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 • June 2024 •
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Calling all Small Business Owners, Tribal & Community Leaders
We want to hear from you!
ORIA is hosting a series of Small Business Regulatory Roundtables around Washington state. The goal of these roundtables is to listen and get input on how government agencies can better support small business owners specifically through regulatory improvements. As we tour the state, each roundtable will include representatives from different government agencies.
Topics of discussion include:
- Licensing
- Permitting
- Tax Reporting & Fees
- Regulatory Processes
For more information and to register, click the link below!
We want to hear the opinion from all Washington businesses. If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to the discussion, please take a few minutes to complete this multiple-choice survey to help us understand how we can improve. We appreciate any feedback you can provide.
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Two New Loan Programs Now Available
Commerce launches the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) with two new loan programs!
The Small Business Flex Fund 2 and the Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loan Programs are live!
The goals of the SSBCI programs are to address the capital needs of the smallest businesses and non-profit organizations in Washington, with a focus on under-resourced and under-banked communities.
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Washington Small Business Flex Fund 2 : The Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access affordable loans they need to thrive. With competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options, the new Washington Small Business Flex Fund 2 is designed to help small businesses and nonprofits access funds to grow and thrive.
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Owner-Occupied Commercial Real-Estate Loan Program: The program is designed to assist small businesses in qualifying for financing and lowering their business risk when undertaking owner-occupied real estate loans. The program benefits small business owners with funding for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans that could be used for tenant improvements, construction, purchase or refinance.
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 Are you Ready to Contract with the Government?
The Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) just launched a new on-demand training platform for certified businesses! OMWBE Academy helps certified businesses navigate the complex world of government contracting. Learning modules include topics such as bonding, indirect rates, and understanding the bidding process. All courses within OMWBE Academy are available in English and in Spanish.
Join OMWBE Academy or Get Certified with OMWBE!
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 Opportunities for Washington Businesses
State agencies are eager to invest in small, diverse, and veteran-owned Washington businesses.
What are small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses?
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Small Businesses: Located in Washington, with 50 or fewer employees and a gross annual revenue of less than $7 million.
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Diverse Businesses: At least 51% owned by minorities, women, and other under-represented communities.
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Veteran-Owned: Incorporated in Washington and at least 51% veteran-owned.
Get started with state contracting:
Meet DES at Tabor 100!
Drop by Tabor 100 the last Wednesday of each month for in-person help getting started on doing business with the state.
- We can show you the best state contracting opportunities for the goods and services you sell.
- We can help you get registered in WEBS.
- Learn where to get technical support for bidding on state contracts.
Drop in to discover how to grow your business with state opportunities!
- Where: Tabor 100, 7100 Fort Dent Way, Suite 100, Tukwila, WA 98188
- When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Dates: June 26, July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30
Apply Now for DES’ New Small Works Roster
Small prime contractors looking for public works opportunities of $350,000 or less should apply now to join the statewide small works roster.
As of July 1:
- DES will be joining hundreds of other public agencies on the statewide small works roster hosted by the Municipal Research and Services Center.
- Whether you’re new to small works or you’ve been on DES’ list before, you must apply now to continue to receive small works opportunities after June 30.
- DES will also be switching to online bids for the small works roster – register for online bidding today!
Subscribe for Public Works Business Diversity updates, or email your questions
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Small Businesses Can Save Money & Help The Environment
Electronic products contain valuable materials that can be recycled and toxic chemicals that should be kept out of landfills. E-Cycle Washington is a free program that makes it easy for Washington’s small businesses to recycle certain broken or worn-out electronics and save money. Items accepted include:
- TVs
- Computers
- Laptops
- Monitors
- Tablets
To find a nearby collection site, you can call 1-800-RECYCLE or go to ecyclewa.org. If you have more than ten electronic items, contact the Materials Management and Financing Authority at 1-855-674-5871 before bringing them to a collection location.
Small businesses may also participate in the program by becoming a collection site and receive compensation for the electronics collected. If you have questions or are interested in becoming a collector, contact Christine Haun at christine.haun@ecy.wa.gov.
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 New In-Person Learning Opportunity!
Early Return to Work consultants and Risk Management specialists are excited to present together this year at Labor & Industries’ (L&I) Contractor Days. The presentation will focus on managing workers’ compensation costs, mitigating increases, implementing light-duty work and utilizing financial-incentive programs.
Join us for our session:
Building Success: Strategies for Cost Savings through Return to Work - 1.75 SHRM credits available.
- June 21, 2024 • Green River Community College (Auburn)
- Sept. 6, 2024 • Edmonds Community College
- Oct. 11, 2024 • Spokane Community College
- Dec. 13, 2024 • Olympic College (Bremerton)
Sign up for the presentation here: Contractor Training & Workshops (wa.gov)
Questions? Email ERTW@lni.wa.gov
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Small Business Requirements & Resources
The Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) are free workshops providing you with essential information and resources to help start and grow your business.
Outreach events are sponsored by the Small Business Liaison Team and hosted by local partners.
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Starting a Business in Washington • Live Workshop
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 • 9:00 AM -10:00 am • Register Here
Small Business Guide
The Small Business Guide is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business. Whether you are starting your business, managing a new business, or expanding your business, you'll find valuable information and resources.
The business guide is readily accessible online, but it's also available in PDF, so you can have it as a printed reference manual. The PDF is available English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog and two volumes in Braille Ready Format.
Click here to download the guide in PDF format
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How much do you know about the hazards of the chemicals you use?
The Dept. of Ecology offers webinars, in-person training, and other opportunities to build the skills you need to explore safer chemicals. To learn more, visit Dept. of Ecology - Safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting - Live Webinar
As of January 1, 2024, most (not all) corporations and LLCs must report information about their owners, controllers, and applicants to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Learn more about this requirement in the upcoming webinar provided by WSBDC:
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