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Get Certified With PRIDE!
Washington’s new LGBTQ Certification program is LIVE—and open for business.
The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), in partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, is proud to announce the launch of its newest certification category: LGBTQ Business Enterprises. This important milestone expands Washington’s commitment to inclusion by formally recognizing businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
This certification is the direct result of years of advocacy, leadership, and collaboration from the Washington State LGBTQ Commission. Without their vision and tenacity, LGBTQ+ owned businesses would not be recognized by Washington State. Now, thanks to this partnership, the LGBTQBE program allows state agencies and institutions to broaden their supplier networks, support historically underrecognized business owners, and help Washington’s economy reflect the diversity of its people.
Get certified for FREE as an LGBTQBE in our State Certification program! Businesses may be eligible for multiple state certifications. Visit our website for details.
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Learn how Surety Bonds can benefit your business
Gain insights into steps for becoming bondable or enhance bonding capabilities, increase competitiveness, and access new business opportunities in the transportation sector
During this FREE 3-Day program (1-hour virtual kick off and 2 days of instruction) you will:
- Engage in training workshops led by industry experts
- Receive tailored assistance to increase bonding capacity
- Learn about upcoming IBR infrastructure and procurement opportunities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon & Washington, including the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program
Virtual Kick Off Meeting: July 15, 2025 | 5:30PM - 6:30PM PST
Day 1: Hybrid Workshop July 22, 2025 | 10AM - 4PM PST
Day 2: Hybrid Workshop July 23, 2025 | 10AM - 2PM PST
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BizConnect Series - Power Your Profits: ENERGY SAVINGS
Discover how Pacific Power’s Wattsmart program helps businesses:
- Cut energy costs with cash incentives for upgrades
- Improve efficiency in lighting, HVAC, refrigeration and more
- Access financing for energy-saving projects
Date: July 16, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: 2520 W Washington Ave Suite 1, Yakima WA 98903
Virtual option with previous registration
Questions? Contact Lara Cantero at Lara.Cantero@omwbe.wa.gov
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Serie Conexión Empresarial - Impulse sus ganancias: AHORRO DE ENERGÍA
Descubra cómo el programa Wattsmart de Pacific Power ayuda a los pequeños negocios:
- Reduzca los costos de energía con incentivos en efectivo para actualizaciones
- Mejore la eficiencia en iluminación, HVAC, refrigeración y más
- Acceder a financiamiento para proyectos de ahorro de energía
Fecha: 16 de julio de 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ubicación: 2520 W Washington Ave Suite 1, Yakima WA 98903
Opción virtual con inscripción previa
¿Preguntas? Contacta a Lara Cantero en Lara.Cantero@omwbe.wa.gov
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This series is an on-going effort to address access to capital for small businesses. Explore the areas small business lenders evaluate to make loan decisions. In Session 2, we will cover how lending decisions are made.
Why should you attend?
- Learn about the five Cs of financing.
- Learn where lenders typically can and cannot be flexible.
- Learn about the documents most lenders need to make loan decisions.
Join us from 10-11:30 a.m. on July 29th to participate. For more information, contact LDP@omwbe.wa.gov.
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Join us for the 2025 Regional Contracting Forum on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Muckleshoot Events Center.
Introduce your business to prime contractors, prime consultants and the region's largest government entities:
- City of Seattle
- King County
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Port of Tacoma,
- Washington State Office of Minorities and Women's Business Enterprises
- Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
- Sound Transit
- Port of Seattle
- City of Bellevue
- City of Tacoma
- Department of Social and Health Services
- Department of Corrections, and more.
Attendees have the opportunity to meet government contracting representatives and network with contractors, consultants, and suppliers all at one event.
Who Should Attend?
Businesses interested in selling products and services, consultants, and contractors. Small, Minority, Women, Disadvantaged, and Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to attend.
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Biz Fair is a free, annual event for current and aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about the programs, resources, and technical assistance available to help start and grow a small business. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about valuable, no-cost, small business resources in the Exhibitor Hall and attend educational seminars led by industry experts on a variety of topics including business planning, regulatory guidance, funding opportunities, and business management skills.
For details and registration please visit www.bizfair.wa.gov
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Are you interested in helping shape public policy and driving change to ensure Washington is a place where women are healthy, safe, and empowered with the tools they need to thrive?
The Washington State Women’s Commission (WSWC) is looking for leaders and organizers who deeply understand the challenges women their communities face. As a Commissioner, you’ll serve as a connector, collaborator, and advocate for a State Government that is rooted in the lived experience of Washington women.
Applicants must be 18 years or older, identify as women, and live in Washington State.
To ensure equitable representation, WSWC especially encourages applications from individuals with the following identities/lived experience:
- Live in Central or Eastern Washington
- Over the age of 30 or 65+
- Identify as Native American
- Identify as a person with a disability
✅ Apply now to be considered for our next opening in July! Applications are accepted year-round. Application for a board or commission
Learn More:
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OMWBE is seeking public input about the Linked Deposit program.
The Linked Deposit program was established in 1993 to create access to capital for minority- and women-owned businesses. The program allows business owners to reduce interest rates on business loans, with the goal of stimulating economic development and job creation within underserved areas of the state. Over time, the $175 million fund has allowed hundreds of state-certified businesses to save money on business loans and build relationships with participating lenders. After 20 years of operation, it is time to review the program and gather feedback to see if any changes should be made.
We are asking for a few moments of your time to provide us with valuable feedback. In this survey, we will ask about your experience with the program, suggestions, and concerns. What we do not know, we cannot address. Our goal is to ensure the program serves our state certified businesses now and in the future.
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OMWBE recently published our annual report for FY 2024. You can view this report on our website, which includes information tracking the growth and demographic makeup of our Certified Business Directory, statewide supplier diversity spending, and for the first time ever—a comprehensive look at the progress individual state agencies made towards their FY 2024 Business Diversity Spending Goals.
Supplier Diversity Highlights:
- Established Business Diversity Spending Goals for state agencies.
- Washington State spent $308,203,351 with OMWBE Certified Businesses, representing 3.76% of eligible state spending, up 0.55% from FY 2023.
- State Agencies achieved 5.20% certified business utilization.
- Institutions of higher education achieved 1.20% utilization.
Certification Highlights:
- Waived certification fees eliminating costs to small and diverse businesses.
- Launched Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) State Certification.
- 3,986 businesses were certified with OMWBE at the end of FY 2024.
- 3,390 businesses held OMWBE State Certification, and 1,598 businesses held OMWBE Federal Certification. Businesses can be dual-certified.
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With a heavy heart, we are sharing the news of Vicky Schiantarelli’s passing.
Vicky was a long-standing member of the OMWBE Advisory Committee, a certified business owner, community builder, and former employee of OMWBE. Throughout her life, Vicky was a resolute advocate for minority and women-owned businesses, and helped many advance on the path to success.
Since 1979, Vicky dedicated herself to various nonprofit and government boards and commissions, serving her Latino community, Seattle’s Central Area neighborhood, and the W/M/D/VBE business community.
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She was an incorporator and founding board member of the Northwest Minority Builders Alliance and the Principal/Owner of Schiantarelli & Associates, a certified MWBE/DBE/SCS management consulting firm re-established in January 2019.
With 42 years of experience in accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity, Vicky made significant contributions in both the construction industry and public sector, particularly within Washington State and the City of Seattle. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards recognizing her as an inclusion professional and leader, including:
- 2021 AGC Associate Member of the Year Award for DEI Policy and Advocacy Work
- 2021 Black Coalition of Contractors and Professionals Appreciation Award for Mentoring and Coaching
- 2020 National Association of Minority Contractors WA Chapter Diversity and Inclusion Award
- 2018 Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council Lifetime Achievement Award for 35 years of service to MSVWBE/DBE communities
- 2018 MSVWBE/DBE Inclusion Instructor for the Procurement and Project Management Professional Continuing Education Certificate Program, Pacific Northwest Section, American Water Works Association
- 2016, 2013 & 2007 Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council Champion of the Year Awards
Her legacy will continue to inspire us all for many generations to come.
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New Certifications
82 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in June! 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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