Abstract:

Seattle has added 9,400 private-sector jobs in the past five years, which is eighth-best in the country for that time span, according to figures released Wednesday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read the PSBJ article.

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Seattle ranked ninth overall on a list of U.S. cities that offer the most to working moms, which was published by ForbesWoman magazine. Read the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

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According to a new report from the Brookings Institution, Seattle ranked No. 10 among the 100 largest metropolitan areas, with more than $24 billion in exports in 2008 and representing 2.3 percent of all metro exports. The competition above us includes New York, LA, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco. Read the full article in the Seattle Times.

Abstract:

Washingtonians pay a lower percentage of their income in state and local taxes than do residents of 29 other states, according to a report issued today by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Read the full article at the Washington State Department of Revenue's website.

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After years of watching its traditional log exporting activity dwindle, the Port of Grays Harbor says its efforts to diversify its business are paying off. Read the full article in the Olympian.

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Three reports gave Washington high marks in venture capital this month. The state was named fifth in access to capital by CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business report. In addition, according to the Seattle Times, a Dow Jones VentureSource report ranked Washington third “out of all states in terms of money raised.” And, TechFlash reported Washington fifth in venture capital investments based off a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers/NVCA MoneyTree.

Abstract:

The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) announced more than $2 million in public investments targeting business growth and job creation across the state. The funds will support economic development in Grays Harbor and Klickitat counties, including a rail expansion and infrastructure development. Read the press release.

Abstract:

Alaska Airlines was named the top performing airline in the world by industry magazine Aviation Week. According to the News Tribune, “Alaska bumped Singapore Airlines, which has held the top spot in the survey for five consecutive years.” Read the article in the News Tribune or see the full report at Aviation Week.

Abstract:

This central Washington city known for its agricultural production is fast becoming a high-tech hub, and local officials hope the trend continues with a new tax break intended to lure more technology companies to the area. Read the full article in the Examiner.

Abstract:

CNBC today released its America’s Top States for Business 2010 ranking. Washington made the list at No. 15. The annual report scores states on different measures of competitiveness and categories including cost of doing business, workforce, economy, quality of life and innovation. Washington ranked fifth in technology and innovation, fifth in access to capital, eighth in quality of life and 18th in the strength of its economy. Read the report at CNBC.

Abstract:

Money Magazine ranked Bellevue, Wash., 4th in its Best Places to Live 2010 list. The magazine cites the city’s recent increase in tech jobs, diverse population, quality of education, mountainous views, parks and entertainment scene. Shoreline, Wash., also made the list at No. 64. See the full rankings at Money Magazine.

Abstract:

Northwest aviation industry leaders — including airport and aircraft operators and airplane builders — have launched a project to free flight from petroleum. Read the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

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Ground was broken Wednesday on a $100 million carbon fiber production plant in Moses Lake, Wash., that’s being built by BMW Group and SGL Group. Read the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Abstract:

A delegation of nearly 200 Chinese business and government leaders, organized by the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and led by Yu Ping, Vice Chairman of CCPIT, visited Seattle on June 30, 2010. The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the Washington State China Relations Council put on a 4-hour seminar, in Mandarin Chinese, on investment opportunities in Washington State for the group.

Rogers Weed, Director of Commerce, welcomed the delegation to Bell Harbor International Conference Center, followed by Eric Hsu from the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Seattle. Program topics included Doing Business in Washington State, Renewable Energy Opportunities, Investment in Life Science Industries, the Washington State Tax Environment, Investor Programs, and a presentation on logistics and foreign trade zones from the Port of Seattle.
 
Secretary of State Sam Reed presided over a VIP luncheon welcoming the group to Washington state, and Port of Seattle Commissioner Rob Holland was in attendance.
 
The group came to Seattle after visiting the Canada China Business Forum in Ottawa, and attending the G-20 Business Summit in Toronto.

Julie Bennion (206) 256-6132

Abstract:

Site Selection Online has announced Washington State ranks #2 in the nation for sustainability. Read the report here.

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The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) announced that $3 million in loans and grants are now available to local governments and public higher education institutions through a new Export Assistance Program. Read the full news release.

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Washington state will get $1.32 million in federal stimulus funds to install electric vehicle charging stations along Interstate 5. Read the full article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

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Bally Technologies, Inc., a leader in slots, video machines, casino-management, and networked and server-based systems for the global gaming industry, reinforced its longtime commitment to customers in Washington State by announcing that it is expanding its game cabinet product offering for that market to include the Company's most cutting-edge new Pro Series(TM) cabinets, as well as the ALPHA Elite(R) V32, Digital Tower Series, and Reel Image(TM), the industry's only video cabinet that plays just like a spinning-reel game. Read the article in Market Watch.

Abstract:

Gov. Chris Gregoire today helped celebrate the expansion of Microsoft’s data center in Quincy. Construction is expected to create approximately 200 jobs. Read the full press release on the Governor's website.

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Gov. Chris Gregoire announced a plan Tuesday to boost state exports by 30 percent in the next five years and escalate new export sales by $600 million. Read more in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

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A price war is heating up in the electronic reader market, as online retailer Amazon.com cut the price of its Kindle e-reader below $200 Monday just after Barnes & Noble did the same with its competing Nook device. Read the article in the Seattle Times.

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Alaska Airlines is launching a new route between its Seattle hub and St. Louis. The airline, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK), said daily service between the two cities will begin on Sept. 27. Read the full article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Abstract:

Washington is among 17 states that have more private-sector jobs today than they did 10 years ago, according to new figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Washington gained 29,600 private-sector positions between May 2000 and May 2010 — the 14th-best performance by any state. Read the article in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Abstract:

Three years ago Ben Huh visited a blog devoted to silly cat pictures — and saw vast potential. Mr. Huh, a 32-year-old entrepreneur, first became aware of I Can Has Cheezburger, which pairs photos of cats with quirky captions, after it linked to his own pet blog. His site immediately crumbled under the resulting wave of visitors. Read the article in the New York Times.

Abstract:

Starbucks will offer free Wi-Fi service at its U.S. stores starting July 1, CEO Howard Schultz announced Monday. Read more in the Puget Sound Business Journal.