what ’ s working
Team in Place to Double Manufacturing
New group meets with an important goal : doubling Washington ’ s manufacturing jobs and diversity in 10 years .
Brian Mittge
Washington ’ s newly created Manufacturing Council gathered for the first time this summer . With representation from business , organized labor , educators and more , its wide-ranging perspectives all share the goal of expanding Washington ’ s crucial manufacturing sector .
At A Glance
AWB was a major supporter of the 2021 Building
Economic Strength Through Manufacturing ( BEST )
Act , which aims to double manufacturing jobs and diversity of ownership over the next 10 years .
The Washington Department of Commerce , in consultation with
AWB , created a 20-member
Manufacturing Council to implement the Manufacturing BEST Act . AWB members have nine seats on the council .
At its first meeting in June , members spoke about the need to develop a skilled manufacturing workforce pipeline . They also said child care is an important part of supporting families and manufacturers . Permitting and regulatory reform also will help the sector survive and thrive .
First meeting of the Washington State Manufacturing Council : www . tvw . org / video / washington-statemanufacturing-council-2022061212 /
Workforce development . Child care . Permitting reform .
Some common themes kept coming up when a unique group of employers , labor unions , educators and government leaders gathered in June for the first meeting of the new Washington State Manufacturing Council .
This is the group created in response to a 2021 law , passed unanimously through the Legislature , that aims to add 300,000 new manufacturing jobs to Washington over the next 10 years .
The Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing ( BEST ) Act also sets a goal of doubling the overall number of small manufacturing firms as well as the number of manufacturing firms owned by women and minorities .
“ Today the state ’ s best and brightest are coming together on a very aggressive goal , but one that I know we will achieve ,” said Rep . Matt Boehnke , R-Kennewick , the prime sponsor of the Manufacturing BEST Act .
Nine of the 20 groups represented on the council are part of AWB , representing manufacturing industries from biotech , aerospace and automotive to timber processing , distilling , carbon fiber and more .
After Gov . Jay Inslee opened the meeting , Lisa Brown , director of the Washington Department of Commerce , listed some of Washington ’ s competitive advantages in the manufacturing space : low energy prices , an educated workforce , great quality of life and clean energy .
22 association of washington business