The department shall contract with county-designated associate development organizations to increase the support for and coordination of community and economic development services in communities or regional areas. The organizations contracted with in each community or regional area shall be broadly representative of community and economic interests. The organization shall be capable of identifying key economic and community development problems, developing appropriate solutions, and mobilizing broad support for recommended initiatives. The contracting organization shall work with and include local governments, local chambers of commerce, workforce development councils, port districts, labor groups, institutions of higher education, community action programs, and other appropriate private, public, or nonprofit community and economic development groups. The scope of services delivered under these contracts shall include two broad areas of work:

     (1) Direct assistance, including business planning, to companies who need support to stay in business, expand, or relocate to Washington from out of state or other countries. Assistance includes:

     (a) Working with the appropriate partners, including but not limited to, local governments, workforce development organizations, port districts, community colleges and higher education institutions, export assistance providers, the Washington manufacturing services, the Washington state quality award, council, small business assistance programs, and other federal, state, and local programs to facilitate the alignment of planning efforts and the seamless delivery of business support services in the county;

     (b) Providing information on state and local permitting processes, tax issues, and other essential information for operating, expanding, or locating a business in Washington;

     (c) Marketing Washington and local areas as excellent locations to expand or relocate a business and positioning Washington as a globally competitive place to grow business, which may include developing and executing regional plans to attract companies from out of state;

     (d) Working with businesses on site location and selection assistance;

     (e) Providing business retention and expansion services, including business outreach and monitoring efforts to identify and address challenges and opportunities faced by businesses; and

     (f) Participate [Participating] in economic development system-wide discussions regarding gaps in business start-up assistance in Washington; and

     (2) Support for regional economic research and regional planning efforts to implement target industry strategies and other economic development strategies that support increased living standards and increase foreign direct investment throughout Washington. Activities include:

     (a) Participation in regional planning efforts involving combined strategies around workforce development and economic development policies and programs. The contracting organization shall participate with the state board for community and technical colleges as created in RCW 28B.50.050, and any community and technical colleges in providing for the coordination of job skills training within its region;

     (b) Collecting and reporting data as specified by the contract with the department for statewide systemic analysis. The department shall consult with the Washington state economic development commission in the establishment of such uniform data as is needed to conduct a statewide systemic analysis of the state's economic development programs and expenditures. In cooperation with other local, regional, and state planning efforts, contracting organizations may provide insight into the needs of target industry clusters, business expansion plans, early detection of potential relocations or layoffs, training needs, and other appropriate economic information;

     (c) In conjunction with other governmental jurisdictions and institutions, participate in the development of a countywide economic development plan, consistent with the state comprehensive plan for economic development developed by the Washington state economic development commission.

[2007 c 249 § 2; 1997 c 60 § 1; 1993 c 280 § 11.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2007 c 249: "The legislature finds that economic development success requires coordinated state and local efforts. The legislature further finds that economic development happens at the local level. County-designated associate development organizations serve as a networking tool and resource hub for business retention, expansion, and relocation in Washington. Economic development success requires an adequately funded and coordinated state effort and an adequately funded and coordinated local effort. The legislature intends to bolster the partnership between state and local economic development efforts, provide increased funding for local economic development services, and increase local economic development service effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes." [2007 c 249 § 1.]