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Business Resources
This newsletter is moving to the 2nd Thursday of each month.
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Register for OMWBE Academy!
We are always looking for new ways to help small businesses grow. This free training platform is available exclusively to OMWBE certified businesses.
OMWBE Academy provides free, on demand training to certified businesses in several topic areas. All courses are available in English and Spanish.
Course Offerings:
- Are you ready to contract with the government?
- Where do you find the work?
- Marketing for Public Works
- Preparing for Bid
- Submitting your Bid
- Achieving Long-Term Success in Public Works Contracting
OMWBE Academy is FREE for certified businesses! This platform is supported by Thurston Economic Development Center (Thurston EDC) and the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB).
For questions and assistance, please email office@thurstonedc.com or info@wcwb.org, or call the Business Resource Hotline at 1-888-821-6652.
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Did you know you can opt-in for OMWBE's new Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) Certification? We streamlined this process to make it simple for certified businesses to apply. It only takes a few short steps and a brief processing time to increase your access to public works contracts.
Opt-in for FREE if you have State or Federal Certifications with OMWBE. The opt-in option may not apply for out of state businesses that are only DBE interstate certified with OMWBE. In this case, a new PWSBE application may be required. If you need help, please email technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov
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New funding opportunities are opening up for small businesses! Local Workforce Boards are partnering with the Department of Commerce and the Employment Security Department (ESD) to create micro-grants of up to $10,000 – $15,000.
Small businesses are eligible to apply, with funding prioritized for Black, Latine, and Indigenous-owned businesses to address systemic barriers and promote diversity.
Excited to learn how you can benefit from these programs? Contact your local workforce development board for more information. Grant funding and program details may differ by region, and high demand is expected.
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The Department of Commerce's Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) is offering a new grant. The Community Healer Grant supports healing services and activities that are by-and-for communities disproportionally harmed by the war on drugs in Washington. This grant can fund programs that offer intergenerational healing, burnout prevention, traditional healing practices, and much more.
Funding will prioritize the following communities, as aligned with the goals in the Community Reinvestment Plan:
- Black communities
- Latine communities
- Tribal nations
- Tribal communities
- Urban Indian communities
Total funding for this grant is $5.7 million, and organizations can apply for up to $500,000 depending on their annual budget.
Proposals are due by July 13, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
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Certification Workshop for Small Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Unlock the potential of your minority or women-owned business with our comprehensive workshop on OMWBE Certification! This event is designed to guide you through the certification process, opening doors to lucrative government contracts and other business opportunities.
Join OMWBE and AHAHA to learn:
- The benefits of certification for minority and women-owned businesses.
- Step-by-step guidance on the certification process
- Resources and support available to certified businesses.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your business’s potential and connect with a network of supportive professionals.
Empower your business with the right certification. Register today!
When: June 25 | 3PM - 5PM
Where: 327 E Pacific Ave, Spokane, WA 99202
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Level up your business with this workshop that cracks the code on cultural agility, your secret weapon for thriving in today's diverse marketplace. Unlock hidden opportunities and supercharge your success by navigating different cultural landscapes with confidence.
This virtual workshop is part of a comprehensive series of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) courses designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a diverse world.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Monocultural and Multicultural Perspectives
- Intent vs. Impact
- Power Over vs. Power With
- Implicit and Explicit Assumed Expectations
- Develop Strategies in Diverse Business Settings
Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your business presented to you in partnership with OMWBE and 828 Consulting.
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Throughout the 2024 Legislative Session OMWBE reviewed hundreds of bills for impact on our certified businesses. Our team met with 46 legislators, attended small business roundtables weekly, presented twice during Committee Days, testified once for prompt payment public policy (Senate Bill 6040), and participated in a variety of Legislative events.
Please visit our website to view the bills that we tracked and the funding OMWBE received from the Legislature in 2024.
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New Certifications
126 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in May! We share these monthly lists of newly certified firms with our contract and procurement contacts at State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education.
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