Auburn’s Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ)
The City of Auburn’s Innovation Partnership Zone is an entity created to support economic growth by connecting individuals and businesses with workforce training and research, encouraging in innovation of new technologies and marketable products, promoting job growth within the community. This goal is made possible by the Urban Center for Innovative Partnerships (WA State IPZ #15-Auburn), the City of Auburn Office of Economic Development, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce and the Auburn Downtown Association.
Urban Business Center for Innovative Partnerships
The Urban Business Center for Innovative Partnerships brings ideas and efforts of Auburn’s Business Clusters together with cutting edge research programs to create new products, markets, and employment in Auburn.
Washington State Innovation Partnership Zone Program
The Washington State Innovation Partnership Zone Program is a model for sustainable innovations and new market partnerships. The program utilizes public and private research, workforce development, and the reinvention of industrial properties to develop mixed use business clusters within communities statewide.
Leadership
Nancy Backus
Mayor, City of Auburn
Nancy Backus was elected to her first term as mayor in 2014 and is the first female to hold the office in Auburn’s 125 year history. Prior to taking office, she served 10 years as an Auburn’s City Council Member and spent 25 years as a financial manager for the Boeing Company. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a proud wife and mother to a high-achieving, soccer-playing daughter attending Green River College.
A strong believer in service to community and bettering the lives of women and girls, Backus earned the Soroptimist International of Auburn Women Helping Women award in 2002, the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, the 2012 Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound Distinguished Alumni Award, the Boeing Career Foundation Program (BCFP) Manager of the Year Award in 2011, the Dale Carnegie Human Principles in Action award in 2007 and most recently received the 2014 Business and Professional Women’s Woman of Achievement award.