State Senate committee unanimously confirms Mike Fong as Washington’s Commerce Director

Commerce Director Mike Fong addresses the Washington State Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee during his confirmation hearing on Jan. 9.

The Washington State Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee unanimously voted to confirm the appointment of Mike Fong as Commerce Director on Jan. 9. A final confirmation vote by the full Senate will take place during the 2024 Legislative session.

Gov. Jay Inslee appointed the former U.S. Small Business Administration Pacific Northwest Regional Administrator and Seattle Deputy Mayor to lead Commerce in April 2023.

“In his first nine months on the job, Mike has shown that he is well-suited to lead the Department of Commerce’s team as they take on significant new opportunities to move Washington businesses and communities forward,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “From housing to clean energy to broadband expansion and helping secure federal funding, Mike is positioning the department to succeed.”

Commerce Director Mike Fong speaks to the Washington State Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee during his confirmation hearing on Jan. 9.

Fong said his immediate priorities include:

• Meeting urgent needs around housing stability, affordability and preventing homelessness;
• De-carbonizing and market transformation related to climate change;
• Creating green jobs, supporting small businesses and enhancing our global competitiveness;
• Closing the digital divide in Washington’s rural and urban communities;
• Leveraging all avenues for securing generational investment opportunities from the federal government; and
• Working with Commerce’s many community partners to make meaningful investments.

Gov. Inslee’s proposed 2024 supplemental budget includes a $1.2 billion increase for Commerce, reflecting his commitment to continue and expand the agency’s work to strengthen communities across the state.

“Commerce is unique, in that everything we do is an investment in Washington state’s greatest asset: our people,” said Director Fong. “Whether it be meeting their basic needs of housing and safety, helping our businesses rebuild in a post-pandemic economy, or connecting seniors and low income households to the internet, our programs help people move forward and build strong and resilient communities.”