Economy

Washington state is home to some of the best-skilled workers and innovators in the world. We've led technological revolutions in aerospace and information technology. We grow and export some of the world's finest apples and wine. We're poised to become a leader in clean energy and life sciences and global philanthropy.

Gov. Inslee's top priority is to create an economic climate where innovation and entrepreneurship can continue to thrive and create good-paying jobs in every corner of our state - jobs that will provide opportunities for our children for decades to come.

Washington's key industries create the backbone for a strong economy. When these industries do well, so do our small businesses, service-sector employers and spin-off industries. Across the state, those industries are:

• Clean energy
• Agriculture
• Military
• Aerospace
• Life sciences
• Information and communication technology
• Maritime

Gov. Inslee's economic development priorities:

• Ensure our businesses have the world-class workforce they need.Gov. Inslee is working with industry leaders and educators to strengthen our preschool through 12th grade education system, improve workforce training programs and make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degree programs priorities at our colleges and universities.
• Streamline state government to better support private-sector business growth. Gov. Inslee will bring together all the state's trade and economic development activity into a new cabinet-level office. The Economic Competitiveness and Development Office will focus on recruiting, retaining and expanding businesses, work with businesses to reduce regulatory barriers and provide a single point-of-contact to help businesses with everything from site location to permitting.
• Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. There is enormous potential to create more jobs in Washington's innovative clean energy, life sciences and IT industries. Gov. Inslee is committed to more effectively leveraging the world-class research and development resources at our state universities and helping start-ups access R&D capital.
• Increase the speed of Washington commerce. Our businesses and their workers need to move products efficiently and reliably across our highways and railways, through our ports and in the air. Gov. Inslee is committed to addressing infrastructure improvements to provide long-term economic growth and a healthy quality of life.

Resources

• Governor Inslee's Principles for a 2013 Transportation Revenue Package (Apr. 2013)
• Educating a 21st century workforce (Jan. 2013)
• Improving the business climate and expanding our workforce (Jan. 2013)
• Advancing Washington's aerospace leadership (Jan. 2013)
• Clean energy, climate action and plentiful water (Jan. 2013)
• Health care reform: healthy people, healthy economy (Jan. 2013)
• Yakima River Basin: Water, Jobs and Fish (Jan. 2013)