Gregoire's plan includes increasing agricultural exports. This photo of corn being loaded in Seattle for export to Japan was contributed by ILWU Local 98 member Daryl Olson.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire laid out plans Tuesday to boost trade as part of Pres. Obama’s effort to double American exports in five years.
It was symbolic that Gregoire made the announcement at the Port of Seattle, the region’s largest gateway. The Port supports directly and indirectly 200,000 jobs, $18 billion in business revenues and $900 million in state and local tax revenues. Traffic is up 44 percent and Seattle is the fastest-growing port on the U.S. West Coast.