The state Senate on Tuesday voted Senate Bill 6518 off the floor with a vote of 47-0. The measure would transfer one Innovate Washington building in Spokane to Washington State University as well as the master lease to another.
Created in 2011, Innovate Washington is the successor agency to the Washington Technology Center and Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, serving as the primary agency to grow the state’s innovation-based economy. However, last year the Legislature eliminated funding for Innovate Washington, along with a series of other economic development related boards, commissions and agencies.
Under SB 6518, Innovate Washington would be removed from statute and the Innovate Washington Building, located on the WSU Spokane Campus, would be transferred to WSU. The master lease of the Technology Center Building, located adjacent to the campus, would also be transferred to WSU.
You can view our previous coverage of the legislation here.
WSU is already the largest occupant in both buildings and already provides maintenance and operations support for the Innovate Washington Building. If transferred to WSU, these buildings would be used to help the campus build out its health sciences mission.
Recent federal funding to a Spokane health consortium that includes WSU Spokane will support new medical residencies at a new community health clinic to open on campus. The clinic would provide students with an opportunity to develop their skills while providing health care services for the community.
The bill now goes to the House for consideration.