washington business
Of Note
Amazon Dedicates $ 2 Billion to Support Affordable Housing
Amazon has created a new Housing Equity Fund to preserve existing housing and create new developments through belowmarket loans and grants to housing partners , public agencies and minority-led organizations , the company reports .
The fund will benefit moderate- to low-income families in the Puget Sound ; Arlington , Virginia ; and Nashville , Tenn ., areas .
“ Amazon has a long-standing commitment to helping people in need , including the Mary ’ s Place family shelter we built inside our Puget Sound headquarters . The shelter now supports over 200 women and children experiencing homelessness every night ,” said Jeff Bezos , Amazon founder and CEO . “ This new $ 2 billion Housing Equity Fund will create or preserve 20,000 affordable homes in all three of our headquarters regions — Arlington , Puget Sound , and Nashville . It will also help local families achieve long-term stability while building strong , inclusive communities .”
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Develops New Product to Ensure Covid-19 Vaccine Stays Cold and Safe
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories has created a product to ensure that the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine stays cold and safe for use , the company reports . The highly effective Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-low temperatures .
The SEL-2411TM Temperature Monitor Digital Data Logger was created within days after a request from an Idaho medical center .
“ We are thrilled to be able to help hospitals and other vaccine distribution centers in our community and to be able to provide this great solution to others around the world !” SEL President and Chief Technology Officer Ed Schweitzer said .
Washington Employers Work to Distribute Vaccine , End Pandemic
Washington employers will help end the Covid-19 pandemic through their work to help distribute vaccine .
Microsoft is helping state officials with data visualization tools , as well as hosting vaccine clinics on their Redmond campus . Amazon has hosted vaccine clinics , and Starbucks , Costco and Kaiser Permanente have helped state officials with logistics .
Notably , Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories has hosted vaccine clinics in both Pullman and its Lewiston , Idaho facilities . Nearly 4,000 people had been vaccinated by Feb . 10 , KLEW-TV reports .
“ If you ’ re eligible , we ’ ll do our best to get you into one of our vaccine clinics ,” Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory Vice- President of Security Frank Harrill told the station .
Harrill also connected with AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson in the Feb . 21 edition of “ Capitol Focus .”
Learn more at www . awb-tv . org .
Boeing Makes Strides on Carbon Emissions
The Boeing Co . has reached a significant goal – net-zero carbon emissions at their manufacturing and worksites .
The company accomplished this by expanding conservation , and renewable energy use , and by using responsible offsets for the remaining greenhouse gases .
“ Accomplishing net-zero carbon emissions in our operations is a significant step toward making the world better for all the communities we serve ,” said Chris Raymond , Boeing chief sustainability officer . “ Boeing wants to be a positive example and partner in our industry and with other major industrial companies .”
Company officials also stressed that “ energy not wasted remains the least expensive and cleanest power .”
This means turning off equipment , from computer monitors to paintcuring ovens and compressed air used for power tools .
Renewable energy plays a big part in this effort too . Company officials say Boeing procures enough renewable electricity — solar , wind and hydropower — to power Boeing ’ s factories in Renton and Charleston , S . C , and a large data center in Arizona , as well as meet 97 % of the electricity needs for Boeing ’ s Everett factory — the largest building in the world by floor area . spring 2021 7