Washington State Department of Commerce

Washington State Department of Commerce

Agency overview
Headquarters	Olympia, Washington
Employees	735 (2024) [1]
Annual budget	$10.5 billion (2025-26) [1]
Agency executive	Joe Nguyen, Director
Website	Commerce.wa.gov

The Washington State Department of Commerce is a state agency in Washington. Based in the state's capitol, Olympia, Washington, the agency is responsible for community and economic development. The agency manages several boards and commissions with a focus on businesses, local governments, tribes, and community-based organizations. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

As of 2024 ^[update] , the agency had approx. 735 employees and a $10.5 billion budget for the 2025-2026 biennium. ^[1]

Divisions

The Department of Commerce has five main divisions: Housing, Energy, Local Government, Economic Development, and Community Services. ^{[5] [ better source needed ]}

• Housing works on programs related to homeownership and residential stability through the Department of Commerce’s Homeownership Unit. Its activities include providing capital funding for housing development and administering programs that assist individuals facing foreclosure or displacement due to the closure of manufactured home communities.
• Energy analyzes statewide energy issues, develops initiatives aligned with state energy policies, offers policy support and public information, and administers energy-related grants for eligible entities.
• Local Government services include financial and technical assistance for local governments, as well as support for nonprofits, community organizations, and tribes. Programs in this area provide funding for broadband expansion, public infrastructure, community and economic development, growth management planning, behavioral health facilities, early learning facilities, and other community projects that address local and regional needs.
• Economic Development supports key industries, expanding international trade, assisting small businesses, offering workforce training programs, increasing access to funding opportunities, and coordinating with local economic development partners across all Washington counties.
• The Key Industries / Community Services Division focuses on community programs and services through partnerships with local governments, tribes, community action agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations.

Rulemaking

Rulemaking is a process used by government agencies to develop regulations that implement state laws and adjust state programs as conditions change. ^[6]

History

Mike Fong, the former deputy mayor of Seattle and a regional director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was appointed as head of the department in April 2023. ^[7]

In December 2024, Governor-elect Bob Ferguson appointed State Senator Joe Nguyen to succeed Mike Fong as the agency's director. ^[8]

In June 2025, the agency underwent organizational restructuring, terminating 24 employees, dissolving its equity team and extending a pause on hiring due to budget shortfalls. ^[9]

References

1. McCarthy, Pat (August 11, 2025). "Accountability Audit Report; Washington State Department of Commerce; For the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (Report No. 1037901)". Washington State Auditor. p. 17. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
2. "The Washington State Department of Commerce - Learn About Us". Washington State Department of Commerce. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
3. "About Commerce's Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness". Washington State - Building Business Legends. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
4. "Washington State Department of Commerce – CleanTech Alliance" . Retrieved August 29, 2020.
5. "Homepage". Washington State Department of Commerce. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
6. "Rulemaking". Washington State Department of Commerce. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
7. Cornfield, Jerry (April 12, 2023). "Former Snohomish County official to lead WA Department of Commerce". The Everett Herald . Retrieved May 22, 2023.
8. Cornfield, Jerry. "Ferguson taps Seattle state senator to lead WA Department of Commerce". Washington State Standard . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
9. Carter, Simone (June 11, 2025). "Washington Department of Commerce dissolves standalone equity team". The Olympian . Retrieved August 12, 2025.