The Washington State Department of Commerce (DOC) is accepting applications for Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants, and the EDB is here to help businesses through the process. The deadline to apply is Dec. 21.

A total of $2 million will be awarded to eligible manufacturing and research and development businesses, as well as innovation cluster organizations. Each recipient will be eligible for a grant between $200,000 and $400,000.

Application and submission criteria

Here are important details about the grant application and evaluation process:

• • Eligible businesses. The DOC will only accept business applications via an Associate Development Organization (ADO), such as the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. Pierce County business applicants are encouraged to work with the EDB for support through the application process.
    • For application help, contact Maddie Merton, EDB Vice President for Retention and Expansion, at [email protected]
    • To submit your application, contact Sarah Bonds, EDB Vice President for Business Recruitment at [email protected]
  • Eligible clusters are defined as an existing innovation cluster under the DOC’s Innovation Cluster Accelerator or an entity that is proposing a new cluster-related program or project. Clusters may submit applications directly to the DOC without ADO assistance or endorsement.
  • Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the availability of capital investment or matching funds to support a significant business expansion or proposed cutting-edge development work.
  • Submissions will be evaluated according to their ability to generate manufacturing and R&D jobs as well as their strategic alignment with the state’s key sectors: aerospace, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and renewable energy, creative economy, forest products, information and communications technology, life science, maritime and defense.
  • Grant applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to generate significant direct employment, their potential to spur technological advances and/or support workforce development as well as recent state support.

The Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants Program is designed to increase the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in the state. The grants support the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act that was passed by the state legislature in 2021 to provide a framework for adding 300,000 new manufacturing jobs over the next decade.

For more information about the 2023-25 Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants, including eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria and additional application guidelines, click here.