Washington Business Spring 2019 | Washington Business | Page 9
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Champions for Rural Washington Promote Practical
Solutions at Rural Jobs Summit
Nearly 150 commu-
nity leaders came
together to share
ideas and creative
solutions to some
of the biggest chal-
lenges facing rural
Washington at AWB’s
third Rural Jobs Sum-
mit in Longview.
New Format, Same Message: AWB’s Legislative
Day and Hill Climb Brings Employer Story to
Capitol
The two-day event
at Lower Columbia
College in November
was packed with panel discussions focused on results.
Leaders identified new ways to capitalize businesses and discussed
different methods to deliver health care and view child care as an
investment in infrastructure. State lawmakers talked about tax relief for
small manufacturers, and other panels highlighted Opportunity Zone tax
credits, and Washington’s affordable housing crisis.
AWB has led three rural jobs summits as part of an effort to bring greater
economic opportunity to all Washington communities, including those
rural areas that have been left behind in the state’s recovery since the Great
Recession.
To learn more or get involved in AWB’s Rural Jobs Task Force, contact Mike
Ennis at 360.943.1600 or [email protected].
AWB News Kicks into High Gear
AWB’s communications
team launched a new
video program in
January called AWB
Amplified. The program,
which is part of AWB’s
News offerings, examines timely issues in the legislative session, from tax
proposals and restrictive scheduling legislation to the independent contractor
issue that drew thousands of hairdressers to Olympia.
The team also works throughout the year to update members through Fast Facts,
Washington Business magazine, social media and special reports. Stay tuned at
www.awb.org.
Washington employers converged on the Capitol in Olympia
in late January to tell their story directly to state lawmakers at
AWB’s 2019 Legislative Day and Hill Climb.
Nearly 250 people participated throughout the day, which
included more time for one-on-one discussions with state
lawmakers, and panel discussions on the state budget, taxes,
smarter transportation investments and more. The event
resulted in more than 100 meetings between the employer
community and state legislators.
The day finished with an elegant reception in the marble-lined
Capitol Rotunda.
Nikki Haley to Deliver Keynote Address at AWB
Spring Meeting, May 8-9
Nikki Haley, United States ambassador to the United Nations
(2017-2019), will the deliver the keynote address at AWB’s annual
Spring Meeting May 8-9 in Spokane.
Haley, who previously served as governor of South Carolina,
will cap a full day of discussion focused on the challenges and
opportunities facing Washington’s employers including a review
of the 2019 legislative session.
Sign up today at www.awb/events or call 360.943.1600.
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