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Small Business Flex Fund 2
Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access affordable loans they need to thrive.
Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $250,000 and the money can be spent flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.
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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Department of Enterprise Services (DES) wants your help to improve the state's direct buy policy.
DES is reviewing the state’s Direct Buy Purchasing Policy, which allows state agencies to buy goods and services under a certain dollar amount directly from vendors without conducting a competitive solicitation. In 2020, DES increased the spending limit for direct buys to $30,000, or $40,000 if the purchase is from a Washington state small or veteran-owned business. All businesses certified with OMWBE are considered small businesses.
DES wants to hear from vendors about how the policy is working to encourage direct buy purchases from Washington small and veteran-owned businesses. This review is focused on needed revisions, updates, and clarity.
Please take this short survey by Sept. 19 to help DES identify ways they can remove barriers for small and certified veteran-owned businesses in Washington. The survey is five questions and should take you less than 10 minutes to complete.
Cut-off for comment extended to September 30, 2024
In support of a stronger, more diverse registered apprenticeship system, we need to hear from small, women-, minority-, and/or veteran-owned business, who are also public works contractors. Sponsored by the Department of Labor and Industries in partnership with the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise.
Tell us about:
- Challenges to meeting apprentice utilization
- Barriers to the system of apprenticeship
- Issues about the pathways you use to access apprenticeship
Represent views of your industry, trade and company
- Raise issues that need to be heard
- Help improve registered apprenticeship
- Support a skilled and reliable workforce
Be heard by those in a position to help—input will be summarized in a report to:
- Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, Office of Financial Management
- House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee
- House Capital Budget and Local Government Committees
- Senate State Government and Elections Committee
- Senate Local Government, Land Use and Tribal Affairs Committee
How can you participate?
- Participate or sponsor a virtual listening session: contact burrell@lni.wa.gov
- Respond to the survey below!
Small business owners, take 12 minutes to describe your past year.
The Federal Reserve’s 2024 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is a partner on this effort. Owners and key financial decisionmakers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours.
The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential.
The survey closes November 1, 2024. Questions? Contact Hal Martin at hal.martin@clev.frb.org.
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BizFair is THE event that all current and aspiring small business owners should attend! This year will be the 28th annual BizFair, the longest running all government and nonprofit-run small business fair in Washington state. BizFair is free to attend and open to everyone.
Learn about valuable small business resources in the Exhibitor Resource Hall and attend educational seminars led by industry experts on a variety of topics including businessplanning, regulatory guidance, funding opportunities, and business management skills
This year there will be 3 individual events:
Spokane
When: Saturday September 14, 2024
Where: The Hive (Spokane Public Library venue)
Puyallup
When: Saturday September 21, 2024
Where: Pierce College
Tri-Cities: En Español
Cuándo: Sábado, 5 de octubre, 2024
Dónde: Columbia Basin College
For details and registration please visit www.bizfair.wa.gov
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Would a mentor help you learn the skills to improve your business? OMWBE has an upcoming mentorship program. For more details and updates email us at MentorshipProgram@omwbe.wa.gov.
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Business Forum Expo 2024
Join the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce (WAACOC) for the annual "Partnering for Growth" Business Forum & Brunch at the Three Rivers Convention Center! Enjoy a day of organic networking, a keynote presentation from the Washington State Treasurer, Mike Pellicciotti, a panel of financial experts, and industry leaders. Discover new grant and funding opportunities and have a delicious brunch. Don't forget to explore local businesses and resources at the onsite Expo. This annual event is a rare opportunity to grow your business and make valuable connections.
When: Saturday, October 19 | 9AM - 2PM
Where: Three Rivers Convention Center | 7016 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA
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Looking for help with small business certifications in Washington State? This in-person workshop provides a comprehensive review of certifications including:
- All types of certification programs available for Washington State contracting
- How to assess which one(s) is right for your business
- The certification process
- How to use certifications to add value in pursuit of government contracts
You will also hear from prime contractors about their interest in and perspective on working with certified firms.
Workshop Bonus!
Attendees preparing to apply for certification or who need help troubleshooting their current application should bring their laptop to this event. Analysts from the Office of Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (OMWBE) will be available to troubleshoot problems with existing applications as well as answer questions about how and what to prepare before starting an application.
Big Thanks to Event Partners and Presenters
- Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises
- AGC of Washington
- Washington APEX Accelerator at Economic Alliance Snohomish County
- BNBuilders
- Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc.
- Korsmo Construction
Lunch will be provided thanks to the generosity of AGC of WA
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King County Procurement and Payables released the highly-anticipated Harborview Bond Program new tower request for qualifications (RFQ) in early September 2024. The shortlisted firms will receive the request for proposal in January 2025.
Small firms are encouraged to connect with large firms at and beyond Bond outreach events. Subscribe to the Bond newsletter at HarborviewBondProgram.com/Subscribe to learn about Bond outreach events.
View the RFQ
- Visit the King County Solicitation Abstracts website
- In the search field, type “Harborview”
- Look for solicitation number “KC001222”
- Click on the Details icon to download the RFQ
For RFQ-specific questions, contact Stefanie LaFave at SLaFave@KingCounty.gov and Regina Sparano at RSparano@KingCounty.gov. General questions about the Harborview Bond Program can be emailed to HarborviewBondProject@KingCounty.gov.
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South Sound Entrepreneurship Week is a five-day celebration of the South Sound's vibrant entrepreneurial spirit happening October 21st - 25th.
Led by local entrepreneurs and fueled by our area's unique startup ecosystem, this event is your gateway to discovering the region's innovative heartbeat.
Experience the South Sound's entrepreneurial energy through a dynamic lineup of meetups, thought-provoking lectures, engaging panel discussions, and joyful celebrations. Dive into the heart of our startup scene, where ideas flourish, connections spark, and dreams take flight. Join us as we showcase the region's boundless potential and foster the next generation of visionary startups.
Sign up to learn when registration opens!
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New Certifications
140 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in August! 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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