- Job Skills Program (JSP) is administered through the community/technical college system and is a cost-share between the employer and the State; each pays 50% of total program cost. The employer contribution can be an in-kind match through employee-paid wages during training and use of the employer’s facility. The program is funded at approximately $2.2 million/year statewide.
- Clean Energy Fund program funds the development, demonstration and deployment of clean energy technology in the State of Washington. The fund focuses on grid modernization, research and development, transportation electrification grants solar deployment incentives, grants for nonprofit lenders.
- Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax Credits are available for eligible aerospace, high technology industries, aluminum smelting, forestry, biomass, businesses and activities statewide. Qualifying activities vary by industry and include property/leasehold taxes paid specific industry business facilities, preproduction development expenditures, and R&D.
- Rural County/CEZ Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax Credits are available for eligible businesses that locate or expand in rural counties or community empowerment zones. Manufacturing, R&D, and computer service firms that create new jobs may receive an as-of-right tax credit of up to $4,000 per job.
- Rural County/CEZ Sales and Use/Public Utility Tax Exemption are available for qualifying new data center operations in rural counties and CEZ zones.
- Sales and Use Tax Exemptions exempts sales and use tax on manufacturing, biofuel, renewable and biomass, semiconductor gases/chemicals, aluminum smelting, farming and agriculture, and associated research/laboratory for specific machinery and equipment used directly in in these industries and research operations including the remittance of sales tax for qualifying warehouses distribution centers and grain elevators.
- Industrial Revenue Bonds are ideal for businesses building or expanding manufacturing and processing facilities as they usually offer companies lower interest loans than are otherwise available on the open market.
- State Tax Increment Financing (TIF) allows local governments to encourage private development in targeted areas by financing public infrastructure and improvements with the additional property taxes from increased property values resulting from that public investment and the ensuing, related private investment.
- Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund (GSRF) is a discretionary job creation/retention incentive that can be used for workforce development, technical or planning assistance, environmental analysis, or relocation assistance. The fund is competitive and is ultimately at the discretion of the Governor.
- Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) provides funding to local governments and federally-recognized tribes for public infrastructure which supports private business growth and expansion. Eligible projects include domestic and industrial water, storm water, wastewater, public buildings, telecommunications, and port facilities.
- Washington Small Business Credit Initiative includes the Collateral Support Program, which can help small businesses secure bridge loans of up to 18 months; Craft3, which serves traditionally underserved businesses that need funding; and finally, the W Fund, which is geared toward start-ups and companies emerging from state universities and research centers.
- Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund is designed to provide financing for properties that require extensive cleanup and reclamation due to contamination. The Brownfields Coalition, which offers this low-interest funding option, can also work with owners and developers to streamline permitting at the local, regional and national level.
- Small Business Flex Fund provides access to flexible, low-interest loans and business support services to small businesses and nonprofits across Washington. Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Fund is a collaborative partnership of local and national community finance organizations created to support Washington’s smallest businesses and address the needs of historically under-resourced and underbanked communities. The Fund includes leaders from across sectors, including local community lenders, national and state-based nonprofit organizations, corporations, philanthropic donors, and investors.
