In early November, Rogers Weed, the former Microsoft executive chosen last spring to head the new Washington Department of Commerce — the former Department of Trade and Economic Development — presented Gov. Christine Gregoire with his wide-ranging recommendations to create new jobs and jumpstart the state’s sagging economy.
The report, “Defining Commerce: Next Steps in Our Mission to Grow and Improve Jobs,” also will go to the state Legislature, presenting a plan to restructure the department and set new priorities.
“After listening carefully to business and community leaders, employers and our other key stakeholders around the state, we believe the priorities and organization laid out in this report provide a framework to succeed in keeping Washington state competitive and helping our communities and economies thrive,” said Weed.
Reforming Commerce marks the latest effort under Gov. Gregoire’s call to reduce bureaucracy and streamline operations in state government, including elimination of 54 boards and commissions by executive order and a major initiative underway to assess and consolidate the work of multiple natural resource agencies.
Gregoire has announced that her Office of Regulatory Assistance will move its business solutions manager to Commerce and, along with business leaders from around the state, endorsed the Commerce priorities for a more focused economic development agency.
Commerce’s final structure and any additional program shifts will be determined by the Governor and the Legislature.
The report is basesd on an unprecedented statewide outreach effort to gather feedback from business and industry groups, local governments, utilities, community service agencies, housing groups, nonprofits, fellow state agencies, Commerce employees, legislators, and other stakeholders.
The Commerce recommendation to the Legislature is built on four “global” priorities affecting all Washington businesses — competitiveness, education and workforce training, more efficient regulation, and infrastructure investment — as well as four targeted priorities: sector focus, rural focus, small business focus, and community capacity.
The plan also aligns with the Washington Economic Development Commission’s Feb. 2009 proposal for sustaining a world-class innovation economy in the state.
“Government doesn’t create jobs, businesses do. About 80 percent of our state’s economy comes from private sector activity, so we must have a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between government and the business community if we are to succeed in our mission to grow and improve jobs throughout the state,” said Rogers Weed, Director of the Department of Commerce.
Representatives from business and industry groups, local governments, utilities, community services, housing, non-profits, fellow state agencies, legislators, and others contributed input and feedback for the Commerce report submitted in November.
Gregoire also announced that her Office of Regulatory Assistance will move its business solutions manager to Commerce. This brings ORA’s leadership of the 10-agency small business liaison team into Commerce, and places an even larger emphasis on small business growth. In addition, Commerce will look for ways to improve the state’s business Web portal, www.business.wa.gov.
The Governor has also directed ORA to work closely with Commerce and strengthen the relationships between Commerce and the natural resource agencies.
“The Department of Commerce priorities are focused on many of the areas we need to drive job growth in our regional economies, and we are pleased to be counted as a partner in the work ahead,” said Bob Drewel, executive director, Puget Sound Regional Council.
Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, said he appreciates “the work of Rogers in his effort to re-define the Washington State Department of Commerce, and, more importantly, to grow jobs and the economy.”
“Job creation needs to be Washington state’s top priority. Establishing a state Department of Commerce focused on retaining existing jobs and attracting new ones is an important step. State businesses can get behind a smart, strategic effort that makes creation of jobs a primary focus of government,” said Steve Mullin, president, Washington Roundtable.
“Small business is an engine of economic growth. Moving the ORA small business functions to Commerce broadens support and reinvigorates the statewide focus on providing world class assistance to Washington’s businesses” said Faith Lumsden, director of the Office of Regulatory Assistance.
“States that are truly competitive in growing and attracting businesses and retaining a solid workforce are those that have a fully-engaged, focused, driven and well-managed department whose mission is to make their state highly competitive. In Washington, we have that now more than ever and at the helm, Rogers Weed, who will make that happen,” said Phil Bussey, president and CEO, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
“We applaud the efforts of the new Department of Commerce to tap into their network of partner organizations in order to determine how Washington State can be more competitive. Their new business plan outlines how job growth and increased private investment can be achieved by focusing on education, efficient regulation and a sound infrastructure, and by close coordination with regional resources,” said Rich Hadley, president and CEO, Greater Spokane Incorporated.
“A more focused Department of Commerce will be better positioned to enhance Washington’s competitiveness and take advantage of the strong network of economic development professionals across the state,” said Carl Adrian, Tri-Cities Economic Development Corporation.
“It’s great to see the department of Commerce led by an experienced business leader who has focused the organization around a set of strategies that aim to further build our innovation based industries,” said Ken Myer, president and CEO, Washington Technology Industry Association.
“We are in the midst of a fundamental transformation of our state economy and Commerce has placed its priorities in the right place to capitalize on our core strengths and biggest opportunities for growth — particularly with respect to creating globally competitive knowledge and innovation-based industries,” he said.
For more information on the Department of Commerce and Weed’s proposed new economic program, visit www.commerce.wa.gov.
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