September 5, 2012
The Economic Development Board welcomed Alex Pietsch, Director of the Governor's Aerospace Office for a presentation on the Washington Aerospace Partnership and the results of the Farnborough Air Show.
The Washington Aerospace Partnership puts the state in a better position to compete for several upcoming industry opportunities, including recruiting companies that will be part of the Boeing 737 MAX supply chain, the 777X, and expansion of other aerospace subsectors. The Partnership is a non-profit organization comprised of business, labor, and government across the state who are working together to build on recent aerospace successes by implementing legislative directives to improve the future aerospace workforce in the state. Washington's success at the Farnborough Air Show highlighted the state's competitiveness globally and re-emphasized the importance of workforce training to keep its edge. Next steps include helping Washington suppliers connect with Airbus and other manufacturers, recruiting national and international suppliers to locate here, positioning Washington to secure the 777X final assembly and component work when it emerges, and exploring additional efforts to grow and train aerospace workforce to meet needs of today and future years. Watch the discussion or view the presentation online at psrc.org.
For more information, contact Alex Pietsch at 360-742-4379 or alex.pietsch@gov.wa.gov.
The Economic Development Board discussed how to move forward with the Performance First Program as part of the new Regional Economic Strategy.
Evaluation of the Performance First program is on the Prosperity Partnership's 2012 list of Action Items. The original program was designed to provide participating companies with a set of tools and resources to improve their procurement and purchasing systems with regard to women- and minority-owned businesses. Each of the participating companies made progress on their supplier diversity programs through their involvement with the program. Rather than continue the program in a class room style format, the materials from the original program will be adapted to allow multiple organizations to use independently. The materials will be promoted on the Prosperity Partnership Website and will be made available to organizations that support women- and minority-owned businesses. Prosperity Partnership will continue to work in support of women- and minority-owned businesses as part of the Regional Economic Strategy work plan as part of Foundation #2: Business Climate.
For more information, please contact Jason Thibedeau at 206-389-2879 or jthibedeau@psrc.org.
The Economic Development Board welcomed Nicole Faghin, Coastal Management Specialist for Washington Sea Grant, for a presentation on the National Working Waterfront Network and the National Working Waterfront Symposium.
The National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) is a nationwide network with a mission to increase the capacity of coastal communities and stakeholders to make informed decisions, balance diverse uses, ensure access, and plan for the future of their working waterfronts and waterways. In March 2013, Washington Sea Grant, will co-host the third national symposium in Tacoma on issues faced by working waterfronts throughout the United States. This is the first symposium held on the west coast. As the Prosperity Partnership works to support our maritime and trade industries the future of our waterfront and waterways is key. View the presentation.
For more information, please contact Chris Endresen Scott at 206-971-3269 or cendresenscott@psrc.org.
Kitsap County Industry Cluster Tour - Friday, September 21st
The Prosperity Partnership is leading a Kitsap County Industry Cluster tour on Friday, September 21st. The tour will highlight the manufacturing, technology, recreation, cultural tourism and tribal assets of Kitsap County. The tour includes transportation for the day and Port Madison Enterprises will be sponsoring the Signature Salmon lunch at Kiana Lodge for attendees. Click here for more information and to register.
For more information, please contact Jason Thibedeau at 206-389-2879 or jthibedeau@psrc.org.
Registration for the Prosperity Partnership Lunch featuring Norm Dicks on November 5, 2012 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle is now open.
