|
 |
|
OMWBE announced at our 40th Anniversary Community Engagement event that we will be waiving certification fees through June 2024! We are so excited to invite small businesses throughout the state of Washington to get certified for FREE!
Renewal fees have also been waived, for businesses that are already certified. While we obtained funding to waive certification fees for the next 9 months, we are pursuing sustainable solutions to eliminate certification fees long-term.
|
|
Thank you to all the certified businesses, partner organizations, and agencies who attended our celebration at the Heritage Room in Olympia, WA! We look forward to many more years of helping small businesses thrive!
Begin your certification process at omwbe.wa.gov
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) Contracts Connection newsletter provides news about statewide contracts for goods and services, which are available to state agencies and other organizations that have signed a contract usage agreement. Check out this list of upcoming solicitations and sign up for the Contracts Connection newsletter to subscribe to regular updates.
New Solicitations from DES:
|
|
|
COVID Impacts Recovery grants offer small, one-time grants to Washington businesses in the arts, heritage, and science sectors to provide funding for recovery from pandemic economic impacts. For-profit and non-profit businesses are eligible.
Examples of eligible businesses:
-
Arts: Performing Arts Company (Theatre, Dance, Music, etc.), Live Entertainment Venue, Art Gallery, Independent Artist, Writer, or Performer
-
Heritage: Museum, Historical or Cultural Organization
-
Science: Environment, Conservation or Wildlife Organization
Grant funding is limited to $5,000 per application. This is based on our goal of providing meaningful funding impact with a limited funding pool.
Application Open: Monday, September 25, 2023
Application Deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 5 p.m. (PST)
|
|
Construction Inclusion Week Supplier Diversity Day, organized by general contractors, is the inaugural event for small, women, and minority-owned businesses. The event features an informative panel discussion, offers access to project and networking opportunities, and aims to raise awareness about diversity and inclusion in the construction industry by providing content and resources.
When: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 2:00PM - 6:00PM
Where: Northwest African American Museum | 2300 S. Massachusetts Street, Seattle, WA 98144.
Please register at the link below, as space is limited.
|
|
North Puget Sound Contracting Conference
The North Puget Sound Contracting Conference (NPSCC) brings together businesses and government agencies to facilitate and streamline the procurement process.
The NPSCC serves as a platform for businesses interested in securing contracts with government entities at various levels, including federal, state, and local governments.
The event will also feature panel discussions covering topics from business management to design and consulting services, certifications and more.
When: October 26, 2023 | 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Where: Angel of the Winds Arena
|
|
|
Would you like to do business with the government? There are several opportunities for businesses to sell goods and services to local, state, and federal government agencies. Congressman Adam Smith invites you to attend his Government Procurement Workshop to learn contracting opportunities and meet with government agencies.
During the event, government agencies will provide updates on contracting opportunities. Attendees will also have the chance to network with government agencies during a tabling session at which time the agencies will distribute resources for business owners.
When: Friday, October 27 | 9:30am – 2pm
Where: Green River College, Kent Campus
|
|
City of Seattle Reverse Vendor Trade Show
The Reverse Vendor Trade Show is an annual event hosted by the City of Seattle to allow vendors the opportunity to introduce themselves to a variety of City department representatives. Vendors can learn about upcoming solicitations, procurement opportunities and sustainable purchasing while networking with other local vendors. Women-owned and minority-owned businesses are especially encouraged to attend this in-person event.
When: Wednesday, November 1 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Fisher Pavilion | 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109
|
|
|
Tyrone comes to OMWBE from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board where he was a Licensing Specialist Senior working in the Cannabis Social Equity Program. He recently served as Co-Chair and then Chair of the Washington State Business Resource Group, BUILD (Blacks United in Leadership & Diversity) and now serves in the Past Chair role of BUILD’s Executive Leadership, continuing the mission of improving the experience of Black state employees, increasing representation in leadership positions, and giving voice to the Black perspective.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Architecture where he focused on Afrocentric Architecture, and has designed many residential homes and neighborhood developments, including one of his proudest work projects, the Seattle Housing Authority High Point Redevelopment Community.
Tyrone spent his childhood years growing up in Harlem, New York and Buffalo Grove, Illinois where he watched his parents open a small business and witnessed the challenges they experienced. After attending college in Minnesota, he now resides in Olympia and is proud to call all of these places home.
In his free time, he enjoys participating in community events, communicating with family and friends, cooking, music and dancing, and spending time outdoors. He also likes to play and watch sports. Tyrone thrives in a team environment and likes real talk and meaningful conversation. He has a passion for life, people and family, building community, and making a difference by giving back and uplifting others.
|
|
|
Denelle Baker is OMWBE’s new Customer Relations Manager. She brings a variety of experience to the position, spending the last five years as a Certification Analyst after joining the agency almost seven years ago for a position in public records. Before OMWBE she worked at the Department of Licensing in many roles over the years and is currently on her 25th year working in Washington State Government. She cares deeply for people and relates OMWBE’s work and programs directly to improving the lives of individuals and their families, which is why she enjoys her career here.
Denelle is a Washington native and outside of work she likes many outdoor activities including stand-up paddle board, hiking, and is planning on running her first half marathon in spring 2024. She is also a foodie and enjoys trying new restaurants and dishes.
|
|
|
Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated October 9th to honor, recognize, and celebrate the lives of Indigenous people. While the Joe Biden administration has officially recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day since 2021, it is not yet a federal holiday.
There has been some effort to formally designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday. The Indigenous Peoples' Day Act, reintroduced in Congress on October 2, 2023, would designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day nationwide. The bill currently has 56 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 11 cosponsors in the Senate.
A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples' Day 2023 from the White House
Daybreak Star Radio is hosting a celebration at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle, WA on October 9, 2023 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Indigenous Peoples' Day » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star
|
|
New Certifications
52 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in September! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
|
|
|
|
|
