Governor Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 26-02 on June 25, 2026, creating the Governor's Economic Development Council to guide Washington's economic strategy. The council will include 26 leaders from business, labor, tribes, and education to identify actions that strengthen Washington's economy. It will advise the governor on the statewide economic development plan due in June 2027 and evaluate Washington's competitiveness against other states. The council will meet quarterly and submit reports to the governor. This council is the first such body in two decades since Governor Christine Gregoire's Global Competitiveness Council in 2006. Governor Ferguson has previously reduced permitting times at state agencies, cutting processing time for Department of Licensing permits by almost 50 percent.
Governor Creates Economic Development Council
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📄 Source: County Government — https://www.governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-creates-economic-development-council
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- ✓Governor Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 26-02 on June 25, 2026“Today Governor Bob Ferguson established a new Governor’s Economic Development Council, a partnership of small businesses, labor, Tribes, educators and large employers in tech and aerospace to guide Washington’s economic strategy.”
- ✓The council will include 26 leaders from business, labor, tribes, and education“The Council will include 26 leading Washingtonians across industries to identify practical actions that strengthen Washington’s economy, expand opportunity and help more Washingtonians succeed.”
- ✓The council will advise the governor on the statewide economic development plan due in June 2027“Advise the Governor and the Department of Commerce on the statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan funded in Governor Ferguson’s first budget, due June 2027.”
- ✓The council will evaluate Washington's competitiveness against other states“Evaluate Washington’s economic competitiveness relative to other states and global competitors.”
- ✓The council will meet quarterly and submit reports to the governor“The Council will meet quarterly and submit advisory reports to the Governor with its findings and recommendations.”
- ✓This council is the first such body in two decades since Governor Christine Gregoire's Global Competitiveness Council in 2006“This is the first such body in two decades — since Governor Christine Gregoire’s Global Competitiveness Council in 2006.”
- ✓Governor Ferguson has previously reduced permitting times at state agencies“Governor Ferguson signed an Executive Order on his first day in office to cut down on permitting times at state agencies.”
- ✓Governor Ferguson cut processing time for Department of Licensing permits by almost 50 percent“The Department of Licensing cut processing time by almost 50 percent across its 340 licenses and permits – 46 to 25 days.”
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