Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire gave two economic development awards to Southwest Washington groups Thursday morning. The awards recognize leadership and exemplary accomplishment in a program, project or initiative in economic development.
One award went to the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, Columbia River Economic Development Council and Cowlitz Economic Development Council, which restructured to share staff.
The groups work together to provide avenues for youth and adults to prepare for careers and become more self-sufficient while providing Southwest Washington industries with a skilled workforce. The SWWDC and the CREDC have shared an office in Vancouver since November 2006.
"When someone goes out to see a business they can talk about all the things that can help a company grow in our region," said Lisa Nisenfeld, executive director of SWWDC. "Sometimes it's about job skills, training and hiring and sometimes it's about capital. We're able to provide a full range of solutions."
Also awarded for was Longview's Mint Farm Industrial Park, a joint venture of the Longview City Council and Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Co. The two groups entered into the partnership to finance and develop the 300-acre industrial park, which has attracted new businesses to Longview, provided more than 600 family-wage jobs and increased tax revenues.
The awards were announced at the Governor's Economic and Workforce Development Conference, organized by the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development's Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. The board is a partnership of labor, business and government, dedicated to helping Washington state residents obtain and succeed in family-wage jobs, while meeting employers' needs for skilled workers.
