The Washington state economic development commission shall:
(1) Concentrate its major efforts on planning, coordination, evaluation, policy analysis, and recommending improvements to the state's economic development system using, but not limited to, the "Next Washington" plan and the global competitiveness council recommendations;
(2) Develop and maintain on a biennial basis a state comprehensive plan for economic development, including but not limited to goals, objectives, and priorities for the state economic development system; identify the elements local associate development organizations must include in their countywide economic development plans; and review the state system for consistency with the state comprehensive plan. The plan shall include the industry clusters in the state and the strategic clusters targeted by the commission for economic development efforts. The commission shall consult with the workforce training and education coordinating board and include labor market and economic information by the employment security department in developing the list of clusters and strategic clusters that meet the criteria identified by the working group convened by the economic development commission and the workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 43.330 RCW. In developing the state comprehensive plan for economic development, the commission shall use, but may not be limited to: Economic, labor market, and populations trend reports in office of financial management forecasts; the annual state economic climate report prepared by the economic climate council; joint office of financial management and employment security department labor force, industry employment, and occupational forecasts; the results of scientifically based outcome evaluations; the needs of industry associations, industry clusters, businesses, and employees as evidenced in formal surveys and other input;
(3) Establish and maintain an inventory of the programs of the state economic development system and related state programs; perform a biennial assessment of the ongoing and strategic economic development needs of the state; and assess the extent to which the economic development system and related programs represent a consistent, coordinated, efficient, and integrated approach to meet such needs; and
(4) Produce a biennial report to the governor and the legislature on progress by the commission in coordinating the state's economic development system and meeting the other obligations of this chapter, as well as include recommendations for any statutory changes necessary to enhance operational efficiencies or improve coordination.
The commission may delegate to the executive director any of the functions of this section.
[2009 c 151 § 9; 2007 c 232 § 4; 2003 c 235 § 3.]