CEO Guide to Site Selection

Washington

EVER GROWING IN THE EVERGREEN STATE

By some measures, Washington State had one of the strongest economies in the nation in Q3 2023. Wallethub.com ranked the state number one it is Best and Worst Economies report based on 28 key economic indicators. It ranks first in exports per capital, second in percent of jobs in tech and in the top ten in annual median income and change in nonfarm payroll. Washington State also ranks highly in economic activity and innovation potential. The aerospace industry remains a primary driver the state with companies like BlueOrigin and Boeing supporting more than 13,000 jobs. In October 2023, American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center in Spokane was designated one of the 31 inaugural tech hubs under the Tech Hubs Program.

“Washington is a proud leader in aerospace and aviation. Our future in this realm will be built on the innovation, sustainability, clean transportation and new ideas that continue to transform our world.... Washington businesses are exploring sustainable aviation fuels; electric, hydrogen and hybrid propulsion; advanced materials; satellites to deliver broadband, and next-generation engines and thrusters.”
Jay Inslee
Governor

TAXES

No corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

No

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

CERB: The Community Empowerment Revitalization Board provides low-cost financing for public facility improvements, such as access road maintenance and sewer and water line extensions, to foster private development.

Job Skills Program: Offers a competitive grant for an average of $1,200 per trainee to help employers partner with community and technical colleges on training solutions.

Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Equipment: Offers a sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used directly in a manufacturing or R&D operation for savings that amounts to 6.5% plus the local rate.

B&O Tax Credit: Offers a one-time credit of up to $4,000 per employee when companies hire new manufacturing or R&D employees in rural counties.

Sales and Use Tax Deferral for Clean Tech Projects: Offers a deferral and possible reduction of up to 100% of sales and use taxes for eligible investments in clean technology projects and renewable energy storage, as well as production facilities for clean fuel and hydrogen.

EDCs

Washington State Department of Commerce

choosewashingtonstate.com/about-us

Seattle Office of Economic Development

seattle.ecdev.org

Thurston Economic Development Council

thurstonedc.com

Advantage Spokane

advantagespokane.com

Make it Tacoma

makeittacoma.com

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Equitable Access to Credit Program was created in August 2023 by the state legislature and creates a new funding mechanism to help Community Development Financial Institutions offer technical assistance services, small business training and loans and investments to borrowers who may not be eligible for traditional bank loans. The program will award up to $8 million annually, and any business with state B&O tax liabilities can now contribute and receive a $1 for $1 tax credit through the Department of Revenue.

BIG DEALS

  • No Meat Factory, a Canadian manufacturer of plant-based meat alternative products, announced in March 2023 it will launch operations in Stanwood.
  • Dutch company SkyNRG announced in May 2023 it will locate a new $800 million sustainable aviation fuel plant in the state.
  • ZeroAvia announced in June 2023 an expansion of its electric propulsion R&D facility at Paine Field.
  • Solar panel manufacturer Silfab announced it will double its manufacturing capacity and create 400 jobs at its Burlington facility.

BIG COMPANIES

9 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:

  • Costco Wholesale
  • Expedia Group
    Expeditors Intl. of Washington
  • Microsoft
  • Nordstrom
  • Paccar
  • Starbucks
  • Weyerhaeuser
  • Willow Group
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.