New Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter Header
? July 2024 ?





ORIA Small Business Regulatory Roundtable [ [link removed] ]
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GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR REGULATORY INNOVATION & ASSISTANCE

Small Business Regulatory Roundtables

*We want to hear from you!*

This summer the Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) is traveling to cities around Washington to engage with small businesses, local leaders, and tribes with the goal of improving the regulation process.? We are partnering with economic development councils, chambers, and agency leaders to listen and learn from those using state services.? The topics and discussion points will be specific to the needs of each location.??

During the last week of June, our team traveled to Spokane and Yakima for our first Small Business Regulatory Roundtables. Both of these events allowed participants to clarify and explain their own perspectives on improvements for the regulatory process. Thank you for your participation and embracing the opportunity to engage in open conversations! Some of the topics of discussion included:


* Customer Service & Communication?
* Tax Reporting & Filing Compliance
* Startup Process & Fees?
* Agency Rules

We anticipate visiting Longview, King County, and Grays Harbor County in August.? We will update our website as soon as details are confirmed.??

*To register or for more information, click the link below!*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Wa Dept. of Commerce Small Business Funding Programs [ [link removed] ]





WA state Department of Ecology [ [link removed] ]

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*Cosmetics Products Restrictions Rulemaking*

The Department of Ecology started a new rulemaking [ [link removed] ] to implement the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) [ [link removed] ]. This new rule will:?


* Make cosmetics safer for consumers and the environment.?
* Reduce consumers? and workers? exposure to formaldehyde.?
* Address the disproportionate harms caused by cosmetic products in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.?
* Reduce the amount of formaldehyde entering the environment.

All businesses that manufacture, distribute, sell, or use cosmetic products in Washington must comply with the TFCA. This includes:


* Cosmetic manufacturers.
* Brands.
* Distributors.
* Retailers.
* Cosmetologists.
* Cosmetology businesses, such as hair and nail salons.

*Get involved!*


* Register [ [link removed] ] for the July 23, 2024, informational webinar via zoom.
* Submit your comment during the informal public comment period through August 13, 2024.
* For assistance, contact: [email protected]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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*Safer Cosmetics Certification Subsidy Program*

The Department of Ecology is developing a certification subsidy program to help small cosmetics manufacturers obtain voluntary environmental health certifications for their cosmetics products. As of Jan. 1, 2025, the?Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) [ [link removed] ]?restricts the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cosmetic products that contain certain chemicals and chemical classes within Washington.

Contact the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Team <[email protected]> if you are a small cosmetics manufacturer (50 employees or less) interested in getting your products certified as safer, or if you would like help understanding the upcoming restrictions or how to formulate your products using safer alternatives.

*Questions? Contact:* [email protected]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPT.

Awards Ceremony to Recognize Employers or Individuals Who Recruit, Hire & Promote Workers With Disabilities

*Nominations are Open for the 32nd Annual Governor's Employer Awards!*

To spotlight the important role disability plays in workforce diversity, the Washington State Governor?s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment [ [link removed] ] has opened nominations for the 32nd Annual Governor?s Employer Awards.

The Governor?s Employer Awards program honors and celebrates the many and varied contributions Washington?s employers make to recruit, hire and advance workers with disabilities.

The awards program honors employers of all sizes in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. It also honors one employer who supports youths with disabilities through employment preparation and job skills training.

Phil White, the Employment Security Department's former deputy commissioner, gives his personal invitation [ [link removed] ] to submit a nomination.


* *Nominations are open through July 31, 2024.*
* Review Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) [ [link removed] ] about GCDE Awards nominations.
* For questions, [email protected].?
* To request a nomination packet or for assistance, contact Emily Heike at 360-890-3776.
*

The awards ceremony will be in October.

*For nomination forms, instructions, and additional information, please click the link below.*

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






OFFICE OF MINORITY & WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
WSDOT [ [link removed] ]
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It's Time For Planes, Trains & Automobiles 2024

This is a collaborative outreach effort between the Port of Seattle, Sound Transit and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to provide information regarding doing business with each agency, information regarding upcoming opportunities, network with decision-makers and potential business partners and understand certification benefits with the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE).

*Event Details:*


* *Date:* Wednesday, July 31, 2024
* *Time:* 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
* *Location:* Northwest African American Museum,?2300 S. Massachusetts St, Seattle, WA 98144
* Register Here [ [link removed] ]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Washington state Department of Enterprise Services [ [link removed] ]
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Joining the Small Works Roster Just Got Easier

Joining the small works roster for public works projects less than $350,000 is even easier, thanks to some recent changes to Washington?s Small Works Roster laws.

Learn more about the changes and how your business can get on the roster: Changes to the Small Works Roster | Department of Enterprise Services (DES) (wa.gov) [ [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] ]







TIPS & REMINDERS
Washington Bizfair Save the Date [ [link removed] ]
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Meet Your Local Small Business Lenders

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District and the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB) invite you to meet local SBA lenders ready to talk to you about your funding needs. Visit with lenders at info tables, ask questions, and tell them about your business!

*Event Details:*


* *Date:* July 16, 2024
* *Time:* 2:30 p.m - 4:00 p.m.
* *Location:* Thurston EDC, 4220 6th Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503
* Register Here [ [link removed] ]

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? Training ? Events ? Webinars ? Workshops ?

* 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] ]





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






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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] ]