About WEDA

As Washington State’s only trade association laser-focused on economic development, WEDA is committed to recovering, retaining, recruiting and expanding jobs and re-investment in Washington State. WEDA members include economic development organizations, cities, counties, ports, tribes, businesses, education and community-based organizations that prioritize economic development.

Our mission is to serve as the statewide professional association committed to the development of economic and employment opportunities in our state. This requires a strong presence in state legislative and regulatory arenas. WEDA is recognized among decision-makers in Olympia as a united voice for economic development. Legislators and the executive branch respect WEDA because it represents a broad cross-section of individuals throughout the state and has the ability to develop and utilize extensive coalitions on any issue central to economic development.

WEDA needs you in order to help Washington State be a place where jobs can be created by great companies, large and small.

What are the Benefits of Joining WEDA?

WEDA offers its members and others, high-quality training and networking opportunities at its meetings throughout the year. WEDA holds two conferences each year – one during the legislative session and one during the summer. The legislative meeting, also referred to as our Winter Conference, includes a networking reception with legislators, economic development training, and policy-making sessions. The summer conferences provide opportunities to learn best practices, add tools to your economic development toolbox, and network.

The mission of the Washington Economic Development Association is to serve as the statewide professional association committed to the development of economic and employment opportunities in our state.

The Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA) was formed in the fall of 2001 as an organization to serve economic development professionals in Washington. WEDA’s mission is to promote sound economic development policy and provide networking and training opportunities for its members. Our membership consists of members from EDCs, cities, counties, state, federal, council of governments, banks, tourism and tribes to name a few.

Before WEDA, the organization was known as The Washington Association of Economic Development Councils (WAEDC). This organization was formed in 1995 out of the need to have a group representing the views and issues of the Associate Development Organizations (ADO). ADOs are under contract with the state to provide economic development services in the communities that they represent.

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