Gov. Gregoire speaks to state business leaders

For Immediate Release: September 23, 2009

CLE ELUM � Gov. Chris Gregoire today reaffirmed to business leaders at the 20th annual Association of Washington Business policy summit that state leaders are seeing signs of a stabilizing economy.

�Home prices nationally and locally are showing signs of stabilizing. Bank lending to businesses and consumers is easing, so businesses can grow and consumers can spend,� Gregoire said. �And our strengths, especially the great Washington products we produce for export, are likely to pull us back to growth faster than other states. That�s what a recent report declared � that Washington is one of five states best positioned to come out of the recession.�

About 250 business leaders from across the state are expected to attend the three-day conference themed �Charting our Course through the Turbulence.�

Gregoire acknowledged that a full economic recovery will take time, adding that �while the worst is over, we�re not out of the woods yet. Some business sectors are experiencing more of a depression-type situation and are still struggling. And we know employment will lag in the recovery, as will state revenues.� Gregoire pledged to work with business owners and state leaders to ensure a statewide platform for economic success.

Gregoire is attending several events this week to discuss the state�s economic recovery and actions being taken to help business owners succeed. On Sept. 22, Gregoire spoke at the 5th Annual Governor�s Life Sciences Summit and discussed how the life sciences sector will play a vital role in the 21st century economy. Earlier today, Gregoire helped celebrate the grand opening of the Tacoma Goodwill Milgard Work Opportunity Center, a facility to help people with job training and placement opportunities.

In addition, Gregoire held a roundtable discussion with business leaders in Kittitas County today, who hope to establish an Innovation Partnership Zone focused on renewable power research and job growth. Tomorrow, the governor will help commemorate with local contractors the construction of a 64-car ferry. Construction began in January 2009 for the first of three 64-car ferries. The vessel is slated to begin service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route in the summer of 2010.