About Us

The RISE-WA program focused on assisting rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State. Through this project, the team 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 was 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 helped to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses.

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a statutory public/private non-profit created in 1991 by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Mission statement
To increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region, while maintaining and enhancing our natural environment.

Goals

• Identify and promote "models of success"

• Serve as a conduit to exchange information.

• Promote greater regional collaboration

• Enhance the competitiveness of the region in both domestic and international markets

• Leverage regional influence in Ottawa and Washington D.C.

• Achieve continued economic growth while maintaining the region’s natural environment​

• ​Communicate provincial and state policies throughout the region