Economic and business Resilience Newsletter




Washington state Biz Fair 2023 [ [link removed] ]
Biz Fair is FREE to Attend and Open to Everyone!

Biz Fair is THE event that all current and aspiring small business owners should attend! This year will be the 27th annual Biz Fair, the longest running all government and nonprofit-run small business fair in Washington State. 

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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Dept. of Revenue (DOR)

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*Revenue's **Bothell Office **is Moving!*

The Bothell office will be closed Sept. 14th & 15th.  The* new location [ [link removed] ] *will reopen on* Sept. 18th.*

Disaster Relief for Taxpayers

Revenue will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their taxes on time due to a natural disaster. 

When a state of emergency or disaster has been officially declared, affected businesses that owe Washington taxes may qualify for the following assistance.

Businesses can request an extension, or penalty waiver, and  support assistance by sending a secure email in their My DOR account or by contacting Taxpayer Services.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Corporations and Charities Division Secretary of State Logo [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Updates & Changes Coming Soon

The Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) will be updated in October. During this update the system will be unavailable.

Certificates and Notifications will look slightly different after the update. They will also be available to view and verify for authenticity under entity filing history in CCFS.




*Visit*

*Corporations & Charities Division at sos.wa.gov [ [link removed] ] for updates.*

 

**Questions?**

*Contact*

****Customer Relations Team [ [link removed] ]****

 

Fee Increase Effective Oct. 1st, 2023

The following fees will be increasing on the first of October:


* Expedite Fees will be* $100*
* Same Day Service Fees will be* $150*
* For-Profit Annual Report Fees will be* $70* 
* Delinquent For-Profit Annual Reports will be *$95*
* For a complete fee schedule, click here [ [link removed] ].





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Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I)

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WA Labor & Industries Logo [ [link removed] ]




*You can now view every webpage of Lni.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]in Spanish or English*

It’s easier than ever to do online business in Spanish with L&I.

Simply go to the upper left corner and click on Spanish or English to change the language.

The pages look and work the same in both languages.

In addition, new alert notifications easily identify any links, files, and tools not in Spanish and provide other options.

With more than 650 pages of information now in Spanish, L&I’s Spanish web content is more comprehensive, better organized, and easier to navigate.

For example, you can now easily find information in Spanish on how to file an employer’s report of accident or how to file quarterly reports.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]




*Ahora puede ver todas las páginas web de lni.wa.gov [ [link removed] ] en español o en inglés*

Es más fácil que nunca hacer negocios en línea en español con L&I. Simplemente seleccione “Español” o “English” en la parte superior izquierda de cada página para cambiar el idioma.

Las páginas se ven y funcionan igual en ambos idiomas. Además, las nuevas notificaciones de alerta facilitan la identificación de enlaces, archivos y herramientas que no están en español y ofrecen otras opciones.

Con más de 650 páginas de información ahora en español, el contenido web en español de L&I es más completo, está mejor organizado y es más fácil de navegar. Por ejemplo, ahora puede encontrar fácilmente información en español sobre cómo presentar un informe de accidente del empleador o cómo presentar informes trimestrales.

*Aprende Más* [ [link removed] ]






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EV Charging Grants

Driving Change Together

*New Grant Programs for EV Charging from Ecology & Commerce*

The Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program [ [link removed] ] helps fund infrastructure that supports clean transportation in communities across Washington. We're reducing transportation emissions, improving air quality, and ensuring EV charging access for all.

To support the transition of electric vehicles, the state has announced new grants to equitably expand charging infrastructure.


* "Charge Where You Are" grant application period:* Sept. 26 - Nov. 16, 2023*
* "EV Charging" grant application period: *Sept. 6 - Dec. 1, 2023*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


 Oil Spill Equipment Grants

*Grants can be used for Oil Spill Cleanup Tools & Training*

Oil spill equipment grants are open to Washington counties, cities and municipalities, ports, public utility districts, special purpose districts like clean air agencies and fire protection groups, federally recognized Tribal governments, and Washington state agencies. . 

Grants can be used for everything from air monitoring equipment to response boats, equipment trailers, communications devices, and drones; however, they also can be used as training funds for first responders, as well as single-use items like hazmat suits, absorbent pads, and firefighting foam.

Applications are now open until *November 14, 2023*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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Employment Security Dept. (ESD)

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Paid Leave & WA Cares

*How to Prepare for Q3 Reporting Changes*

There’s plenty to know about WA Cares and Paid Leave. ESD is committed to making your experience as easy as possible with helpful info and resources. 

*Upcoming employer-focused webinars:*

"Employer Account Roles & Types of Contacts - "

*Thursday, Sept. 21, 11:00 - Noon - Register Here [ [link removed] ]*

"Updated Reporting Requirements" "Beginning In October - "

*Thursday, Sept. 28, 11 -Noon - Register Here [ [link removed] ]*

Each webinar is limited to 200 participants, so don’t delay in registering!

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


 

*Unemployment Insurance (UI): Act before Sept. 30 to protect your tax rate*

*Protect your tax rate with a deferred payment contract*

Avoid a delinquent tax rate for 2024 by filing all tax reports and paying all current and past-due unemployment taxes, penalties and interest in full by Sept. 30.

*Employers with delinquencies are charged: *


* At least a one percentage point increase in their regular tax rate the first year they’re delinquent. 
* A two-percentage point increase if they’re late a second consecutive year. 
* The maximum shared-cost (social) tax rate. 

*If you can’t pay the balance owed, you can still protect your tax rate by getting a deferred payment contract. Start by emailing Employment Security Department’s Collections unit at [email protected]. *






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Department of Enterprise Services (DES)

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*Now Accepting Bids for Communications and Marketing Services Contract*

*28 Awards Reserved for Small, OMWBE/VA Certified Businesses*

This is the first statewide contract of its kind and a great opportunity for small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to get involved in this important work. Vendors may be awarded in multiple categories. The estimated annual worth of the contract is $10 million.   

*The contract has six categories: *


* Advertising and marketing campaigns 
* Brand development
* Photography
* Social marketing campaigns
* Graphic design
* Video production and editing

*To view the solicitation:* Visit WEBS [ [link removed] ] and search contract 20422.  


* The solicitation includes detailed evaluation criteria, so businesses should carefully review the requirements before submitting a bid.

*Not registered in WEBS?* 


* It's simple and only takes about 10 minutes. You only need your business name, contact information, and Tax ID number. Register in WEBS [ [link removed] ]

Vendors can submit bids for communications and marketing services [ [link removed] ]* in WEBS until Nov. 1st.*

 

WA Regional Contracting Forum 2023 [ [link removed] ]
* Connecting Small Businesses to State Contracting Opportunities*

DES and the City of Tacoma will co-host the 2023 Washington Regional Contracting Forum on *Sept. 20 at the Muckleshoot Tribal Event Center in Auburn, WA.*

This in-person event is an opportunity for small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses to connect with public agencies that buy goods and services, including architecture and engineering services.

*Attendees can look forward to the following:*


* One-on-one sessions to connect vendors with purchasers.
* Engaging classes to enhance understanding of how to do business with the state.
* Informative panels with contracting experts from state agencies.
* Free event but registration is required.

*Register Here* [ [link removed] ]






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Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE)

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Office of Minority and Womens Business Enterprieses - Free Certification [ [link removed] ]

OMWBE is celebrating our 40 years of service this September by waiving certification fees until 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.

*Why Certify?*


* Be visible to prime and general contractors
* Gain access to valuable government contracts
* Network with contractors and government agencies

*Contact OMWBE at 360.664.9750 or [email protected] to start your certification process.*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (ORIA)

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*Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR)*

The Small Business Liaison Team [ [link removed] ] (SBLT) is a partnership between 29 state agencies working together with local economic development partners to support and connect with business owners.

Outreach events are sponsored by the Small Business Liaison Team and hosted by local partners.



Free Small Business Webinars [ [link removed] ]

Explore the free workshops!

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






*Upcoming Workshops (In Person)*
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*Yakima County Development Association [ [link removed] ]*

Wednesday, October 4th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

*Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center [ [link removed] ]*

This event will have American Sign Language interpreters and captioning services provided. Thursday, October 19th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

*Shore [ [link removed] ]**line Chamber Business Expo [ [link removed] ]*

Wednesday, October 25th, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

*Skagit Economic Development Alliance [ [link removed] ]*

Wednesday, October 25th, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

*Upcoming Live Webinars (Via Zoom)*
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*• Start a Business in Washington [ [link removed] ]*

  Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 9:00 - 10:00 am

*Conferencias para negocios* *sobre recursos y servicios para Dueños de Negocios*
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*• Yakima County Development Association  [ [link removed] ]*

  Martes, 3 de Octubre de 2023 

*• *Skagit Economic Development Alliance [ [link removed] ]**

  Jueves, 26 de Octubre de 2023 






Logo Banner SBDC, ORIA, SBA and Homestreet Bank
Learn What All Business Owners Should Know

Come and network with other business owners and stay to learn what all business owners need to know to run a business. Including free services that are available through Washington State, 5 Cs of lending, what is an income state, what is a Profit and Loss statement, and different type of SBA loan products.


* *Where*:  HomeStreet Bank, 7307 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
* *When:*  Wednesday, September 27th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
* Register Here [ [link removed] ]

 

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Training, Events & Calendars

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*Dept. of Enterprise Services [ [link removed] ]*

* [ [link removed] ]Dept. of Labor & Industries [ [link removed] ]*

*Dept. of Revenue [ [link removed] ]*

*Office of Minority's & Women's Business Enterprises [ [link removed] ]*

*Center for Women in Business [ [link removed] ]*

*SCORE [ [link removed] ]*

*SBA Seattle District Wednesday Webinars [ [link removed] ]*

*Small Business Development Center [ [link removed] ]*

 

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Tips & Reminders

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SBA Dedicates $20 Million to New Small Business Export Growth

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the SBA, announced $20 million in grant funding  awarded to 49 state and territory international trade agencies across the country as part of the SBA's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) [ [link removed] ].

In Washington state, STEP grant funds were awarded to the Washington State Department of Commerce, the largest award of any state this year.

Small businesses interested in applying for grant funds may learn more about eligibility through Commerce.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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Newsletter Team

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*This newsletter is a collaborative effort by the following state agencies:*

The Governor’s Office [ [link removed] ]

Department of Commerce [ [link removed] ]

Employment Security Department [ [link removed] ]

Department of Labor & Industries [ [link removed] ]

Secretary of State’s Office [ [link removed] ]

Department of Revenue [ [link removed] ]

Emergency Management Division of the Military Department [ [link removed] ]

*Our mission:*


* To preserve the established connections to businesses for future communication of emergency related information.
* To make it easier for businesses to access state services & resources.
* To provide the latest cross-agency news affecting small businesses.

*"Published by The Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance  [ [link removed] ]"*

ORIA Connecting People with Information






Stay Connected with ORIA:
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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of the Governor / Office of Financial Management · PO Box 40002 · Olympia, WA · 98504-0002 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]