Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 22, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Promotes Economic Development Successes During Visit to Vancouver

Gov. Gary Locke today praised recent economic development successes in Vancouver and Clark County as he participated in three economic development events in the area.

“It’s encouraging to come to Vancouver and witness a region that is surging ahead to become a competitive force in the 21st century global economy,” Locke told business and community leaders.

Locke first met with executives from the Clark County High Tech Community Council to discuss the high-tech industry in Southwest Washington. The council thanked the governor for his ongoing support of issues that affect the high-tech and general business community in the region.

The governor also praised a new state Job Skills Program that will provide manufacturing training for a partnership between Clark College and nLight Photonics. The program is made possible through a $42,000 grant from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. nLight Photonics will match the grant 100 percent.

Locke then helped dedicate the new WSU Vancouver Engineering and Science Institute. Starting in fall, the institute will offer students in Southwest Washington a unique educational opportunity to complete bachelor’s degrees in biology or computer science, as well as bachelor’s or master’s degrees in mechanical engineering.

The institute was created in response to the needs of high-tech industry leaders in Southwest Washington as well as students seeking degrees in high-demand fields. Last year, Locke and the state Legislature allocated initial funding enabling WSU Vancouver to partner with Clark College and Lower Columbia College to develop the institute. The state provided $675,000 for infrastructure for the project. Additionally, $662,500 has been allocated to help fund enrollments at the institute.

“As we dedicate this institute, we also dedicate ourselves to an innovative concept – the concept of a more open and accessible education system,” Locke said. “This system offers unique opportunities in high-demand fields and works with local employers to meet critical skill needs to build stronger regional economies. In opening these doors, we open doors of opportunity.”

The governor rounded out his visit to Vancouver by speaking to several hundred community and business leaders. He received an economic development update from the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Port of Vancouver USA and the Columbia River Economic Development Council. The groups thanked the governor for his efforts to help create more jobs in the area, specifically regarding the recent announcement that Bay Bridge Fabricators, LLC, is a strong candidate for steel fabrication of the east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The contract would result in some 300 new jobs for the Vancouver area.

Bay Bridge Fabricators, LLC, is a consortium of four companies in the region that joined together to bid for the Bay Bridge project, one of the most ambitious transportation undertakings in Northern California in decades. Locke has supported the project from the beginning. He has directed appropriate state agencies to be prepared to expedite the permit processes if the contract is awarded to bring this opportunity to fruition as quickly as possible.

“This regional partnership approach to bidding for significant contracts is a very smart model,” Locke said. “If we land this contract, it will provide new jobs for the port, county and the entire region. This is exactly the type of business we’re working hard to attract to our state – one that provides job creation, infrastructure improvements, and encourages regional collaboration.”

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