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 The Spokane BizFair 2026 is Only a Month Away!
Washington State’s largest FREE business resource fair will be held at the Small Business Development Center at 4420 East 8th Ave, Spokane, WA 99212 on Thursday, May 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Come learn about free resources to start or grow your small business with local, state, and federal organizations. We will also be offering free workshops on business skills, such as bookkeeping, registering your business with DOR and SOS, how to file your taxes, business planning, and many more!
See the full list and register for the event on . Refreshments and snacks will be offered throughout the day. We hope to see you there!
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Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program (WAZIP)
The Washington State Department of Transportation launched a new program to help businesses and fleet operators transition to cleaner vehicles.
Through WAZIP, buyers can request vouchers and must purchase from pre-approved dealerships statewide. The Climate Commitment Act provides $112 million in incentives to reduce upfront costs and ongoing operating expenses.
Medium- and heavy-duty equipment qualifies (e.g., trucks, construction and agriculture equipment, airport equipment, commercial boats, forklifts, locomotives, refrigerated units, freight-handling equipment, and charging/dispensing stations), with incentive amounts varying by equipment type. Small businesses qualify for enhanced incentives.
Click the button below to learn more about the program.
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Commerce's CRP: Funding that Rebuilds Communities
The Community Reinvestment Program (CRP), House Bill 2523, was signed in to law on March 23rd, 2026 by Gov. Bob Ferguson. The bill passed with strong bipartisan votes of 88-9 in the House and 45-3 in the Senate.
Across Washington, the Community Reinvestment Program is driving real impact -supporting small businesses, expanding opportunity, and helping individuals move into good jobs that lead to long-term economic mobility. Through CRP, local workforce development boards have engaged more than 9,600 businesses statewide, invested $5.6 million directly into small businesses, and supported over 3,300 individuals engaging in training and entering stable employment.
For the 2025-2027 biennium, CRP is investing $14 million into workforce development, including helping people get better jobs and supporting small businesses with equipment and staff.
This work reflects strong partnership across state agencies, local workforce boards, and community-based organizations to ensure investments are aligned, results-focused, and reaching those who need them most. Thank you to the Washington State Department of Commerce for highlighting these impacts and the continued investment in community-driven solutions.
WWA is proud to support our 12 Local Workforce Development Boards in advancing this work statewide.
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Disaster Loan Program: Long Term Recovery Help
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Understanding Property Taxes
Property tax is the oldest tax levied in the state of Washington, and it’s also one of the more difficult to understand. Property taxes are essential for funding local services such as fire protection, libraries, parks and recreation, and public schools. Watch our Understanding Property Tax video and learn the basics of property tax.
Click the button below to explore property tax resources on our website.
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Three Statewide and Three County-Level Employment Reports Out This Month
With the delayed release of employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we will post three monthly employment reports and three county employment data news releases this month. Go to the Employment Security website to find:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the updated data as we share it.
Release dates:
- January Monthly Employment Report: April 1.
- January county employment data: April 7
- February Monthly Employment Report: April 15
- February county employment data: April 21
- March Monthly Employment Report: April 29
- March county employment data: May 5
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Upcoming DCS Webinars: Employer’s Role in Child Support
Every month, DCS offers a one-hour webinar for employers to share resources, tools, and best practices to help you navigate your federal and state child support requirements.
You're welcome to join any upcoming live, interactive webinar on the first Thursday of the month from 10-11am PST. Bring your questions and learn about topics such as reporting new hires, withholding wages, payment options, and more.
We look forward to seeing you - Sign Up Here.
Employers: Sign-Up for DCS News & Updates
The Employer Relations Team at DSHS’s Division of Child Support (DCS) publishes a quarterly newsletter for employers, covering updates on child support withholding, New Hire Reporting, and other relevant topics. Sign up to stay informed about legislative changes, resources, and training opportunities. Sign up here.
Free Electronic Options for Sending in Child Support Payments
RCW 26.23.065 requires employers to send payments to the Division of Child Support electronically. It is easy to do and saves money by reducing paperwork, handling costs, and bank charges.
Our staff can help you choose and set up the best option for your business, including the use of the DCS online - a free service accessible via Secure Access Washington (SAW).
For more information or help setting up DCS online, contact our Employer Relations Team at 800-562-0479, or email dcs-ert@dshs.wa.gov. If you’d like help with ACH options or related formatting, please contact our Electronic Funds Transfer unit at 800-468-7422.
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Small Business Resources & Requirements (SBRR)
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The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a partnership of 29 state agencies working to improve access to regulatory information, education, and agency resources for business communities across the state of Washington.
The Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) free workshops provide vital information on regulatory requirements, state permits, business structures, employee hiring and retention, and available resources to help businesses grow and thrive.
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Plan, Start, & Grow Your Business - In Person Workshops
These in-person workshops are specially designed for small business owners seeking a clear understanding of available program resources and the relevant state regulations that can impact their business. Whether you're launching a new venture or looking to scale your existing business, this session offers valuable insights tailored to your needs.
WALLA WALLA
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When: Monday, April 20, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. (light dinner at 4:30)
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Where: Walla Walla Center for Children & Families, 1150 Chestnut St.
- Register
KENNEWICK
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When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 5:00 (light dinner at 4:30 p.m.)
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Where: Worksource Columbia Basin, 815 N. Kellogg St.
- Register
Click the button below to visit our website and explore more!
The Small Business Guide
The Small Business Guide is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business. Whether you’re launching a new business, managing an existing one, or looking to expand, you’ll discover valuable information and resources here.
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Available in the following languages:
English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Samoan, Somali, and Tagalog, Ukrainian, NEW Farsi, and two volumes in Braille Ready Format Braille - Volume 1 and Braille - Volume 2.
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If you opt in through your online account, the IRS will notify you by email of the latest updates on your refund status. Visit www.irs.gov/account.
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Training & Education
Click the buttons below to explore event calendars, find workshops and webinars, access on-demand training and view upcoming opportunities.
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