SJI’s Policy Research and Evaluation team has partnered with the Washington State Department of Commerce to produce a report concentrated on increasing representation of women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across the state’s manufacturing sector.

This research initiative was established through a 2024 proviso from the Washington State Manufacturing Council, which calls for a review of best practices. The focus is on approaches that have proven effective in increasing women and BIPOC ownership of manufacturing businesses and encouraging broader workforce participation.

Project Work Group

As part of this project, a work group will be formed consisting of diverse representatives from Washington’s manufacturing industry to provide guidance and insights. The work group will meet twice:

Meeting 1: Project overview and discussion

  • Friday, February 21st, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • To register, please click here

Meeting 2: Review and prioritize recommendations

  • March — date to be determined

The findings and recommendations will be sent to the Washington State Manufacturing Council by June 30th, 2025.