2. Foster catalysts for job recovery and growth.
   3. Increase prosperity for all of Washington State.

Specifically, WEDA is requesting economic support/protection for:

• • State-level leadership and funding for economic development, including full support for business recruitment, retention and expansion projects.
  • Funding for regional capacity to coordinate and delivery economic development services.
  • Small business microenterprise recovery with enhanced technical assistance and initiatives that support entrepreneurship and strengthen the small business ecosystem.
  • Strategies to aid the tourism/hospitality and manufacturing sectors.
  • Governor Inslee’s request for $7.5M for the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to build infrastructure that fosters job growth in urban and rural counties, and $2.5M for grants for shovel-ready manufacturing sites.
  • State public works programs designed to help businesses recover and expand.
  • Increased broadband capacity.
  • Increased investment in road and transit infrastructure, maintenance and services.
  • The Economic Development Strategic Fund.
  • Targeted incentives to foster innovation clusters and stimulate private investment.
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Extension of the .09 percent sales and use tax for public facilities and economic development activities in rural Washington State counties.

Read the full WEDA 2022 Economic Legislative Agenda.