washington business
Of Note
Wells Fargo Donates PPP Processing Fees to Support Small Businesses
Wells Fargo announced in July that it was donating approximately $400 million in processing fees from Paycheck Protection
Program loans back to nonprofits serving the small business community. The bank is not keeping any portion of the fees from
the PPP transactions and will instead donate the funds to help small businesses keep their doors open and retain employees.
“As we continue to navigate these
unprecedented times, Wells Fargo is
committed to helping as many small
businesses as possible navigate economic
challenges,” said Harlan E. Levy, a Wells
Fargo senior vice president based in
Portland. “Our participation in PPP
has already helped thousands of small
businesses — 84% of which had fewer than
10 employees. Donating our PPP processing
fees is another way Wells Fargo can create
relief and long-term impact in the small
business community.”
USMCA Goes into Effect, Boosting U.S. Exports
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement went into full effect on July 1.
This updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement contains
significant improvements and modernized approaches to rules of origin,
agricultural market access, intellectual property, digital trade, financial
services, labor, and many other sectors.
The USMCA is particularly relevant to Washington, with its key trade ties
to both our next-door neighbor to the north and to Mexico, which is a major
purchaser of Washington fruit and other products.
Washington state exported $9.3 billion in products to Canada in 2018 and
$2.2 billion to Mexico, helping create more than 330,000 jobs statewide.
That total of $11.5 billion includes transportation equipment ($2.9 billion),
computer and electronic products ($948 million), agricultural products
($753 million) and processed food ($650 million).
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., a key supporter of the USMCA, said the trade pact will boost Washington’s
exports of apples, wheat, dairy, digital products and more.
Landau Associates Announces New CEO
Landau Associates, Inc., a regional
environmental, geotechnical, permitting
and compliance services consulting firm,
announced in May that Chip Halbert would
take over as CEO following the retirement of
president and CEO Jay Bower. Halbert was
the firm’s chief operating officer.
Bower, who has served on AWB’s board of directors for the
past seven years, served as CEO for seven years and was with the
firm for 22 years.
“I’ve been fortunate to work side-by-side with Jay for the
past 22 years,” Halbert said. “He’s a talented business leader
and I owe him a debt of gratitude — as does our entire
company — for helping create an environment of personal
and professional growth.”
Established in 1982, Landau Associates is an employeeowned
consulting firm with offices in Edmonds, Seattle,
Tacoma, Olympia, Quincy, Spokane, and Portland.
14 association of washington business