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Where Trust Meets Investment: Community-Led Grants Launch in King County
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) in partnership with Tabor 100 and the Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (SLMCC) is offering small business grants in King County.
These two organizations will distribute a combined $400,000 in grants and resources to small businesses across King County.
These business grants, shaped by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Program (CRP), are designed to increase equity in economic opportunity by supporting businesses owned by individuals from historically underserved communities, particularly Black, Native American, Latine, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Grants may be awarded to support training, inventory, marketing, licensing, equipment purchases, basic operations or other business needs necessary for start-up, recovery or business growth and supports a business's ability to recruit, retain or advance their workforce.
There are 3 grant tier options that a business or individual can choose to apply for. Applicants should select the grant tier that best fits their business as it is today (selection guidance is provided in the application).
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Tier 1 - START UP - $3,500 Award Amount
Supports self-employment opportunities, capacity building to become an employer and increased income stability for the business owner.
- Tier 2 - RECOVERY - $6,500 Award Amount
Supports businesses recovering from disruptions or seeking stabilization to sustain operations, retain employees and improve job quality.
- Tier 3 - GROWTH - $10,000 Award Amount
Supports established businesses in creating new jobs and talent pipelines, increasing wages for employees, and supporting advancement and training pathways for workers.
Applications are due by Monday, April 6, 2026, by 5:00pm PST
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Road Ready: Trucking Compliance & Success Series
This series features guest experts from the Washington APEX Accelerator, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), and the Washington State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Division (WSP). Participants hear directly from these agencies about government contracting opportunities, licensing and regulatory requirements, and safety and compliance expectations.
Designed for working professionals, Road Ready provides straightforward guidance, reduces confusion, and helps trucking businesses operate responsibly and prepare for long-term success.
Virtual: March 16-19, 2026 | 4PM – 5PM
In-Person: March 23-26 | 4PM – 5PM
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En regla y en marcha es una serie educativa práctica para operadores independientes, pequeñas empresas de transporte y personas interesadas en iniciar un negocio de transporte, que buscan información clara y confiable directamente de las agencias que regulan y apoyan a la industria.
La serie cuenta con la participación de especialistas de Washington APEX Accelerator, la Comisión de Servicios Públicos y Transporte de Washington (UTC) y la División de Vehículos Comerciales de la Patrulla Estatal de Washington (WSP). Las y los participantes recibirán información directa sobre oportunidades de contratación gubernamental, requisitos de licencias y regulaciones, así como normas de seguridad y cumplimiento.
Diseñada para profesionales en activo, en regla y en marcha ofrece orientación clara, reduce la confusión y ayuda a los negocios de transporte a operar de manera responsable y a prepararse para el éxito a largo plazo.
Virtual: 16-19 de marzo | 6PM – 7PM
En persona: 23-26 de marzo | 6PM – 7PM
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For four decades, Alliance Northwest has helped thousands of small businesses connect with government agencies, prime contractors, and resource partners. It’s where new opportunities begin; contracts take shape, and relationships grow that strengthen the entire region.
Why Attend?
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Connect directly with government agencies and prime contractors through 1:1 matchmaking
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Learn from experts in workshops covering cybersecurity, innovation, and defense contracting
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Explore opportunities in the bustling exhibit hall featuring agencies, primes, and small businesses
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Celebrate 40 years of partnership at our special Anniversary Reception on March 25
OMWBE certified businesses are eligible for a 50% discount!
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On the third Thursday of the month, the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) facilitates an interactive conversation with state procurement professionals who can provide information and insight on how to do business with the state.
Join us for this virtual event where we will discuss a variety of topics, including:
- Introduction to state contracting
- How to find upcoming contracting opportunities
- Where to get technical assistance
- Where to find additional training
And, of course, provide time and opportunity for questions and answers.
Who: Small, Diverse, and Veteran-Owned Businesses
Where: This will be a live event hosted on Microsoft Teams.
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The 2026 World Cup is coming — is your business ready to capitalize on it?
Thurston EDC, in partnership with the Thurston County Chamber, Experience Olympia & Beyond, and the Cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm, invites you to attend their World Cup Business Info Event.
When: Wednesday, March 18 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM
Where: SPSCC Event Center - Lacey Campus | 4220 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA
What You’ll Learn:
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World Cup Fan Zones – What to expect locally and how your business can participate
- FIFA Rules & Regulations – What you can and cannot do when hosting events or promotions
- Marketing & Tourism Opportunities – How to attract visitors and leverage regional campaigns (Experience Olympia & Beyond)
- City Permitting Breakouts – Direct guidance from Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm on event permits and compliance
- Q&A Session – Get your specific questions answered
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World Cup Business Playbook – Take-home resource to guide your planning
Whether you operate a restaurant, bar, retail store, event venue, or hospitality business, this event will help you navigate compliance requirements while maximizing customer engagement and revenue potential.
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Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington is offering multiple FREE workshops and seminars on professional development focusing on capacity building, such as proprosal development, construction skills, or technologies that drive efficiencies.
Entrepreneurial Institute of Washington (EIW) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization founded to provide individuals and small businesses with professional and leadership development, business support services and technical assistance.
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Tabor 100 is offering FREE assistance for DBE/ACDBE re-evaluation applications, including Personal Narrative of social disadvantage and Personal Net Worth statements.
USDOT recently issued an interim final rule (IFR) that went into effect on Oct. 3, 2025. The full text of the IFR is available in the Federal Register. This rule change removes race- and gender-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage in the federal DBE and ACDBE programs.
Fill out the following form to get in touch with one of Tabor 100's coordinators or reach out to TechnicalAssistance@Tabor100.org | (206) 368-4042.
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We are receiving an increase in reports from customers about phishing scams targeting certified businesses. The senders are typically impersonating OMWBE.
While we may send you reminders about your certification status, we will never ask you to send us confidential information by email. All documents required for certification may be submitted directly through our secure Certification Portal.
If you have questions about whether a message from OMWBE is legitimate, do not hesitate to contact us directly. We recommend marking suspicious messages as spam in your email client or deleting the emails from your inbox.
If you accidentally clicked on a phishing link, follow these steps immediately:
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Disconnect from the Internet: Turn off Wi-Fi or disconnect from your network to prevent further access.
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Do Not Enter Any Information: If the phishing page prompts you for personal information, do not type anything.
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Close the Suspicious Page: Shut down the phishing website or application without interacting further.
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Run a Malware Scan: Use antivirus software to scan your device for any potential malware.
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Change Your Passwords: If you entered any sensitive information, change your passwords immediately.
Questions or concerns? Contact the OMWBE Team.
Email: technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 664-9750
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Dear Business Community,
The 2026 Legislative Session was January 12, 2026, to March 12, 2026. OMWBE tracked the following bills related to small diverse businesses:
HB 2684 - Business enterprise certification - H Rules R - Farivar
Establishing guidelines for what constitutes a socially disadvantaged individual for the purpose of business enterprise state certification.
SSB 5176 - Prompt pay/capital projects - S Ways & Means - Valdez
Implementing prompt pay recommendations from the capital projects advisory review board.
SSB 6302 - Public works/finishing trade - S 2nd Reading - Conway
Concerning misclassification in the finishing trades on public works projects.
ESSB 6346 - Tax on millionaires - H Finance - Pedersen
Establishing a tax on millionaires.
Sharon Harvey Hughes - Legislative Affairs and Policy Director, Tribal Liaison
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Tennille Johnson is moving from the Deputy Director role to serve as Acting Director of the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, following the departure of Director Lekha Fernandes.
Since joining OMWBE in January 2024, Tennille has served in an executive leadership role, most recently as the agency's Deputy Director. With a background in many different industries including healthcare, retail and sales, banking and taxes, landscape and design, business start-ups, and more—Tennille found her passion in workforce development, working with marginalized communities with a focus on re-entry. Tennille is intentional about continuous self-growth, equity, and developing dynamic teams.
We appreciate the dedication and leadership Lekha has shown over the last three and a half years, and her commitment to supporting our small and diverse business communities across Washington State.
Tennille will serve as Acting Director while the Governor's Office initiates the process to select our next permanent Director. In the meantime, we are committed to supporting YOU and your business on the pathway to success.
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New Certifications
121 businesses obtained OMWBE certification in February! 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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