Bellevue is Building the Future

GeekWire | James Henderson | February 11

http://www.geekwire.com/sponsor-post/bellevue-is-building-the-future/

“It’s a very exciting time on the Eastside. Bellevue has embraced the future and you can see it reflected in the thriving downtown area, the blooming Spring District, approaching Eastlink light rail construction, and, our community’s growing diversity. As construction continues on these projects and the city expands its support services for businesses, Bellevue will become an even greater place to start and grow your business.”

 

Amazon, Microsoft  Dominate Cloud Market, but Seattle is the Big Winner

Puget Sound Business Journal | Rachel Nielsen | February 10

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2016/02/amazon-microsoft-dominate-cloud-market-but-seattle.html

“Though Amazon.com might have the more popular cloud computing offering compared with Microsoft, the two companies together dominate the cloud market. That’s helping to make Seattle the global cloud capital…The Seattle area is the epicenter of cloud computing worldwide, local executives said at a recent cloud conference run by the Puget Sound Business Journal. In addition to behemoths Microsoft and Amazon, the region boasts dozens of startups and small companies that offer cloud technologies and services.”

 

Seattle Teacher-Training program to Expand to Four More Districts

Seattle Times | Mike Lindblom | February 9

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/feds-offer-big-grants-for-puget-sound-area-transit-projects/

“Uncle Sam is offering to contribute $1.2 billion toward Sound Transit’s light rail line from Northgate to Lynnwood, according to the president’s proposed budget – just one of three huge transit gifts in the pipeline for Puget Sound travelers. The proposed First Avenue streetcar line could win another $75 million in federal money, which suddenly places Seattle’s third streetcar corridor on the political fast track. And the feds want to give an addition $43 million toward Community Transit’s Swift 2 bus-rapid transit line connecting Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett’s McCollum Park and Paine Field. The three awards, and many other proposed around the country by the Federal Transit Administration, must still be ratified by Congress in its transportation budget.”

Feds Offer Big Grants for Puget Sound-Area Transit Projects

GeekWire | James Henderson | January 29

http://www.geekwire.com/sponsor-post/bellevue-the-perfect-place-to-launch-your-startup-journey/

“Bellevue has a large and fast-growing presence of technology startup companies. Names like Apptio, OfferUp, Smartsheet, MPIRICA, and many others are charting the path for fast-growing startups on the Eastside. To assist these emerging entrepreneurs we’ve developed programs like Next Generation Bellevue, designed to strengthen the creative and entrepreneurial environment. It allows entrepreneurs, small businesses, learners, and knowledge workers to have the tools they need to create and grow the next generation of businesses…Bellevue is open for businesses. We give entrepreneurs a unique, friendly place to turn their vision into reality. I strongly encourage you to learn more about what Bellevue has to offer.”

 

Bill Would Give College Dropouts Money to Finish

Seattle Times | Katherine Long | February 8

http://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/bill-would-give-college-dropouts-money-to-finish/

“A bill in the state Legislature would give people who didn’t graduated from college – but are only a quarter’s worth of classes away from doing so – the chance to go back and get their degree for free. The Free to Finish College bill passed out of the House Higher Education Committee last week with support from both parties. Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge, one of the bill’s sponsors, described it as a “pretty simple” deal: The state would pick up tuition for students who are 15 credits (one quarter) shy of a four-year or community college degree, and who have not been enrolled in college for at least three years. Students must be Washington residents, and they must be pursuing their first college degree – they’re ineligible if they’ve already earned another college degree or certificate.”

 

Voters are Giving Big Majorities to School Levies in Seattle, Other King County Cities

Seattle PI | Joel Connelly | February 9

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Voters-are-backing-school-levies-in-Seattle-6819586.php

“The voters of Seattle again showed their legendary generosity on Tuesday night, easily passing two big Seattle School District levies totaling more than $1.2 billion. Voters in Renton, Mercer Island, Federal Way and Tukwila are also passing levies. The levies garnering 70-plus percent of the vote in Seattle and on Mercer Island, and were in the low 60-percent range in Federal Way and Tukwila…The capital levy aims to put 2,050 additional seats into Seattle classrooms.”