Source: enterpriseSeattle press release, September 27, 2011. WCTA Gold Member enterpriseSeattle was awarded $1.2 million through the Federal Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge. The funding is to support the establishment of the Washington Interactive Media Accelerator.
WCTA Gold Member enterpriseSeattle, formerly known as the Economic Development Council for Seattle and King County, today announced that it was awarded $1.2 million in federal funding through the Federal Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a multi-agency competition launched in May to support the advancement of 20 high-growth, regional industry clusters. The funding received from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration, and the Small Business Administration will go to the establishment of the Washington Interactive Media Accelerator (WIMA) and the furthering of enterpriseSeattle’s Washington Interactive Network (WIN) targeted at supporting the interactive media industry in Washington State.
“The interactive media industry in Washington State currently has more than 150 companies that employ more than 15,000 people,” said Jeff Marcell, President and CEO of enterpriseSeattle. ‘The funding provided by this grant will allow us to continue our work in support of the interactive media industry, creating an accelerator and programs that will continue to attract jobs and capital investment to our region.”
Since 2007, the interactive media industry has experience more than a 33 percent increase in the number of employees in the Seattle Metropolitan region, despite a challenging economy. The WIMA will provide support services to assist new startup, provide internships and other professional training opportunities, collaborate on improved curriculum development and mentoring, and provide both a common physical space and virtual portal that will foster and maintain new business and potential employees.
“Washington State has become a global leader in the interactive media industry, a sector that is quickly changing the worldwide landscape of entertainment, information and commerce,” said Kristina Hudson, Business Development Manager, enterpriseSeattle, and Director, Washington Interactive Network. “This grant will allow us to further the programs we’ve developed as part of the Washington Interactive Network, and build on the ongoing partnerships that we have in place with industry and other non-profit and public organizations”.
About enterpriseSeattle
enterpriseSeattle is a 40-year old economic development partnership charged with the mission of building a competitive, world-class economy in King County and its 39 cities. Funded through a combination of private and public investment, the organization provides one-on-one, confidential consulting services, free-of-charge, to businesses seeking to establish, expand, or relocate to the area. For more information, visit www.enterpriseSeattle.org.
About Washington Interactive Network
The Washington Interactive Network (WIN) is enterpriseSeattle’s economic development program focused specifically on the interactive media sector. The purpose of WIN is to promote, nurture, and grow the interactive media industry in Washington State. For more information visit www.washingtoninteractivenetwork.org or www.gamestartup101.com.