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New Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter Header [ [link removed] ]




Spokane BizFair [ [link removed] ]

BizFair is Washington State's longest-running, free event for small business owners, offering educational seminars with industry experts, an Exhibition Hall with resources from government agencies and nonprofits, and networking opportunities – perfect for both current and aspiring entrepreneurs.

BizFair Spokane will feature *free workshops*, *expert-led seminars*, and an *exhibitor resource hall*, connecting attendees with representatives from federal, state, and local agencies. The event will provide valuable, actionable insights for current and aspiring business owners, from business planning to marketing strategies, licensing and permitting access to capital.

The fair is *free and open to the public.* All sessions are designed to be informative and interactive, with no sales pitches—just resources and expertise to help businesses succeed.* *

*Spokane Exhibitors Include:*


* SCORE Spokane
* Internal Revenue Service
* WA Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises
* WA Department of Labor & Industries
* WA Department of Enterprise Services
* US Small Business Administration - Spokane
* Washington Health Benefit Exchange
* Greater Spokane Inc.
* Washington Small Business Development Center
* Washington APEX/Greater Spokane Inc.
* Spokane Independent Metro Business Alliance (SIMBA)
* Business Impact NW
* AT&T Mobility
* Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (ORIA)
* Washington Secretary of State

*Register Now* [ [link removed] ]






WA Department of Labor and Industries logo [ [link removed] ]
Department of

Labor & Industries

lni.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Making L&I Guidelines Easy for Small Businesses

Check out our video series: "Essentials for Business"

The Small Business Office [ [link removed] ] strives to make it easier for small businesses to work with L&I. We understand most don’t have the time to sift through the many laws and regulations, and that they can be difficult to understand as well.

That’s why we created the "Essentials for Business [ [link removed] ]", a six-part video series that answers many of the most common questions small business employers have. Each two-minute video explains these complex regulations in a simple way that includes easily accessible resources.






Washington Secretary of State [ [link removed] ]
Corporations &

Charities Division

sos.wa.gov/corps [ [link removed] ]



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*Our Office is Moving!*

The Corporations and Charities Division will be relocating to Tumwater in mid-June!

Our office anticipates that the last day for in-person services at 801 Capitol Way S, Olympia will be *Friday, June 13th.*

We will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, June 16th and 17th, and will re-open at our new location on* Wednesday June 18th.*

Please check our website [ [link removed] ]  for the most up-to-date information. We will update it with the new address as we get closer to the move. Any changes to the move dates or office closure will also be posted there. 

*Future Effective Dates*

Do you need documents filed? Our office closure may impact timing - don't wait until the last day to submit them!

* Take advantage of filing early with a future effective date!
* The future effective date can be up to 90 days in the future from the date that the documents are received and processed by our office.
* Our office does not recommend selecting a future effective date for an annual report, as it may result in duplicate filings and unnecessary notices. Business entities can file up to 180 days prior to their annual report due date.
* File online using CCFS [ [link removed] ].

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Washington state Dept. of Commerce [ [link removed] ]
Department of Commerce

commerce.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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OEDC Online Tariff Info and Resource Guide image [ [link removed] ]
Online Tariff Information and Resource Guide

This guide outlines recent and proposed tariff actions, resources for mitigating or minimizing tariff exposure, and relevant state and federal resources that can assist businesses as they adapt their operations.

You can even request 1:1 support from the Export Assistance team.

 

Explore these valuable resources at

CHOOSEWashington [ [link removed] ]

 



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EFACW Export [ [link removed] ]
*Export Compliance *

*#201 Webinar*

This hands-on training program covers topics from licensing and documentation to HTS classification and common errors with EEI filings.

Gain a better understanding of the regulations and with specific tools & instructions on how to begin building a secure and compliant department & company.

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

& Register Today [ [link removed] ]

 






SSBCI Rebecca's flower shop [ [link removed] ]
State Small Business Credit Initiative

The #1 request of small businesses is affordable financing. Commerce offers several loan and funding programs to serve the needs of small businesses across the state.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]



ScaleUp Summer Deep Dive [ [link removed] ]
ScaleUp - Summer Deep Dive into Marketing

This FREE four-week ScaleUp summer session is tailored just for you. The Dept. of Commerce delivers this program in partnership with the Thurston EDC.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






Office for Minority and Women's Business Enterprises logo [ [link removed] ]
Office of Minority & Women's 

Business Enterprises

omwbe.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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LGBTQ Webinar Header [ [link removed] ]

LGBTQ Certification Public Hearing

The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is preparing to launch Washington state's first ever LGBTQ certification program for small businesses! This new program will go live on July 1, 2025. In order to implement LGBTQ Certification, OMWBE is proposing a rule change and must gather comment via a public hearing.

*To learn more and provide feedback, register for the public hearing today!*


* *When:* May 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
* *Where:* Virtual via Zoom Webinar • Register Here [ [link removed] ]





Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance [ [link removed] ]
Office for Regulatory

Innovation & Assistance

business.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Small Business Resources & Requirements

Free Workshops

Small Business Liaison Team Circle Logo

The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) [ [link removed] ] is a partnership of 29 state agencies working to improve access to regulatory information, education, and agency resources for business communities across the state of Washington.

The Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) [ [link removed] ] free workshops provide vital information on regulatory requirements, state permits, business structures, employee hiring and retention, and available resources to help businesses grow and thrive.



From Start to Smart in Business - In Person Workshops

These in-person workshops are specially designed for small business owners seeking a clear understanding of available program resources and the relevant state regulations that can impact their business. Whether you're launching a new venture or looking to scale your existing business, this session offers valuable insights tailored to your needs.

*Who Should Attend?*

Small business owners at any stage—whether just starting out or looking to expand—who want to equip themselves with essential knowledge and connections to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

*Pullman Small Business Resources Workshop*


* *Where*: Pullman City Hall at 190 SE Crestview St. Bldg A, Pullman, WA 99163
* *When:* Tuesday • May 13, 2025 • 2pm - 4pm • Register Here [ [link removed] ]

*Asotin County Small Business Workshop*


* *Where:* Walla Walla Community College at 1470 Bridge St., Clarkston, WA 99403
* *When:* Wednesday • May 14, 2025 • 2pm - 4pm • Register Here [ [link removed] ]

*Port of Columbia Small Business Workshop*


* *Where: *Columbia County Fairgrounds Youth Bldg. at 5 North Pine St. Dayton, WA 99328
* *When: *Wednesday • May 14, 2025 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm • Register Here [ [link removed] ]

To learn more about upcoming webinars and workshops, click the button below.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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The Small Business Guide

The Small Business Guide [ [link removed] ] is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business. Whether you’re launching a new business, managing an existing one, or looking to expand, you’ll discover valuable information and resources here. The guide offers essential details, links to important resources, and a clear outline of the steps needed to start and run a business in Washington State.

Small Business Guide [ [link removed] ]

The Small Business Guide is now available in the following languages:

English [ [link removed] ], Spanish [ [link removed] ], Russian [ [link removed] ], Korean [ [link removed] ], Vietnamese [ [link removed] ], Samoan [ [link removed] ], Somali [ [link removed] ], and Tagalog [ [link removed] ], Ukrainian [ [link removed] ],  and two volumes in Braille Ready Format Braille - Volume 1 [ [link removed] ] and Braille - Volume 2 [ [link removed] ].






TIPS & REMINDERS

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Save Energy! Save Money!

Are you a small business in the Puget Sound Energy service area?

Get a *Small Business Energy Assessment [ [link removed] ]*, and we’ll install no-cost and low-cost upgrades that start saving you money right away – all without disrupting your operations.

*Here's what you get:*


* Lower energy bills with upgrades like LED lighting and water-saving aerators
* Expert advice on additional energy-saving improvements
* Rebates to reduce costs further
* A better environment for your customers

*Who qualifies? *


* Nonprofits with 20,000 sq. feet or less
* Multiple businesses within a building, up to 15,000 sq. feet
* Small businesses up to 10,000 sq. feet

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Enterprise for Equity logo [ [link removed] ]

Funding Opportunities! 

NEW Loan Program for City of Olympia businesses:

* Loans amounts: $1,000 - $10,000
* Applicants must have completed Enterprise for Equity’s Microenterprise Planning or Business ReVITALizer Program, be in good standing, and submit a complete, vetted microenterprise plan.
* For more information: City of Olympia Microloan Program FAQs [ [link removed] ].

USDA Rural Microloan Programs (For businesses located in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Wahkiakum, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties):

* Loans amounts: $1,000 - $25,000
* Open to Business Planning Program and Business ReVITALizer alumni.
* For more information: USDA Microloan FAQs [ [link removed] ].

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Seattle Metro Chamber [ [link removed] ]
City of Seattle Partners with Comcast in Grants for Local Small Business Owners

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber [ [link removed] ] is pleased to inform small businesses in King County about this opportunity.  King County is one of five US regions selected for Comcast RISE Grants. Applications open May 1-31, 2025 with grants awarded in August 2025.







Washington state nonprofit conference logo [ [link removed] ]

Registration Closes May 11th

The Washington State Nonprofit Conference (WSNC) [ [link removed] ] , the state's largest nonprofit gathering, will be held *online on May 13-14*. In-person events will also take place in *Spokane (May 16) and Tacoma (May 20).* The conference features keynote speakers, a variety of workshops, and networking among nonprofit leaders. Registration is required.






*SBA: Upcoming Events* [ [link removed] ]


*SCORE: Business Training* [ [link removed] ]


*WSBDC: Events Calendar* [ [link removed] ]




*OMWBE: Workshops & Events* [ [link removed] ]


*OMWBE: Bids & Contracting Opportunities* [ [link removed] ]


*WCWB: Events* [ [link removed] ]




*L&I: Workshops & Training Center* [ [link removed] ]


*DOR: Workshops & Webinars* [ [link removed] ]


*DES: Events & Meetings* [ [link removed] ]






ORIA footer [ [link removed] ]






Stay Connected with ORIA:
Facebook [ [link removed] ]  Instagram [ [link removed] ]   youtube [ [link removed] ] 
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [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] ]

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