The Office of Community Development shall contract with the Department of Social and Health Services for federal matching funds for this program. The Office of Community Development shall contract with the Department of Social and Health Services for federal matching funds for this program. The state of Washington maintains an International Trade Office in Japan to promote the state and its products. The scope and quality of service delivered to small and medium-sized firms requesting assistance to do business in Japan will be reduced, and the Japan office will relocate from Tokyo to Kobe. Technology Improvements Information technology improvements including network systems and the upgrade to Windows 2000 are necessary for the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to improve agency systems and hardware to a level consistent with the direction of other state agencies and industry standards.
Ongoing funding is provided for network administration and maintenance.
The Washington Technology Center helps Washington companies overcome the technical challenges of product development by linking the companies to scientific and engineering resources of the state's universities, and shortens the time from development to market. Due to budgetary constraints it is necessary to seek greater efficiencies in order to operate at a lower cost. The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute helps entrepreneurs create and grow technology based companies in Eastern Washington. Due to budgetary constraints it is necessary for the Institute to operate at a lower cost. The program is abolished as of June 30, 2003.