CERB Export Assistance Program Coordinator
Dawn Eychaner
(360) 725-4052

 
CERB Export Assistance
 
CERB Export Assistance Program
The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) is statutorily authorized ( RCW 43.160 ) to finance public infrastructure improvements that encourage new business development and expansion in areas seeking economic growth.

In the 2010 Supplemental Capital Budget ( ESHB 2836 ), Section 1018, the Washington Legislature entrusted CERB with the administration of a new Export Assistance Program. CERB received $3 million to provide “…grants and loans to local governments and public institutions of higher education for technical assistance and infrastructure to support growth of export of Washington state products and services.”

On June 22, 2010, Governor Gregoire announced a new state export initiative designed to open additional export opportunities for Washington businesses and create jobs. The Governor identified the CERB Export Assistance funds as one component of the statewide strategy to achieve the following goals over the next five years:

  • Increase the number of Washington businesses exporting to 10,500
  • Assist 5,000 Washington businesses to achieve $600 million in new export sales

CERB has awarded grant funding to five projects which serve these goals. 
  • University of Washington Center for Commercialization
  • Washington State University, Small Business Development Center Network
  • Western Washington University, Center for Economic Vitality
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    Eligible Applicants & Projects
    Eligible recipients of the Export Assistance Program funds are Washington state public institutions of higher education and local governments, including: port districts, counties, cities, towns, special purpose districts, and any other municipal corporations or quasi-municipal corporations in the state.

    Tribes and private organizations, including private non-profits, are not eligible to be a direct recipient of funds under the Export Assistance Program. However, projects proposed by non-eligible fund recipients were accepted for the initial level of review (RFQ). If a project was selected for further consideration, a non-eligible recipient was required tp partner with an eligible recipient in order for their proposal to be considered.

    Eligible projects under the Export Assistance Program include projects that provide a convincing link to growing the export of Washington state products and/or services within five years.