10 great reasons to Choose Washington.

Washington is a state of firsts. Eddie Bauer came up with the first down parkas; K2 invented the first fiberglass snow skis; Pagemaker, grunge music and the Slinky Dog were all invented here as well. The kidney dialysis machine and portable heart defibrillator were developed in Washington, too. So was the world’s first espresso cart, tree farm and yum! – Cinnabons.

The state offers investors and businesses a critical mass in eight primary specific sectors — aerospace, agriculture/food manufacturing, clean energy, forest products, information and communication technology, life science/global health, maritime, and military & defense — providing tremendous opportunities for cross-collaboration, idea sharing, experimentation, partnership and innovation.

Washington residents are curious by nature, as witnessed by our bevy of bookstores and public libraries. 34.2% of the population has advanced degrees and the state’s public universities, private and public colleges, 34 community colleges and workforce training programs ensure a steady supply of highly educated and skilled workers.

Washington’s transportation network includes 75 ports, 139 airports, 3,300 miles of roadways and the state is equidistant to European and Asian markets, making it the ideal place for exporting products and services. The Internet and Washington are one: 94% of all residents have access to broadband and 85.7% of all households are connected to the Internet.

Nearly 75% of the state’s power comes from renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric, solar and wind. Washington’s network of hydroelectric power plants is the largest in the nation, allowing the state to offer the lowest cost energy in the United States.

Washington helped put a cellphone in your one hand and a latte in the other, ushered in the age of affordable jet airline travel, rocked your world with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Heart and Macklemore, broke new ground in computing with some Windows and Words, and turned red hot sand into stunning works of art (thanks Dale Chihuly).

Washington celebrates diversity at all levels. Our varied climate covers seven distinct ecosystems, from the extremely wet shores of the Pacific to the plains-like lands of Eastern Washington, which enjoy more sunshine annually than many parts of Florida. Our people are equally diverse. Every creed, color, religion and ethnic group imaginable can be found within the state’s borders, creating a rich landscape of multi-cultural influences that is a great source of state pride.

We don’t accept defeat easily. From the historic fires that leveled city centers to the ups and downs of an economy that once relied too heavily on a single industry, Washington’s residents continue to dust themselves off in times of adversity and recommit themselves to unbridled success. It is part of our pioneer spirit that helped us tame this once wild land, striking and preserving a delicate balance between progress and preservation.

Washington offers an unparalleled quality of life, one that is eclectic, energetic and diverse. There are plenty of cultural events to explore, world-class museums, restaurants, wineries, galleries, theaters, symphonies, opera and ballet, and a calendar of events, celebrations and festivals that is ever changing and even slightly overwhelming, especially in the summer.

True, Washington State is tucked away up in the northwest corner of the United States. But don’t think for a moment that we’re out of sight or out of mind. Residents are very well informed about the world, leading the way when it comes to embracing new ideas. And we have our own pulse and rhythm that drives our natural curiosity, passion for lifelong learning, competitive nature and pursuit of success in our personal and professional lives.