2007 Report to Citizens: Economic Security
Keeping Washington’s economy strong in the face of national economic challenges is important for our future. Government can’t do it alone — we work with private sector partners to improve our state’s business climate and support business success.
Listening to citizens
- Job growth is a top indicator of the state’s economic progress. New jobs must pay a good living wage.
- The survival of new businesses is crucial. Keeping established businesses thriving must be a priority.
Taking action
- Opened two new small business centers to connect more new businesses with services that help them thrive. Improved the state’s one-stop business web site, www.business.wa.gov, which helps guide businesses through licensing and other procedures.
- Increased spending for global health research at the University of Washington and for agriculture and alternative fuels research at Washington State University.
Getting results
- The state economy created 200,000+ net new jobs between 2005 and 2008.
- Negotiated a landmark agreement between the state and the Colville and Spokane Indian tribes to make more water available for farms, fish, and people who live on the Columbia River.
Challenges
- One-third of small businesses fail within the first three years. Yet 90 percent of businesses that worked with organizations such as Small Business Development Centers were still in business five years later.
- Roads, bridges, water and sewer systems are necessary to support business and get people to work. We must maintain our aging infrastructure with an eye to the future.
How we measure our progress
Source: Employment Security Department Job opportunities (non-farm) in Washington have steadily increased |
Source: Washington State Department of Revenue Half of sole proprietors and two-thirds of other firm types survive beyond the third year. |
Do you like this report? Do you believe it should include any other information? Please let us know by contacting accountability@gov.wa.gov.