State Resources


Washington Business Resources

Mining was the main driver of Washington’s economy in the nineteenth century but it has diversified significantly since then. The discovery of gold in Alaska sparked the growth of Seattle in the early twentieth century, as the city’s location made it the perfect departure point for those hoping to strike it rich in the northern frontier.

Agriculture accounts for roughly one fifth of Washington’s gross domestic product and employs nearly 200,000 people. Washington is the country’s leading producer of apples, pears and sweet cherries. Other significant contributors to the state’s economy include the production of wheat, aluminum, and tourism.

Modern days have seen Washington become a manufacturing hub for the aerospace and technology industries. Home to the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett, the Puget Sound contains a significant portion of Washington’s industrial and commercial development.

Business Data

Per Capita Real GDP$39,616 Rank: 12/50 (2006)
Population5,894,120 Rank: 15/50 (2000)
Per Capita Personal Income$37,423 Rank: 14/50 (2006)
Unemployment Rate4.50% Rank: 24/50 (2008)
Business Tax Climate IndexRank: 11/50 (2008)
Corporate Tax Rate0
Individual Tax Rate 0
Sales Tax Rate 6.5%

Business Tax Climate Index

Individual Income Tax Index Rank1
Sales Tax Index Rank50
Unemployment Insurance Tax Index Rank36
Property Tax Index Rank28
Business Tax Climate Index11
Corporate Tax Index Rank31

State Information

AbbreviationWA
CapitalOlympia
Nick NameEvergreen State
State Web Sitehttp://www.washington.gov
MottoBy and by

Top 5 Export Partner Countries

China, Japan, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Korea, South

Top 5 Export Merchandise

Computers and Electronic Products Sales Transportation Equipment Sales Computers and Electronic Products Manufacturing Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Fabricated Metal Products Manufacturing

Major Cities

Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma

GDP

Total Gross Domestic Product (USD Millions) $311,270.00 (2007)
Per Capita Real GDP (USD)$40,361.00 Rank: 12 (2007)

Population Stats

Population 6,549,224 Rank: 13 (2008)

Age Distribution

Under 18 Population1,513,840
Under 18 Percent of Total Population26%
65 and older Population662,148
65 and older Percent of Total Population11%

Gender Distribution

Male Population49.8%
Female Population50.2%
Non-English Speaker (at home)609,135
Net International Immigration134,242
Birth Rate13.2%
Percent of People Under Poverty Level11.9%
Rank30

Expenditure

Per Capita State Spending$32,345
Rank23
Energy Expenditures per Person$3,351
Expenditures of State and Local Government Employee-Retirement Systems$2,446,728

Revenue

Personal Income$36,241
Rank14
State Internal Revenue Collection$57,449,739
Rank15
Cash and Deposits by State Government$1,545,670
Per Capita State Tax Collection$2,595
Rank18

Education

High School Graduation Rate68.6%
Rank32
Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree19.4%
Rank9
Percent of Population with an Advanced Degree10.6%
Rank12

Largest Universities

University of Washington, Seattle Washington State University Western Washington University
High School Graduation Rate68.6%

Logistics

Public Road Length (Mile)83,256
Gas Tax Rate (%)34%
Highway Planning and Construction (USD Thousands)566,351
Number of Public Airports136

Main Airports

BFI: Seattle GEG: Spokane SEA: Seattle

Ports

Anacortes Everett Grays Harbor Kalama Longview Olympia Port Angeles Seattle Tacoma Vancouver

Weather


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State Business Links

Seattle Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/index.html

Secretary of State

Washington Secretary of State
http://www.secstate.wa.gov
The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer, chief corporations officer, and supervisor of the State Archives.

Small Business Administration

Washington Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/wa/index.html
The U.S. Small Business Administration was officially established on July 30, 1953. The SBA has since delivered 20 million loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.

Top 10 Business Links

Access Washington
http://access.wa.gov/
The official site of the state of Washington, this site provides information on government, business, education, living, visiting, and working in the state. Business links include resources for starting a business in Washington state, licensing information, and state laws and regulations.
Association of Washington Business (AWB)
http://www.awb.org/
Washington State’s version of a chamber of commerce, the AWB has a member base of more than 6,300, of which 80% are SMBs. It provides business advising and assistance services, accompanied by various web resources focusing on topics such as human resources, laws, healthcare, and the environment.
Global Business Center
http://foster.washington.edu/ciber/
This center if part of the Michael G. Foster School of Business, at the University of Washington. It aims to promote international business through various programs and educational initiatives. The site also provides a series of links to international organizations and resources.
Port of Seattle
http://www.portseattle.org/
The Port of Seattle provides a wide range of services that facilitate international trade for businesses in both Washington State, and the rest of the United States.
Statewide Services
http://www.choosewashington.com/index.asp
Statewide Services specializes in assisting both local and out-of-state companies who wish to establish themselves in Washington state. Its website offers an extensive pool of business resources, including economic data, state industries, and a location search. The team also provides its business assistance services for free.
US Export Assistance Center of Seattle
http://www.buyusa.gov/seattle/
This branch of the Department of Commerce specializes in helping small, to medium sized companies, in Washington State, develop and execute exporting strategies. Fees vary and are based on the service being provided.
Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT)
http://www.wcit.org/
The WCIT is devoted to advancing global opportunities for businesses in Washington State. Services that it provides include international trade updates, networking opportunities, as well as company advocacy. Its website offers a range of resources that focus on various international business topics, and links to other resources.
Washington Manufacturing Services (WMS)
http://www.wamfg.org/doc/about.html
The WMS is a professional organization dedicated to aiding and advancing smaller manufacturers in Washington State. Aside from providing consulting services, it also conducts programs for employee training and certification.
Washington Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
http://www.wsbdc.org/
A collaborative project by the University of Washington, and other colleges and economic development organizations, the SBDC provides assistance and training for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Services it offers include business FAQs, research studies, and interactive counseling sessions.
Washington Technology Center (WTC)
http://www.watechcenter.org/
The WTC is a technology and innovation-based economic development organization. It primarily focuses on assisting companies in the development and commercialization of technological innovations. Services they provide include funding assistance, R&D expertise and infrastructure, as well as investment opportunities.

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