Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants

The Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants are administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce under the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing (BEST) Act, passed by the Washington Legislature in 2021. The program's goal is to add 300,000 new manufacturing jobs in Washington over 10 years. Awards run from $100,000 to $200,000 per project, with a typical annual pool of $1 million spread across approximately 5–10 projects. Commerce takes zero equity and imposes no IP claims. For-profit companies do not apply directly to Commerce. Instead, they submit applications to their local Associate Development Organization (ADO) — the nonprofit economic development body for their county. The ADO reviews, endorses, and submits approved applications to Commerce on the company's behalf. Commerce only reviews business applications that come through an ADO. Tribal businesses and industrial innovation cluster organizations apply directly via a Smartsheet online form. Investments are expected to generate manufacturing and R&D jobs; demonstrating access to capital or match funding is encouraged but not required. Eligible projects include facility expansions, manufacturing equipment upgrades, technology pilots, R&D infrastructure, and workforce development activities that align with Washington's key industries — including aerospace, clean energy, maritime, advanced materials, and hydrogen. Past awardees include companies developing ceramic electrolyzers for hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen-powered UAVs, and precision advanced components for the space and aerospace sectors. Applications are issued once per year, typically opening in early April with a deadline in mid-May. The 2026 cycle opened April 2 and closed May 14, 2026. Awards are announced within a few months of the close date. There is no formal scoring rubric published; Commerce evaluates likely job creation from manufacturing and R&D, technological advancement, and alignment with state key industries. Key watch-out: companies must work through their county ADO, not apply directly. ADOs will not forward applications from counties unrelated to where the business growth will occur. Tribal businesses and cluster organizations bypass the ADO and apply online directly to Commerce.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.