• Why Choose Washington for your Investments

    Washington is known around the world for improving the way people live and work. Our companies are inspired by the Northwest culture of creativity and discovery.
    Washington is home to a Vibrant Economy, Optimal Location, Educated Workforce, favorable Business Environment, and unparalleled Quality of life. That's what continuously earns top ranks for Washington. In 2010, Forbes.com named Washington the 5th best State for Business. And in 2009, U.S. News & World Report recognized us as the No. 1 State to start a Business.
    Whether you are an established business looking to expand or move, or an entrepreneurial company just getting started, Washington state is the place for you.
  • Educated Work Force
    With two research universities, a large number of public and private four-year institutions, strong and active workforce programs and 34 community and technical colleges, Washington companies enjoy access to a highly educated workforce.
    • Washington attracts a talented, educated, skilled and creative workforce that is valuable to businesses.
    • Washington ranks 12th among all states for adults (25 and older) with a bachelors degree or more according to the United States Census Bureau .
    • More than 89% of Washington adults have at least 12 years of education, which is well above the national average of 85.0% according to the U.S. Census Bureau .
    • Washington has more than 6,500 aerospace engineers, the 2nd highest concentration in the U.S.; and is ranked third in the U.S. for tech-sector job growth, leading the country in software publisher employment. Governor Gregoire established the Washington Council on Aerospace in 2009 to coordinate Washington's aerospace worker training programs.
    • In 2011, Forbes.com ranked Washington the 7th best state for business. We ranked 5th for growth prospects and 6th for the labor supply category - which reflects the quality of Washington schools and training programs, as well as the fact that Washington is a desirable place to live and work.
    Workforce Training Programs
    Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board - committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will sustain Washington's economic vitality.
    Customized Training Program - links local business and industry to customized training at community, technical or private colleges.
    Centers of Excellence - each center focuses on a targeted industry that drives the state's economy and leads collaborative and coordinated statewide education and training efforts.
    Job Skills Program - provides matching funds for job training through community colleges.
    WorkSource Centers - provide one-stop hiring and training assistance to businesses and job-seekers.
  • Favorable Business Environment
    In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named Washington the No. 1 state to start a business. Washington partners with business and provides the services necessary to support and grow our industries, including tax and industry incentives, relocation services and small business help.
    • The total number of registered businesses in Washington has more than doubled in the last 15 years.
    • Washington's energy costs are lower than the national average. We have the highest hydroelectrical power industry in the nation, and we are the 5th largest producer of wind power according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
    • Washington's lack of income tax helped earn the state the rank of 11th in the 2011 State Business Tax Climate Index by the Tax Foundation in Washington D.C.
    •  Washington companies can take advantage of industry-specific incentives, such as:
    1.Reduced Business & Occupation tax rate for aerospace businesses.
    2.Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver for biotechnology & medical device manufacturing.
    3.Business & Occupation credit for high technology R&D spending.
    4.Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver in the high technology sector.
    • Since 1982, the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board(CERB) has committed more than $144 million to counties across the state, an investment generating nearly 36,000 jobs.
    • The newly named Washington State Department of Commerce has a renewed focus on partnering with businesses.
  • Vibrant Economy
    Washington has a diverse economy that positions us well for ongoing economic growth. Our industries range from clean technology, global health, tourism and aerospace to technology, forestry, agriculture, and marine technology. Our established industry clusters, global trade network, skilled workforce, R&D investments, innovative start-ups and anchor companies create a climate for business success.
    • Washington's economy is innovation-based, including our world-class research institutions and entrepreneurial spirit.
    1. Some of the largest, most successful technology companies established R&D centers in Washington - including Intel, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, Adobe and Google.
    2. Washington is home to cutting-edge research laboratories, such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and two world-class research universities, University of Washington and Washington State University.
    • Washington ranks 2nd in the 2010 State New Economy Index by the Kauffman Foundation and Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. Report shows state competitiveness in the global, entrepreneurial, innovation- and knowledge-based New Economy.
    • Washington's high-tech industry added jobs for the fourth year in a row, according to the annual Cyberstates report by Tech America. The state's high-tech industry added 9,300 jobs in 2008, ranking third nationally in tech-sector growth. Washington leads the country in software publisher employment.
    • Thousands of small businesses make up the Washington state tourism industry. In 2010, visitors spent a record $15.2 billion in the state, generating nearly $1 billion in state and local taxes. Travel spending supported 143,800 jobs in Washington in 2010.
  • Agriculture & Food Processing
    Washington state's food producers have a worldwide reputation for supplying a diverse range of high quality food and agriculture products. One of Washington's top advantages is its reliable production of high quality crops, cost-effective energy practices, and ability to quickly and efficiently ship products to the rapidly growing Asian marketplace.
    • Key agricultural products from Washington include apples, dairy products, potatoes, wheat, fish and shellfish, and wine.
    • Washington ranks second among all states in production of speciality crops, with some 300 crops produced commercially.
    • Washington ranks first in U.S. production of apples, sweet cherries, pears, red raspberries, and hops.
    • Washington leads the U.S. in potatoes grown for processing, and is a leader in the production of apple, grape, and berry juices.
    • The newly named Washington State Department of Commerce has a renewed focus on partnering with businesses.
    • Washington ranks second in production of wine in the U.S., with more than 600 wineries.
    • Top export destinations for Washington wine in 2011 were: Canada, Japan, Germany, China, and Belgium.
  • Information & Communication Technology
    Washington state is home to a vibrant and diversified information and communication technology sector, with the Seattle metro area considered the global center of software. From household names such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Real Networks, to emerging companies in the transformative areas of cloud computing virtualization and energy efficiency, Washington is one of the world's leading innovation hubs.
    • The state is also a global center for game development and publishing, both for casual and core gaming. Major corporations from out-of-state, as well as from overseas, are attracted to Washington's highly skilled workforce in engineering, technical sales and support, and business development.
    • Key high tech sectors include software publishing, interactive media, telecommunications and mobility, online services, and e-commerce, network systems and solutions, energy efficiency software, and health IT.
    1.The Seattle area was ranked the 2nd most influential high-tech center in the US by the Milken Institute in 2007.Washington is one of the largest employers of software publishing workers in the US.
    2.Video games are nearly a $10 billion dollar industry nationwide with more than a third of total revenue generated by companies in the Greater Seattle area.
    3.Washington is a global center for game design and development, with more than 150 companies or divisions - the biggest concentration in the US.
    4.Washington is home to Microsoft the world’s largest software publisher, and Amazon.com, a global innovator in e-commerce.
    5.Employment in the software and computer-related sector of Washington state is 15% higher than the national average.
    6.Washington is a leader in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, home to Impinj and Intermec.
    7.Quincy was rated the Best in the West , based on costs for labor, power, land, construction, and taxes for o perating a low cost technology manufacturing center. This area is already home to major data centers for Microsoft , Yahoo , Intuit , T-Mobile (Sabey), VMware (Sabey), and Ask.com .
    8.In 2009, technology-based industries employed 381,546 people in Washington, or 13.2% of total covered employment. See the full report by the Technology Alliance.
    9.Washington is widely recognized as the birthplace of the wireless sector. With a confluence of carrier DNA, software expertise and internet business experience, only London offers a more dense contribution.
    10.Washington is emerging as a world leader in cloud computing and virtualization through the presence of Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Parallels, Skytap and Symform.
  • Manufacturing
    Washington state's economy developed around the fishing and logging industries during the 19th century, but eventually grew into a manufacturing powerhouse over the next few decades. Due to a large pool of skilled workers and innovative companies, Washington has become a leader in a wide range of manufacturing sectors, most notably aerospace, but also forest products, industrial machinery, medical devices and food processing equipment.
    • Nearly 7.5% of the state's workforce was employed in manufacturing in 2010.
    • Between 2004 and 2009, Seattle gained over 12,000 manufacturing jobs, the 2nd highest gain for any U.S. city.
    • Manufactured goods made up 78% of Washington state's exports in 2008.
  • Global Health/Life Sciences
    Washington state is a global leader in the advancement of medicine and science. The University of Washington is the largest public university recipient of federal research dollars. The life sciences sector in Washington includes strength in medical devices, cancer research, therapeutics and infectious diseases.
    • Washington is also home to some of the world leader non-profit organizations and research institutes including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , PATH , Seattle BioMed and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center .
    • There are 175 biopharma companies, 205 medical device companies, and over 25,000 direct life sciences jobs in Washington State.
    • More than 190 non-profit organizations promoted global health through service delivery, research, training, education and public awareness, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - the world's largest foundation.
    • The Life Sciences Discovery Fund provides substantial annual grants to Washington state life sciences projects, with a $350 million commitment over a ten-year period. The fund was created by Governor Gregoire and the Washington state legislature in 2005.
    • The University of Washington receives approximately $1 billion in externally funded research each year and is second nationally in National Institutes of Health research funding.
  • Optimal Location
    Washington state has a superior global trade network that keeps Washington companies and products connected to the world. Led by aerospace , Washington is the 5th largest exporter in the U.S. Our infrastructure allows companies to easily export and import cargo to and from all over the world.
    • Washington is also home to high quality of life , energy costs lower than the national average, and cutting-edge research laboratories .
    • Washington is equidistant from Asia and Europe. Our trade infrastructure makes us a leading gateway to global markets. In 2010, Washington exported $46.6 billion in goods.
    • Washington is well connected to the world with 75 public ports, 139 regional airports, 7,044 miles of highways and 3,666 miles of railways.
    • Washington's energy costs are lower than the national average. Our natural resources - including wind, solar energy, waves and tides - provide abundant sources for renewable energy production. We have the highest hydroelectric power industry in the nation.
    • Washington makes huge investments in R&D - both public and private - through corporate companies like Boeing and Microsoft, and through our universities, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and organizations like the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and PATH.
    • Washington is known for its entertainment and art scene, close proximity to mountains and water, and internationally acclaimed restaurants and wineries - all of which attract a talented, highly educated workforce.
  • Quality of Life
    Washington state is a place employees want to live, work and build a family. Our quality of life attracts a creative, talented and skilled workforce. This educated workforce means locating in Washington will contribute to your bottom line today and your future growth.
    •  Washington state is recognized for our desirable quality of life. We're known for our :
    1.Clean air
    2.Urban life
    3.Music and culture
    4.Parks, schools and neighborhoods
    5.Close proximity to mountains and water
    6.Healthy lifestyle
    • Washington was named the 11th healthiest in the country by America's Health Rankings Report .
    • Washington was named 11th for volunteering in the U.S., with Seattle ranking 4th among large cities, in a study from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
    • Washington is known for being one of the best places to live and raise a family.Two Washington communities were named Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live rankings of small towns.
    • Visitors and residents enjoy Washington's rugged coastlines, tranquil islands, snow-capped peaks, treasures, quaint towns and acclaimed hot spots.In 2010, there were an estimated 5.7 million domestic air passenger visitor arrivals to Washington state.
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