News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 30, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Sharon Wallace, Communications Director, 360-725-4019

Locke directs Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to operate as a single state agency

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today directed the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Department (CTED) to operate as a single state agency. The new organizational configuration will become effective May 31.

At the governor’s request, Martha Choe will continue serving as the director of CTED. Choe, 47, will now oversee all of the department’s divisions, programs and functions. Since May 2000, CTED has operated as the Office of Trade and Economic Development (OTED) and Office of Community Development (OCD). Under this configuration, each office had a separate director.

OTED and OCD will continue to exist as distinct offices under one director’s office, and will each have an assigned deputy director. There will be no changes to the way divisions are currently organized within CTED.

“Given the budget situation, maintaining two separate offices in the current configuration is no longer practical,” Locke said. “After considering a number of options, I concluded that maintaining CTED is the best way to preserve the state’s ability to fulfill its mission in community and economic development.”

“I am committed to ensuring as seamless a transition as possible, with no disruption in the delivery of our programs and services.” said Choe. “As director of CTED, I remain committed and dedicated to advancing and serving the economic and community development interests of the entire agency, our constituents, stakeholders, and the citizens of Washington state.”
Related Links:
- Office of Community Development
- Office of Trade and Economic Development


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