New Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter Header
? June 2024 ?





Newsletter Roundtable Save the Date [ [link removed] ]
Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance

Calling all Small Business Owners, Tribal & Community Leaders

*We want to hear from you!*

ORIA is hosting a series of Small Business Regulatory Roundtables around Washington state. The goal of these roundtables is to listen and get input on how government agencies can better support small business owners specifically through regulatory improvements. As we tour the state, each roundtable will include representatives from different government agencies.?

*Topics of discussion include:*


* Licensing
* Permitting
* Tax Reporting & Fees
* Regulatory Processes

*For more information and to register, click the link below!*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


We want to hear the opinion from all Washington businesses. If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to the discussion, please take a few minutes to complete this multiple-choice survey [ [link removed] ] to help us understand how we can improve.? We appreciate any feedback you can provide.






Puyallup Biz Fair Save the Date [ [link removed] ]
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Spokane Biz Fair Save the Date [ [link removed] ]




DEPT. OF COMMERCE

Two New Loan Programs Now Available

Commerce launches the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) with two new loan programs!

*The Small Business Flex Fund 2 and the Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loan Programs are live!*

The goals of the SSBCI programs are to address the capital needs of the smallest businesses and non-profit organizations in Washington, with a focus on under-resourced and under-banked communities.


* *Washington Small Business Flex Fun**d 2 * [ [link removed] ]: The Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access affordable loans they need to thrive. 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.
* *Owner-Occupied Commercial Real-Estate Loan Program [ [link removed] ]: *The program is designed to assist small businesses in qualifying for financing and lowering their business risk when undertaking owner-occupied real estate loans.?The program benefits small business owners with funding for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans that could be used for tenant improvements, construction, purchase or refinance.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Office of Minority & Women?s Business Enterprises Academy [ [link removed] ]
Are you Ready to Contract with the Government?

The Office of Minority & Women?s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) just launched a new on-demand training platform for certified businesses! OMWBE Academy helps certified businesses navigate the complex world of government contracting. Learning modules include topics such as bonding, indirect rates, and understanding the bidding process. All courses within OMWBE Academy are available in English and in Spanish.

*Join OMWBE Academy or Get Certified with OMWBE!*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Washington state Department of Enterprise Services [ [link removed] ]
*Opportunities for Washington Businesses*

State agencies are eager to invest in small, diverse,?and veteran-owned Washington businesses*.*?

*What are small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses?*


* *Small Businesses:* Located in Washington, with 50 or fewer employees and a gross annual revenue of less than $7 million.?
* *Diverse Businesses: *At least 51% owned by minorities, women, and other under-represented communities.
* *Veteran-Owned:* Incorporated in Washington and at least 51% veteran-owned.

*Get started with state contracting:*


* Attend our free monthly webinar [ [link removed] ].
* Register in Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) [ [link removed] ], the state bidding system.
* Learn how: Tips for working with the state.? [ [link removed] ]
* View all upcoming contracting opportunities: Planned procurements [ [link removed] ]
* Stay connected: Subscribe to our monthly email bulletin [ [link removed] ] for the latest updates and opportunities for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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*Meet DES at Tabor 100!*

Drop by Tabor 100 [ [link removed] ] the last Wednesday of each month for in-person help getting started on doing business with the state.??


* We can show you the best state contracting opportunities for the goods and services you sell.
* We can help you get registered in WEBS.
* Learn where to get technical support for bidding on state contracts.

Drop in to discover how to grow your business with state opportunities!


* Where:?Tabor 100, 7100 Fort Dent Way, Suite 100, Tukwila, WA 98188
* When:?10 a.m.-2 p.m.
* Dates:??June 26, July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30

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*Apply Now for DES? New Small Works Roster*

Small prime contractors looking for public works opportunities of $350,000 or less should apply now [ [link removed] ] to join the statewide small works roster [ [link removed] ].

*As of July 1:*


* DES will be joining hundreds of other public agencies on the statewide small works roster hosted by the Municipal Research and Services Center.?
* Whether you?re new to small works [ [link removed] ] or you?ve been on DES? list before, you must apply now [ [link removed] ] to continue to receive small works opportunities after June 30.
* DES will also be switching to online bids for the small works roster ? register for online bidding [ [link removed] ] today!

Subscribe [ [link removed] ] for Public Works Business Diversity updates, or email your questions <[email protected]>






WA state Department of Ecology [ [link removed] ]

*Small Businesses Can Save Money & Help The Environment*

Ecycle [ [link removed] ]

Electronic products contain valuable materials that can be recycled and toxic chemicals that should be kept out of landfills. E-Cycle Washington is a free program that makes it easy for Washington?s small businesses to recycle certain broken or worn-out electronics and save money. Items accepted include:


* TVs
* Computers
* Laptops
* Monitors
* Tablets

To find a nearby collection site, you can call 1-800-RECYCLE or go to ecyclewa.org [ [link removed] ]. If you have more than ten electronic items, contact the Materials Management and Financing Authority [ [link removed] ] at 1-855-674-5871 before bringing them to a collection location.

Small businesses may also participate in the program by becoming a collection site and receive compensation for the electronics collected. If you have questions or are interested in becoming a collector, contact Christine Haun at [email protected].



*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






ERWT [ [link removed] ]
*New In-Person Learning Opportunity!*

Early Return to Work consultants and Risk Management specialists are excited to present together this year at Labor & Industries? (L&I) Contractor Days.? The presentation will focus on managing workers? compensation costs, mitigating increases, implementing light-duty work and utilizing financial-incentive programs.?

*Join us for our session:*

"Building Success: Strategies for Cost Savings through Return to Work? - "1.75 SHRM credits available.


* June 21, 2024? ?? Green River Community College (Auburn)
* Sept. 6, 2024? ???Edmonds Community College
* Oct. 11, 2024? ???Spokane Community College
* Dec. 13, 2024? ???Olympic College (Bremerton)

Sign up for the presentation here: Contractor Training & Workshops (wa.gov) [ [link removed] ]

Questions?? Email [email protected]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Washington state Small Business Liaison Team [ [link removed] ]
Small Business Requirements & Resources

The Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) are?*free workshops*?providing you with essential information and resources to help start and grow your business.

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



"Starting a Business in Washington ??"Live Workshop

Wednesday, August 7, 2024? ?? 9:00 AM -10:00 am ? ?Register Here [ [link removed] ]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Small Business Guide [ [link removed] ]
Small Business Guide

The Small Business Guide [ [link removed] ] is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business.? Whether you are starting your business, managing a new business, or expanding your business, you'll find valuable information and resources.

The business guide is readily accessible online, but it's also available in PDF, so you can have it as a printed reference manual.? The PDF is available English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog and two volumes in Braille Ready Format.?

Click here to download the guide in PDF format [ [link removed] ]







? Training ? Events ? Webinars ? Workshops ?

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*How much do you know about the hazards of the chemicals you use?*

The Dept. of Ecology offers webinars, in-person training, and other opportunities to build the skills you need to explore safer chemicals.?To learn more, visit Dept. of Ecology - Safer alternatives to toxic chemicals [ [link removed] ].

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*Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting - Live Webinar*

As of January 1, 2024, most (not all) corporations and LLCs must report information about their owners, controllers, and applicants to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).?

Learn more about this requirement in the upcoming webinar provided by WSBDC:


* June 17th ?? 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ?? Register Here [ [link removed] ]

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* Women's Business Center? [ [link removed] ]
* SCORE [ [link removed] ]
* SBA [ [link removed] ]
* WSBDC [ [link removed] ]
* Dept. of Enterprise Services [ [link removed] ]?
* Dept. of Labor & Industries [ [link removed] ]
* Dept. of Revenue [ [link removed] ]
* Office of Minority's & Women's Business Enterprises [ [link removed] ]
* Dept. of Natural Resources [ [link removed] ]





Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance [ [link removed] ]






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] ]