What’s Ahead for the Historic UW-China Tech School in the Seattle Region As It Prepares for 1st Students

GeekWire | Nat Levy | July 12

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/whats-ahead-historic-uw-china-tech-school-seattle-region-prepares-1st-students/

“This fall, the Global Innovation Exchange will welcome its first student cohort, representing the culmination of close to five years of planning, and a first-of-its kind alliance between the University of Washington, Tsinghua University in China, Microsoft, the local real estate community and more. At a meeting of the Washington chapter of NAIOP Wednesday, GIX officials and members of the team who designed the building where the program will be housed detailed the genesis of the program and its future ambitions. The program will be housed in a three-story, 100,000-square-foot structure in Bellevue’s Spring District project, and the first class will include 40 students from across the globe — U.S., China, India, France, Taiwan, Switzerland, Paraguay, Estonia and Canada. GIX is looking ahead with a 20-year model, with plans to double its class size each year and expects more than 3,000 students to graduate over the next 10 years.”

Washington Is America’s Top State for Business, According to CNBC Exclusive Study

CNBC | CNBC Staff | July 11

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/11/washington-is-americas-top-state-for-business-according-to-cnbc-exclusive-study.html

“CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, today unveiled the results of its eleventh annual list of America’s Top States for Business with Washington taking the number one position. The Evergreen state scored 1,621 out of 2,500 points…Washington has placed in the top ten for the last four years and celebrates 2017 in first place. This year, the state had top ten finishes in five of the ten categories of competitiveness – coming a long way from its number 21 position in 2012 and 2013. Washington’s economy grew 3.7 percent in 2016, the largest increase of any state and nearly 2.5 times the national rate.”

Seattle Has Most Cranes in the Country for 2nd Year in a Row – And Lead is Growing

Seattle Times | Mike Rosenberg | July 11

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-has-most-cranes-in-the-country-for-2nd-year-in-a-row-and-lead-is-growing/

“For the second year in a row, Seattle has been named the crane capital of America — and no other city is even close, as the local construction boom transforming the city shows no signs of slowing. Seattle had 58 construction cranes towering over the skyline at the start of the month, about 60 percent more than any other U.S. city, according to a new semiannual count from Rider Levett Bucknall, a firm that tracks cranes around the world. Seattle first topped the list a year ago, when it also had 58 cranes, and again in January, when the tally grew to 62. The designation has come to symbolize — for better or worse — the rapid growth and changing nature of the city, as mid-rises and skyscrapers pop up where parking lots and single-story buildings once stood.”

Bremerton Fast Ferry Officially Begins Service

KING 5 | Bryce Newberry | July 11

http://www.king5.com/news/local/bremerton/fast-ferry-service-launches-july-10-between-seattle-and-bremerton/454385054

“The official start of Kitsap Transit’s new fast ferry service from Bremerton to Seattle started Monday, running weekdays and Saturdays. A round trip on the ferry will cost $12. Passengers can ride for free throughout July. “This is the heart of maritime innovation in Kitsap County and we are so excited that the citizens of Kitsap County are taking another step forward in uniting our great state,” Governor Jay Inslee said at the grand opening ceremony Wednesday. “This is one of the highest-tech ferries ever invented – it’s going to travel at 38 to 40 knots through Rich Passage with minimal wake, it is a high-tech solution to a growth problem in Puget Sound,” Inslee said.”