<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><b>Subject:</b> <b>Washington State Digital Equity Plan wins approval, $15.9 million in federal funding</b><br><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>Reply-To:</b> WAStateCommerce@public.govdelivery.com<br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">
<title> Washington State Digital Equity Plan wins approval, $15.9 million in federal funding
</title>
<meta content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1.0">
<meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no">
<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="center" style="background-color: #ffffff; padding: 0px; font-size:1px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color:#ffffff" valign="top">
State share of $2.75 billion in federal funding will unlock opportunities to connect communities, access computers and digital skills
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<!--[if (gte mso 9)|(IE)]>
<table style="display:none"><tr><td><a name="gd_top" id="gd_top"></a></td></tr></table>
<![endif]-->
<a name="gd_top" id="gd_top"></a>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" align="center" class="gd_tbl_wrap"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100% !important"><table class="main-table" width="600" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="yahoo" style="width: 600px; border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="100%" style="padding: 0px 0;" class="mobile-padding">
<table class="main-table" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="100%" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; padding: 0 0 1px;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<table width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td id="view-in-browser" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="View in Browser" class="thin" style="padding: 0px 0px 20px 30px;">
<p style="line-height: 1.1; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;" align="right">Having trouble viewing this email? <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYWNjb3VudHMvV0FET0MvYnVsbGV0aW5zLzM5M2I4ODQiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxIn0.wiEh1dtKsQKXa-RiFXzNh5qyfYcoRrADDlV9zTdzS38/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="View it online" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">View it online</a></p>
<img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2020/01/3075461/logo-rgb-250x90_original.png" style="width: 251px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="Commerce Logo" width="251" height="90" data-unique-identifier="">
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="banner-bg" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Banner Background" style="background-color: #0982A0; padding: 0px 0 0px 0px;" bgcolor="#0982A0">
<table class="main-table" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="100%" class="tablecell" align="left" valign="top">
<table width="100%" align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td id="banner-content" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Banner Content" style="padding: 30px;">
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #FFFFFF; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 9px;"> </p>
<h1 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-weight: normal; color: #FFFFFF; font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 55px; text-align: left;" align="left">News Release</h1>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="top-image" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Top Image">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="image-bar" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Image Bar" style="background-color: #0982A0; padding: 0px 30px;" bgcolor="#0982A0">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="story-content" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Story Content" style="padding: 30px 30px 0px;">
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;"><strong>April 1, 2024</strong></p>
<h1 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1; font-weight: bold; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 25px;"><strong>Washington State Digital Equity Plan wins approval, $15.9 million in federal funding </strong></h1>
<h2 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-weight: normal; color: #0982A0; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 17px;"><strong>Washington’s share of $2.75 billion in federal funding will unlock opportunities to connect communities, support access to computers and digital skills programs</strong></h2>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">OLYMPIA, Wash. --- Washington's <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZGVwdG9mY29tbWVyY2UuYXBwLmJveC5jb20vcy91Mno5eTZ0dXgyejl5cHN2YnN1b21uMGthODV3M3A4dyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.VaL38v4htMVBaL1ljV__WPY-4LpWaHFmd1FOcs7RoN0/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Digital Equity Plan</a> has been <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYnJvYWRiYW5kdXNhLm50aWEuZG9jLmdvdi9uZXdzL2xhdGVzdC1uZXdzL2JpZGVuLWhhcnJpcy1hZG1pbmlzdHJhdGlvbi1hbGxvY2F0ZXMtbW9yZS04MDAtbWlsbGlvbi1pbmNyZWFzZS1kaWdpdGFsLWluY2x1c2lvbiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.4LxYLHQ85rR6OqA-GIIZruQADDvx01zE7KRqxFDELZ0/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration</a> (NTIA), bringing with it approximately $15.9 million in available federal funding from the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The plan addresses disparities and identifies barriers to digital access, skills and affordability across the state. It establishes measurable objectives for promoting access to high-speed internet, meaningful use of broadband technology, and advancing digital skills.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">“This is an important milestone for our state. Bridging the digital divide isn't just about technology, but unlocking opportunities for all,” said Director of Washington State Broadband Office Aaron Wheeler. “Digital equity empowers individuals and strengthens our communities. I look forward to continuing this critical work with our partners across the state to reduce digital inequalities and increase digital inclusion.”</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">“Today, Washington is taking a major step toward closing the digital divide,” said Angela Thi Bennett, Director of Digital Equity, NTIA. “The state's digital equity plan will make certain everyone in Washington possesses the digital skills, tools, and capacity to thrive.”</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZGVwdG9mY29tbWVyY2UuYm94LmNvbS9zL3Uyejl5NnR1eDJ6OXlwc3Zic3VvbW4wa2E4NXczcDh3IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.hC5Q2yc2Fs75lm9JD81JY92TXSSf7Sf8z8j8PtIr0lM/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">View Washington’s Digital Equity Plan</a></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">The NTIA expects to begin issuing funds to states by the end of summer. The Washington State Broadband Office at the Department of Commerce plans to use the funds earmarked for Washington to implement a <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYnJvYWRiYW5kdXNhLm50aWEuZG9jLmdvdi9mdW5kaW5nLXByb2dyYW1zL0RpZ2l0YWxfRXF1aXR5X0NhcGFjaXR5X0dyYW50X1Byb2dyYW0iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxIn0.s3omwiAvLUkxKWhk70NhON_4A85KxPVWwtwbY116_JI/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Digital Equity Capacity Grant program.</a> Information on the new grant program, including eligible applicants, instructions and timelines to apply, will be shared as it becomes available. <u></u></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYnJvYWRiYW5kdXNhLm50aWEuZG9jLmdvdi9mdW5kaW5nLXByb2dyYW1zL2RpZ2l0YWwtZXF1aXR5LWFjdC1wcm9ncmFtcyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.zylrFl5S87qvC12p8irK-4pzSnI8k8dE04tTz5HHyKQ/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">The Digital Equity Act,</a> part of the Internet for All initiative and President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, will provide $2.75 billion nationally to create three grant programs promoting digital equity and inclusion. The program aims to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">Washington has been leading digital equity efforts to bring broadband services and digital skills to all. When the State Digital Equity Scorecard was launched by the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3RhdGUtc2NvcmVjYXJkLmRpZ2l0YWxpbmNsdXNpb24ub3JnL3Njb3JlY2FyZC9ieV9zdGF0ZS9XQSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.evS4bnmmh5a7bAOTS-tfdKIyuO2m8SLjZEvo953SWEo/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">National Skills Coalition, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and Microsoft in 2021</a>, Washington was the only state in the country to receive a perfect score. Commerce's <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNvbW1lcmNlLndhLmdvdi9idWlsZGluZy1pbmZyYXN0cnVjdHVyZS93YXNoaW5ndG9uLXN0YXRld2lkZS1icm9hZGJhbmQtYWN0L2RpZ2l0YWwtbmF2aWdhdG9yLXByb2dyYW0vIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.kZVFXa1ysT4HCMzk1tWQUDk93HbXeV73hRzmCxj3K3s/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Digital Navigator Program</a> exemplifies Washington's commitment to this critical work.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;">Please visit <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNvbW1lcmNlLndhLmdvdi9idWlsZGluZy1pbmZyYXN0cnVjdHVyZS93YXNoaW5ndG9uLXN0YXRld2lkZS1icm9hZGJhbmQtYWN0L2ludGVybmV0LWZvci1hbGwtd2EvYmVhZC8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxIn0.2Obm6-YeV1uFLe2eBPfBFFMiEFih7rRrcO9qC8E8cW4/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">the Commerce website</a> to learn more about the state’s Internet for All Initiative.</p>
<p style="text-align: center; line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;" align="center">###</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica;"> </p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; line-height: 1.4; font-weight: normal; color: #555555; font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.CObSL5wr8-nIJt3Ov-oUfQryVyrdmKr6Av-9QO4UEjo/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Media Center" rel="noopener" style="color: #FFFFFF; text-decoration: none; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none; background-color: #EA5F14; border-radius: 6px; text-transform: uppercase; border-color: #ea5f14; border-style: solid; border-width: 15px 18px;">MEDIA CENTER</a></h3>
<img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/04/2537294/line2_original.jpg" style="width: 540px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="" width="540" height="55" data-unique-identifier="">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="additional-info" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Additional Info" style="padding: 0px 30px 20px;">
<h1 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-weight: normal; color: #0982A0; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 18px; text-align: left;" align="left">Media Contact<a href="mailto:communications@commerce.wa.gov" target="_blank" title="Commerce Communications" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: none; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;"></a>
</h1>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" align="left"><a href="mailto:penny.thomas@commerce.wa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Commerce Communications</a>, (206) 256-6106| Mobile/text: (360) 704-9489</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="bottom-line-1" width="100%" align="center" style="line-height: 1px; padding-top: 20px;">
<img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2020/01/3080083/emailfooter-stripe_original.png" style="width: 600px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="" width="600" height="10" data-unique-identifier="">
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="footer-bg" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Footer Background" style="background-color: #9E9E9E; padding: 30px;" bgcolor="#9E9E9E">
<table class="main-table" width="100%" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td width="74%" class="tablecell" align="left" valign="top">
<table width="100%" align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td id="left-footer" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Left Footer">
<img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2020/01/3080109/logo-white-250x90_original.png" style="width: 173px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="" width="173" height="62" data-unique-identifier="">
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
<td width="26%" class="tablecell" align="right" valign="top">
<table width="100%" align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody><tr>
<td id="right-footer" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Right Footer" class="thin" style="padding: 0px 0px 10px;">
<p style="line-height: 1.1; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; color: #FFFFFF; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;" align="center">Stay connected</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="main-social" width="100%" align="center" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Main Social">
<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcHVibGljLmdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5LmNvbS9hY2NvdW50cy9XQURPQy9zdWJzY3JpYmVyL25ldyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.wdmm_7gcHhzUw3-qp-eh4VbBnH6aekgIeRN11ucT7I0/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Subscribe" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;"><img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/04/2537344/soc-01_original.png" style="width: 42px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="subscribe" width="42" height="32" data-unique-identifier=""></a><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vdHdpdHRlci5jb20vd2FzdGF0ZWNvbW1lcmNlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.9u2DXufrP_Kcq1P8-fNFWSK-niORuofTil6Y9JQuM6M/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Twitter" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;"><img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/04/2537345/soc-02_original.png" style="width: 42px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="twitter" width="42" height="32" data-unique-identifier=""></a><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS9XQVN0YXRlQ29tbWVyY2UvIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.EgqcO7wkMdBksAU8euPqjCazXjQttiZak06apXQ5rqU/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Facebook" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;"><img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/04/2537346/soc-03_original.png" style="width: 33px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="facebook" width="33" height="32" data-unique-identifier=""></a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td id="bottom-footer" width="100%" data-govdstyle="all" data-govdtitle="Bottom Footer" style="padding: 50px 30px;">
<h1 style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-weight: normal; color: #0982A0; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 20px; text-align: left;" align="left">About Commerce</h1>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" align="left">Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cuY29tbWVyY2Uud2EuZ292IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.aM0Qwr1ZMIUXOIz1AWChTWllWymxxn6-z_J7wGaNRWM/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="www.commerce.wa.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">http://www.commerce.wa.gov</a>. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9jaG9vc2V3YXNoaW5ndG9uc3RhdGUuY29tLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.sYIBcocp-i76yLe50cW0dRAbp3vov2dSAQSQXUfkh0Y/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="www.choosewashington.com" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">choosewashingtonstate.com</a>.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" align="left">Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcHVibGljLmdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5LmNvbS9hY2NvdW50cy9XQURPQy9zdWJzY3JpYmVyL25ldz9wcmVmZXJlbmNlcz10cnVlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.QZWqlqBfLBG7klLlQteugnz9mEp0YuQgXgHIWEorjEw/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Subscriber Preferences" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Subscriber Preferences Page</a>. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3Vic2NyaWJlcmhlbHAuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.x9Q3Cj3MDhwmGwK0fhIsd70Jdvjl5AbaYPzvE5mJYM0/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Subscription Help" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com</a>.</p>
<p style="line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" align="left">This service is provided to you at no charge by <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNvbW1lcmNlLndhLmdvdi8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxIn0.Fg6jnMVscO5QlPF8NCQySqbMBopG_nzMEu03F6TYZSU/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="www.commerce.wa.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Washington Department of Commerce</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.4; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #6E767D; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px;" align="left"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vcHVibGljLmdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5LmNvbS9hY2NvdW50cy9XQURPQy9zdWJzY3JpYmVyL25ldz9wb3A9dCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.R8oOP1j9-EgIC47gW9GQjTNRaIkLRd9NfLYoEpcGp-A/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Subscribe" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Subscribe</a> | <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly9wdWJsaWMuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tL2FjY291bnRzL1dBRE9DL3N1YnNjcmliZXJzL25ldz9wcmVmZXJlbmNlcz10cnVlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY4MDE2MSJ9.wYK1CG5KbuuhmOza5PL7ETWIOUONJX3TnByZY7e25HY/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Manage your subscription" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Manage Preferences</a> | <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJxdWVyeV9wYXJhbXMiOlsidmVyaWZpY2F0aW9uIiwiZGVzdGluYXRpb24iXSwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6MTIwLCJ1cmkiOiJicDI6Y2xpY2siLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3B1YmxpYy5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYWNjb3VudHMvV0FET0Mvc3Vic2NyaWJlci9vbmVfY2xpY2tfdW5zdWJzY3JpYmUiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxIn0.a0phCF6JEbXppmACtUXULlIpgqQkzsn4Hs6flztA3pg/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l?verification=5.7294a4df0c190acc2d517db53be77864&destination=tishgifts%40gmail.com" target="_blank" title="Unsubscribe from all Commerce updates" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Unsubscribe All</a> | <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3Vic2NyaWJlcmhlbHAuZ292ZGVsaXZlcnkuY29tLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.NGW-G_mLJoL6OL2g7YnWj2Y3T0Xb3CDINHtpm_gA7D8/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Get help with your subscription" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Help</a> | <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNvbW1lcmNlLndhLmdvdi9jb250YWN0LXVzLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.ya4eQfszATSc_QZINZNddoWae08pIrXgMH9IC2NpS8A/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" title="Contact us" rel="noopener" style="color: #EA5F14; text-decoration: underline; -ms-word-break: break-all; word-break: break-word; -webkit-hyphens: none; -moz-hyphens: none; hyphens: none;">Contact us</a></p>
<img class="govd_template_image" src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/WADOC/2019/04/2537294/line2_original.jpg" style="width: 540px; height: auto !important; max-height: auto !important; border: none;" alt="" width="540" height="55" data-unique-identifier="">
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div id="mail_footer">
</div>
<div id="tagline">
<table style="width: 350px; margin: 0 auto;" border="0" width="350" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="color: #757575; font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial; padding: 20px 5px 10px 5px;" align="center" width="100%">This email was sent to tishgifts@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Commerce · 1011 Plum Street SE, P.O. Box 42525 · Olympia, WA 98504-2525</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0 5px 20px 5px;" align="center" width="100%"><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3Vic2NyaWJlcmhlbHAuZ3JhbmljdXMuY29tLyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEifQ.Uw-oQv_AeI-IvRzlQEYO0J-U-VqUjIb7FGOwurwpcGg/s/3003082401/br/239912226133-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://content.govdelivery.com/images/govd-logo-dark.png" border="0" alt="GovDelivery logo" width="115" style="width: 115px; height: auto; border: none;" data-unique-identifier=""></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://links.govdelivery.com/track?enid=ZWFzPTEmYnVsbGV0aW5yZWNpcGllbnRpZD0yMzk5MTIyMjYxMzMtbCZzdWJzY3JpYmVyaWQ9MzAwMzA4MjQwMSZtc2lkPSZhdWlkPSZtYWlsaW5naWQ9MjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODAxNjEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjgwMTYxJmRhdGFiYXNlaWQ9MTAwMSZ0eXBlPW9wZW4mc2VyaWFsPTE2ODc3NjcyJmVtYWlsaWQ9dGlzaGdpZnRzQGdtYWlsLmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9dGlzaGdpZnRzQGdtYWlsLmNvbSZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9Jm12aWQ9JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==" />
</div></blockquote></body></html>