In ‘Around The Table,’ we highlight member news and share information on industry trends. This week, we shine the spotlight on Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and Microsoft.

Universities of Washington and British Columbia Establish Urban Data Center to Advance Social Good

The University of Washington and University of British Columbia announced creation of the Cascadia Urban Analytics Cooperative this week. The collaborative will bring faculty, students, and community stakeholders together to solve problems and use data to help cities and communities address challenges from traffic to homelessness. Microsoft provided a $1 million gift to fund the program. Efforts to expand regional cooperation along the Cascadia corridor were catalyzed during last September’s Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, co-hosted by the Business Council of British Columbia, Washington Roundtable, and Microsoft. More from Opportunity Washington here, from UW here, and coverage from Geek Wire here.

In related news, Gov. Inslee spoke about the importance of strong ties with British Columbia in a recent interview with CBC, saying that the “unpredictable” presidency of Donald Trump makes the relationship with British Columbia increasingly important for tourism, economies, research, and the environment. According to the media report, Gov. Inslee said he wants to keep ties strong between the two jurisdictions with more air service and perhaps, in the future, high-speed rail. He also said the region is strongly positioned to become a leader in biomedical research and wants to establish a research corridor between Vancouver and Seattle. Read more here and listen here.

Boeing and Alaska Airlines Partner on Sea-Tac Biofuel Initiative

Boeing has partnered with Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle on an initiative to power every SeaTac departure with biofuel. A recent study, conducted with the support of the three partners, found “the best solution to begin providing sustainable aviation biofuel to all flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a small receiving and blending facility at the airport’s fuel farm.” The study looked at 30 potential sites around Washington that could provide the airport with up to 50 million gallons of biofuel annually. “We want to signal to producers that we’re ripe for biofuel production in the Pacific Northwest,” said Carol Sim, Alaska Airlines’ director of environmental affairs. Learn more about the initiative here.

In ‘Around The Table,’ we highlight member news and share information on industry trends. This week, we shine the spotlight on the Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Nordstrom, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Boeing.

Washington Businesses Help Launch AP Access Fund Initiative 

Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib is leading a coalition effort to raise $800,000 to help the state cover the cost of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam fees, which range from $53 to $116 per test, for low-income students. Federal funding for these exam fees was eliminated in late 2016, as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Lt. Gov. Habib announced that Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Nordstrom and the Schultz Family Foundation each made early commitments to help launch the initiative, pledging a combined $250,000. Read more here.

Bill and Melinda Gates’ Annual Letter: “Dear Warren”

Ten years ago, Warren Buffett, donated the bulk of his fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foundation’s efforts to reduce inequity. His commitment allowed the foundation to expand its work into agricultural development, financial services for the poor, and other global development programs, as well as continue programs to improve global health and U.S. education. This year, Bill and Melinda Gates’ annual letter is a response to a question from Warren on the status of his gift. It’s focused on progress and continued challenges in the foundation’s work in global health. Read the annual letter here.

Boeing Unveils Newest Member of 787 Family

Boeing rolled out its latest plane this afternoon, the 787-10 Dreamliner, the newest and longest member of the super-efficient 787 family. The new plane is being touted for its unprecedented efficiency: 10 percent better fuel and emissions than the best on offer by the competition and 25 percent better than the airplanes it will replace. “This airplane, the most efficient in its class, is the result of years of hard work and dedication from our Boeing teammates, suppliers and community partners,” said Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president. See the new 787-10 Dreamliner here.