Washington

Sectors it is courting

• Aerospace and Defense
• Agribusiness
• Cleantech/Clean Energy
• Food and Beverage
• Information and Communication Technology
• Marine Technology
• Travel and Tourism
• Distribution and Logistics
• Life Sciences
• Forest Products

Investment it is seeking from

• Canada
• Japan
• France
• United Kingdom
• Taiwan
• South Korea
• India
• Spain
• Norway
• Italy

Supply-chain projects it is looking for

Biotechnology, Critical Minerals and Materials, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Large Capacity Batteries, Medical Devices, Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Packaging

Site-selection services it offers

The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness assists prospective and inbound companies with new expansion projects in the state. In addition to providing high level overview information about doing business in Washington and the state’s ecosystem, the state helps companies at all stages of the site selection process including site evaluation, decision making, and the ramp up to operations.

Incentive programmes

• Grant

  Washington State offers grants to support strategic investments, including a discretionary fund for high-profile projects, Industrial Readiness Grants to prepare sites for industrial use, and Manufacturing Grants to grow industries like clean tech and aerospace. These programs help fund infrastructure, workforce training, site improvements, and R&D to drive innovation, create jobs, and support economic growth.

• Tax Credit

  Creating new, permanent, full-time, employment positions at qualifying facilities. Credit amounts towards Business & Occupation Tax: $2,000 tax credit for each qualified position created with annual wages/benefits of $40,000 or less or $4,000 tax credit for each qualified position created with annual wages/benefits of more than $40,000.

• Tax Exemption

  Sales tax exemptions on equipment used in the manufacturing or R&D processes. Sales tax deferral on the construction up to $400,000 in rural areas. Reduced rates or exemptions for select industries. Learn more about incentives applicable to different industries at [https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/tax-incentives/tax-incentive-programs.][https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/tax-incentives/tax-incentive-programs]

Shovel-ready sites

• The state of Washington encompasses several large, developed metropolitan areas, including the regions of Puget Sound (Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia), Spokane, and Vancouver. Top manufacturing cities in Washington: Seattle, Everett, Kent, Renton, Vancouver

  Site details

• Spokane Business & Industrial Park offers 615 acres, combined light and heavy industrial with most of the property being heavy, located in Spokane Valley between Interstate 90 and State Route 290. The Park is one of the largest in the country, with a total of 5,000,000 square feet and leasable spaces ranging from 1,200 to 120,000 square feet.

  Site details

• The Frederickson manufacturing / industrial center is one of the largest single industrial development sites in the Puget Sound area that is zoned for heavy manufacturing and has industrial capacity, utilities and infrastructure in place. The area covers more than 2,000 acres, more than half of which is undeveloped. The Frederickson manufacturing center is one of the principal industrial centers in Pierce County.

  Site details

Technology-sector sub-sectors sought

AgTech (including FoodTech), CleanTech, eCommerce & Retail Tech, HealthTech (including MedTech), ICT (including Software / Cybersecurity / AI)

Programmes for international technology startups

International Market Accelerators - In addition to supporting local startups, WTIA supports international companies that aspire to expand their operations to the U.S. The goal is to help position Washington as a global tech hub and expand the innovation community in our region. WTIA produced three international accelerator programs this year, including programs with the Korean Innovation Center, The Consulate General of Canada, British Columbia Trade & Invest, and the Korean Startup Center.

Programmes for international clean-energy projects

This year, Washington State invested $37 million in 46 clean energy projects across the state to further the goals of Washington’s 2021 Clean Energy Strategy. The grants were funded by the Washington Climate Commitment Act with additional funding to boost clean energy technology innovation and support clean energy planning, design and construction projects throughout the state. Investors are invited to explore the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) which supports the development, demonstration and deployment of clean energy technologies. Washington provides statutory incentives for companies growing or expanding in the state. These include a sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing operation and a sales and use tax deferral program for clean energy investment projects, which provides a deferral or reduction of up to 100% of sales and use taxes for eligible investments in clean technology projects, including manufacturing, clean alternative fuels production, and renewable energy storage. The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association (PNWH2) is creating a hydrogen network to develop and bring clean hydrogen solutions to the market that leverage the region’s renewable energy sources and help meet the nation’s clean energy goals. The hub is accelerating the deployment of hydrogen as a clean energy solution.

Incubators and accelerators

• Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator

  The Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator is an intensive mentor-based four-month program focused on helping maritime industry startups learn how to scale and grow. Startups receive access to Washington Maritime Blue industry and ocean leaders alongside a global network of mentors and advisors. This is a powerful opportunity for local companies to grow and secure funding in a sector where capital is often scarce.

• WTIA Start Up Program and Founder Cohort

  WTIA is committed to helping startups reach their full potential. Whether it’s HR benefits, introductions to investors, legal services, or something else, Washington is here to help you overcome any obstacles in your path. If you’re an entrepreneur or working at a startup, join their club to learn more about how WTIA can support your journey at every stage. WTIA Founder Cohort program helps 20-25 venture-scale, seed-stage startups grow and scale over the course of 6 months. The state and their partners will provide founders with a roadmap that will help guide them through their next milestones as founders navigate increasing revenue, securing investment, and growing the team.

• NW Innovation Resource Center

  The NW Innovation Resource Center (IRC) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and innovators in fields like Clean Tech, Agricultural Tech, and Blue Tech, fostering a diverse ecosystem of businesses that drive long-term economic growth. Through its Soft Landing Package, the IRC provides international businesses a cost-effective, low-barrier entry point to explore opportunities in Northwest Washington. This comprehensive package offers services such as office space, networking, matchmaking, advisory support, product development, and testing.

University and workforce programmes

• Impact Washington , Washington State MEP

  Washington State Centers of Excellence serve as statewide liaisons to business, industry, labor, and the state’s education systems for the purpose of building a highly skilled and readily available workforce. Each Center focuses on a specific key sector that drives the state's economy and is built upon a reputation for fast, flexible, quality education and training programs. There are a total of 11 centers, ranging from aerospace to advanced manufacturing. The Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy provides strategic coordination for the energy industry’s skilled workforce in Washington State and within the Pacific Northwest.

• University of Washington Clean Energy Testbeds

  The University of Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, an open-access facility in Seattle, offers customized training and use of instruments for fabricating prototypes, testing devices and modules, and integrating systems to accelerate the development, scale-up, and adoption of new technologies in solar harvesting, energy storage, and systems integration.

Additional services

Washington State Department of Commerce provides assistance with workforce development, tax incentives, and other needs businesses have during the expansion/relocation process. In addition to these services, Washington strives to simply be an informational and networking hub for doing business in Washington. The state often facilitates connections with regional economic development organizations, consulting firms, universities, industry associations, existing Washington companies, and other entities that may be beneficial to your enterprise.

In its own words

Washington State offers a highly attractive environment for foreign business investors, driven by its key industries, incentives, and forward-thinking policy goals. The state is a leader in aerospace, clean technology, life sciences, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and information and communication technology, with strong ecosystems supporting innovation and growth in these sectors. Investors benefit from strategic incentives, including tax credits, workforce training programs, and site-readiness grants that facilitate smooth business operations. Washington’s commitment to sustainability and decarbonization is reflected in policies like transitioning to a fully renewable utility grid, doubling the manufacturing workforce, and promoting clean energy solutions. The state actively supports foreign investment through its global economic engagement strategy, focusing on regions with shared values to attract investment and expand exports. Dedicated resources include overseas representation, export assistance for small and medium businesses, and matchmaking services to connect foreign investors with local partners. Washington’s dynamic economy, talented workforce, and collaborative business environment make it a prime destination for foreign investors.

Investor account, as submitted

Atlas Agro: “The Pacific Northwest attracted Atlas Agro due to its competitive landscape for renewables development, and the company is pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy that considers the significant number of existing and emerging renewable generation sources within the region,” the company said. SkyNRG: The legislation “positions Washington state as the most attractive, most supportive state for SAF,” he said. “It’s the most generous state in the nation now.” Enchandia: We are pleased to announce that we will establish a production facility in the State of Washington. The US market holds immense strategic importance for us, and this represents a pivotal step in our rapid expansion” says Fredrik Hellström, CEO of Echandia Marine AB. “We extend our sincere gratitude to the Washington State Governor’s office and Washington Department of Commerce for their invaluable assistance and guidance. We look forward to being part of the thriving Washington business community for many years to come” – Fredrik Hellström continues. ZeroAvia: “With the vast array of talented aerospace and electrical engineers, amidst a hub of aerospace industry peers also pushing towards sustainable flight, Everett is a hugely important location for us,” said Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder, ZeroAvia. “The support from Governor Inslee and the Washington Department of Commerce enables us to push forward quickly on our targets for commercial flight of up to 20-seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 80-seat aircraft by 2027. We are tremendously excited about the opportunities this opens up to grow our team and establish world class facilities at Paine Field.”

Submitted by the economic development organisation, not independently verified.

Regional partner organisations

• Greater Seattle Partnershttps://greater-seattle.com/en/connect/
• Greater Spokane Inc.info@greaterspokane.org
• Tacoma-Pierce EDBhttps://choosetacomapierce.org/about-us/staff/
• Economic Alliance Snohomish Countydanielt@economicalliancesc.org
• Port of Pascosmcfadden@portofpasco.org

Who to contact

• Radi SimenovaManaging Directorradi.simeonova@commerce.wa.gov(206) 265-2921

2001 6th Avenue, Suite 2600, Seattle, WA 98121