Gov. Gregoire Named 2007 Economic Development Champion

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2008

SEATTLE � enterprise Seattle today named Gov. Chris Gregoire winner of its 2007 Public Sector Economic Development Champion award.

enterprise Seattle President and CEO Tom Flavin said that in 2007, Gregoire�s leadership helped contribute to one of the best legislative sessions for economic development in 20 years.

�It�s not just the legislative session, but across the board, her leadership on important economic issues has been exemplary,� Flavin said. �Positioning this state in the global competition for jobs and economic growth is essential, and we think the governor�s doing a great job.�

The organization also named Safeco CEO Paula Reynolds its 2007 Private Sector Economic Development Champion, and Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman Jr. as Puget Sound Business Journal Executive of the Year. The awards were presented during Enterprise Seattle�s 36th Annual Economic Forecast Conference. They are awarded annually to recognize economic development leaders.

Gregoire noted that in the past three years, the state has created 218,000 new jobs and the state unemployment rate was the lowest in Washington state history.

�We have thrown out the old economic development model and are seeing exciting new growth in innovative businesses,� she said. �But to continue this progress, we must never accept the status quo. Our work is not done.�

The governor said she is honored to receive the award.

�Economic development is a team sport,� she said. �It was a pleasure to be recognized for our work along with my colleagues from the private sector."

enterprise Seattle provides client-based economic development services. Its mission is to be a "difference-maker" in the community by growing the jobs and tax base in King County, its 39 cities and the greater Puget Sound region.

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