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Commerce would craft statewide economic development plan under bill proponents call long overdue
Summary
SB 6,289 would require the Department of Commerce to prepare a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by Sept. 1, 2026, with bipartisan and stakeholder support, though witnesses urged more funding and time for outreach.
The committee heard SB 6,289, which would direct the Department of Commerce to develop and maintain a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan. Staff told the committee the plan must be completed by Sept. 1, 2026 and updated every two years; the language resembles an existing budget proviso that allocates $150,000 toward similar work.
Andrea Chartock, assistant director at the Department of Commerce leading the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, told the committee Commerce has begun outreach and stocktaking but noted the governor's proposed budget does not include full funding for the work as written and that OFM indicated limited resources. Several economic-development stakeholders, including port, regional and economic development associations, supported the concept but urged clarity on funding and broader community outreach.
Eric Fitch of the Washington Public Ports Association and Suzanne Dale Etsie of the Washington Economic Development Association both urged the committee to support the bill but to ensure Commerce has adequate resources and time for collaborative planning. Committee members requested templates and work plans to make outreach more prescriptive in subsequent drafts.
Public testimony closed without a committee vote; sponsors and Commerce said they would supply additional materials on work-plan templates and stakeholder outreach plans.
