Washington State Department of Commerce

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Wikipedia

Washington State Department of Commerce
Agency overview
HeadquartersOlympia, Washington
Employees735 (2024)[1]
Annual budget$10.5 billion (2025-26)[1]
Agency executive
  • Joe Nguyen, Director
WebsiteCommerce.wa.gov

The Washington State Department of Commerce is a state agency in Washington. Based in the state's capitol, Olympia, Washington, the agency is responsible for community and economic development. The agency manages several boards and commissions with a focus on businesses, local governments, tribes, and community-based organizations.[2][3][4]

As of 2024, the agency had approx. 735 employees and a $10.5 billion budget for the 2025-2026 biennium.[1] The department also offers small business and startup support through programs such as the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN), which provides low-cost loans and training to businesses, and the Startup 365 Small Business Training & Education Center, a statewide resource offering courses, startup guides, and assistance in sourcing capital.[5][6]

History

Mike Fong, the former deputy mayor of Seattle and a regional director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was appointed as head of the department in April 2023.[7]

In December 2024, Governor-elect Bob Ferguson appointed State Senator Joe Nguyen to succeed Mike Fong as the agency's director.[8]

In June 2025, the agency underwent organizational restructing, terminating 24 employees, dissolving its equity team and extending a pause on hiring due to budget shortfalls.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 McCarthy, Pat (August 11, 2025). "Accountability Audit Report; Washington State Department of Commerce; For the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Report No. 1037901)". Washington State Auditor. p. 17. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  2. ↑ "The Washington State Department of Commerce - Learn About Us". Washington State Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  3. ↑ "About Commerce's Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness". Washington State - Building Business Legends. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Washington State Department of Commerce – CleanTech Alliance". Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ https://www.commerce.wa.gov/sbrn/
  6. ↑ https://www.commerce.wa.gov/small-business-services/
  7. ↑ Cornfield, Jerry (April 12, 2023). "Former Snohomish County official to lead WA Department of Commerce". The Everett Herald. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ Cornfield, Jerry. "Ferguson taps Seattle state senator to lead WA Department of Commerce". Washington State Standard. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  9. ↑ Carter, Simone (June 11, 2025). "Washington Department of Commerce dissolves standalone equity team". The Olympian. Retrieved August 12, 2025.