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




BizFair is Returning September 20!

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Jordan Headshot [ [link removed] ]
BizFair is proud to announce this year’s Keynote Speaker is Former Seahawk, Jordan Babineaux!

Known as “Big Play Babs” during his nine-year NFL career, Jordan’s tenacity from undrafted free agent to game-day difference maker exemplifies the mindset, discipline, and leadership he now brings to business. After retiring from football, he co-founded 2 Brothers Productions—delivering nationally acclaimed projects with icons like Kevin Hart—then earned an Executive MBA from Seattle University and authored the international bestseller Pivot to Win.

*Join us as Jordan speaks to business owners about navigating change while succeeding in their business ventures.*



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Washington Biz Fair [ [link removed] ]

BizFair is Washington State’s largest and longest-running small business resource fair. This free event is open to the public and features no-cost small business resources and education from federal and state agencies and local nonprofit organizations. Throughout the day attendees have the opportunity to visit info tables, business training workshops, and hear from guest speakers and panelists on a variety of business topics including business planning, licensing and registration, tax obligations, marketing strategies, funding opportunities, and more.


* *When:* Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
* *Where:* Pierce College | 1601 39th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374
* For event agenda and registration, visit: BizFair.wa.gov [ [link removed] ].

*Get Tickets* [ [link removed] ]






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

dor.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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New Industry Guides Now Available

DOR offers over 40 industry specific guides to help you understand reporting responsibilities for different industries. We recently added new guides for the following industries:


* Child care [ [link removed] ]
* Beauty and wellness services [ [link removed] ]
* Janitorial and other cleaning services [ [link removed] ]
* Real estate industry [ [link removed] ]
* Tattooing, piercing, and other skin modifications [ [link removed] ]

Check out the full list of guides [ [link removed] ].

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Retailers – Sign up for an Introduction to Sales Tax Webinar

Attend a free webinar to help you understand your sales tax collection and reporting responsibilities. This course will provide a basic overview of how and when to collect sales tax, and how to determine the correct sales tax rate for your sales. We will also demonstrate how to report retail sales using our online portal, My DOR.


* Register for the webinar [ [link removed] ] - before they fill up!





Washington state Department of Financial Institutions [ [link removed] ]
Department of Financial Institutions

dfi.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Wildfire Preparedness

Because experts predict above-normal wildfire risk this year, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has issued guidance on steps you can take to protect your finances and home before, during, and after a wildfire.


* Guidance for consumers [ [link removed] ]
* Guidance for financial institutions [ [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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RCF Header [ [link removed] ]

Register Now for the 2025 Regional Contracting Forum

*Join us for the 2025 *Regional Contracting Forum [ [link removed] ]* on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Muckleshoot Events Center. This event is FREE for all to attend!*

Introduce your business to prime contractors, prime consultants and the region's largest government entities:


* City of Seattle
* King County
* Washington State Department of Transportation
* Port of Tacoma,
* Washington State Office of Minorities and Women's Business Enterprises
* Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
* Sound Transit
* Port of Seattle
* City of Bellevue
* City of Tacoma
* Department of Social and Health Services
* Department of Corrections, and more.

Attendees have the opportunity to meet government contracting representatives and network with contractors, consultants, and suppliers all at one event.

*Who Should Attend?*

Businesses interested in selling products and services, consultants, and contractors. Small, Minority, Women, Disadvantaged, and Veteran-Owned Businesses are encouraged to attend.

*Register for Free* [ [link removed] ]


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Consultant Services for Technical Training and Assistance

OMWBE intends to conduct a competitive procurement to award multiple contracts to consultants with expertise in construction, professional services, bonding, and maritime bonding as well as other construction related topics to provide technical training and assistance to OMWBE certified firms through various workshop topics as outlined in this solicitation.

Competitive Solicitation 55889

Deadline for submitting bids: 09/15/2025

View the entire RFP [ [link removed] ]






Washington state Department of Transportation logo [ [link removed] ]
Department of  Transportation

wsdot.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Yakima Central Regional Contracting Forum

This event is an opportunity for small businesses, minority, women, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses to meet purchase at all levels of state and local government, including school districts, transportation agencies, tribal governments and other organizations.


* *When:* Tuesday, September 26, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
* *Where:* Yakima Convention Center - 10 N 8th St. Yakima, WA 
* Register Here [ [link removed] ] 

Event Flyer: Yakima CRCF (English) [ [link removed] ]

Event Flyer: Yakima CRCF (Spanish) [ [link removed] ]

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WSDOT Ship Canal bridge [ [link removed] ]

Ship Canal Bridge Preservation

WSDOT Revive I5
What to expect

Revive I-5 preservation efforts start summer 2025 across the Ship Canal Bridge north of downtown Seattle. Weekend closures can extend from the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street in the University District. We’re committed to helping you get to Seattle so you can experience everything the city has to offer—just remember to plan ahead.

During the northbound closures and lane reductions, the express lanes will run 24/7 in the northbound direction.

*Major I-5 closures coming in August*

* *Visit our Website for Important Dates [ [link removed] ]







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

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



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Did You Receive a Notice About Your Business? Make Sure It’s Legit!

Our office receives many calls from businesses that receive texts, emails, calls, and mail urging them to file their annual report or submit other paperwork—but these notifications do not come from the Secretary of State.

*Here’s how to avoid unnecessary third-party fees:*


* Our website has a *Misleading Notices and Solicitations page* that informs you about third-party notices and reported deceptive solicitations. Click here to visit this page [ [link removed] ].
* We also provide a page to help you quickly *recognize notices from our office* and how to verify them. Click here to visit this page [ [link removed] ].

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How Notifications are Sent & When to Expect Them

Our office currently sends notifications by email or postal mail. Notices are emailed to the address on record for the Registered Agent and for the Principal Office. If no email address is on record, the notification will be mailed to the Registered Agent’s mailing address on file, or to the Principal Office mailing address if the Registered Agent has resigned.


* *Annual Report Due Date:* Issued on the 1st of the month before the entity’s anniversary (typically 60 days before the expiration date).
* *Delinquency:* Issued on the 1st of the month after the expiration date if the annual report has not been filed. Note: Even if the annual report is submitted, it does not take effect until our office records it.
* *Administrative Dissolution:* Issued to a domestic business entity 120 days after the expiration date if the annual report has not been filed. These notices are issued on the 3rd of the month.
* *Statement of Termination*: Issued to a foreign business entity 90 days after the expiration date if the annual report has not been filed. These notices are issued on the 3rd of the month.





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

commerce.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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STEP Program [ [link removed] ]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Virtual Small Business Lending Series

This series is an on-going effort to access capital for small businesses. Connect with small business lenders participating in the Linked Deposit and other loan programs.

*Why should you attend?*


* Learn about loan programs for your stage in business.
* Access to capital for *early-stage businesses* and those thinking about starting a business (Session 3).
* Access to capital for *established businesses* to fund business growth, mobilize new projects, or stabilize cashflow fluctuations (Session 4).
* For more information, contact [email protected]





Virtutal Small Business Lending 1 [ [link removed] ]

*Register for Session 3* [ [link removed] ]




Virtual Small Business Lending 2 [ [link removed] ]

*Register for Session 4* [ [link removed] ]






Washington state Department of Social and Health Services [ [link removed] ]
Department of Social & Health Services

dshs.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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The Employer’s Role in Child Support

New! Fall dates announced for Division of Child Support webinars.

Each month, DCS's Employer Relations Team offers a one-hour webinar to share resources, tools, and best practices to help you navigate federal and state child support requirements. Join us to learn more about reporting new hires, withholding wages, enrolling for medical benefits, payment options, and more.

*Register for a live webinar on:* 


* Sept. 4 [ [link removed] ]
* Oct. 2 [ [link removed] ]
* Nov. 6 [ [link removed] ]
* Dec. 4 [ [link removed] ]

For more information, visit our webpage [ [link removed] ] or contact us at 800-562-0479 or via email at [email protected].






Washington state Employment Security Department logo [ [link removed] ]
Employment Security Department

esd.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Washington State Expands Federal WARN Act Requirements & Penalties 

As of July 27, 2025, the state expanded on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The WARN Act requires companies planning a mass layoff to notify workers 60 days before the closure. The new law enforces stricter penalties for businesses that do not comply with it. It also now applies to more organizations. 

Visit our website [ [link removed] ] to learn more.

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Employers Have New Requirements When Moving Call Center Work Out of the United States 

As of July 27, 2025, employers have new responsibilities when moving call center work out of the United States. The state Call Center Jobs Act affects employers with 50 or more employees who intend to move a call center outside of the United States. It applies when the move is for either: 


* A call center. 
* Facilities within a call center responsible for 25% or more of the typical month's volume of work. 

Visit ou [ [link removed] ]r website [ [link removed] ] to learn more.






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.



Starting a Business in Washington - Live Webinar

Join this free, one-hour webinar to gain essential knowledge for starting a business in Washington. It covers planning, registration, and licensing requirements. You'll also connect with members of the Small Business Liaison Team, your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements and enhancing your business practices.

*Webinar Details*


* *When:* Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
* *Where:* Via Zoom | 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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Before & After Deportation

The Appleseed Foundation [ [link removed] ] and Appleseed México [ [link removed] ] invite you to watch a video webinar [ [link removed] ] sharing practical information and tools for people facing deportation and those returning to Mexico. They have also released an updated "Deportation Preparation Manual for Immigrant Families" [ [link removed] ], which explains how families can proactively plan to safeguard their children and finances in the event of detention or deportation.

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The City of Vancouver's Lodging Tax Grant Program

The City of Vancouver offers grants to support:


* Local events and festivals.
* Tourism promotion and market efforts.
* One-time tourism programs or facility capital improvement projects.
* Application window: August 1 - September 19.

For eligibility and application requirements, visit: City of Vancouver's website. [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

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Discover Funding Opportunities

FundHubWA helps Washingtonians - businesses, individuals, nonprofits, and organizations - find state and federal funding opportunities related to climate and clean energy for which they can apply.

Visit FundHub.WA.gov [ [link removed] ] to explore climate and clean energy funding opportunities.






Explore Event Calendars & Find Training Opportunities





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


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






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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] ]

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