Pacific Northwest Economic Region Foundation (PNWER)

The PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator RIA is a U.S. Department of Transportation Build America Bureau funded grant program that helps to accelerate infrastructure project delivery through provision of technical assistance and identification of innovative financing solutions. The PNWER RIA serves as a convener for transportation projects in the Pacific Northwest with specific focus on multistate and multi-jurisdictional initiatives that ease supply chain disruptions and reduce transportation-related pollution especially for historically underserved communities.

3 Core Meetings Include Capital visits PNWER Annual Summit and the annual PNWER Economic Leadership Forum. a Capital visits: Every year the PNWER Executive Committee visits our region's capitals as well as Washington DC to advocate for regional issues and strengthen connections. b PNWER hosted the Annual Summit at which over 500 public and private sector leaders participate in engaging discussion compelling keynote presentations evening networking events and offsite policy tours. c PNWER hosted The PNWER Economic Leadership Forum the annual winter meeting which provides an opportunity for over 150 local provincial and state leaders in both the public and private sectors to carry out in-depth discussions on key current subjects such as infrastructure changes invasive species and energy.

The PNWER Rural Investment for Small-business Enterprise RISE was a Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund SBIF grant focused on assisting rural Small Women and Black Indigenous People of Color-owned businesses S W BIPOC in Washington State. Through this project PNWER facilitated new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and small under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support mentorship and industry expertise. The purpose is to accelerate post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities and provide needed guidance and services to help them expand and grow their businesses. Connecting S W BIPOC businesses with technology and technical assistance providers based on their needs will help to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses and increase tax revenue in rural areas.