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New Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter Header [ [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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Washington Small Business Fair [ [link removed] ]

We’re excited to remind you that BizFair – Washington State’s largest free business resource fair – is just ten days away!

This year’s BizFair is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow your business. By attending, you’ll hear from our *Keynote Speaker, former Seattle Seahawk Jordan “Big Play Babs” Babineaux*, who will share insights on navigating change, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring lasting business success.

Don’t miss this chance to learn valuable business skills from our variety of workshops. Learn about how to prepare yourself and your business for a loan application with Loan Readiness: Understanding Business and Personal Credit, or learn about marketing your business online with SEO 101: Generating Organic Traffic and E-Commerce 101: Selling your Products Online. 

Check out the full list of workshops on WA BizFair [ [link removed] ].

*Get Tickets* [ [link removed] ]


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*New Tool for Loans & Grants Resources!*

Finding the right funding can be confusing, but now it’s easier. We’ve launched a new Loans & Grants [ [link removed] ] tool designed to meet you wherever you are in your business journey.

Whether you are:


* *Starting* your first business.
* *Growing* with new staff, customers, or locations.
* *Buying* an existing business.
* *Exporting* to international markets.
* Operating in a *rural* community.
* Driving *innovation* with new ideas.
* Working on *recovery* after a setback.

This tool connects you with the *right financial resources* to keep moving forward. No jargon. No endless searching. Just quick access to *state, federal, and local funding program* opportunities you need to succeed.

Do you know of a grant program or funding opportunity we should add? Please email us directly at [email protected].

Click the button below to discover the new Loans & Grants tool on our website!

*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:* Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 1-2 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] ]






Small Business Resiliency Network logo [ [link removed] ]

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Strong Business Support Builds Strong Businesses

Efficient, responsive and person-focused services that respect entrepreneurs time and needs can turn uncertainty into success - Koto Jelly Coffee [ [link removed] ] is living proof.

When the owner first envisioned their unique coffee drinks, they had no experience or knowledge of starting a business. They were unfamiliar with how to obtain a business license, meet commercial-kitchen requirements, create a business plan, choose proper equipment, navigate health-department permits, or execute marketing strategies.

With culturally tailored technical assistance and training from the Japan America Society of the State of Washington (JASSW) - a Commerce Small Business Resiliency Network [ [link removed] ] Partner – those barriers became milestones. JASSW provided step-by-step guidance, access to a commercial kitchen, and coaching that helped them meet regulation and pass their health district inspection with excellent ratings.

Their signature jelly – dairy-free and vegan, made with plant-based agar – is now delighting customers and has even been featured in Eater Seattle [ [link removed] ].

Hear their story firsthand: watch the video here [ [link removed] ].

Koto Jelly Coffee proves that when entrepreneurs receive efficient, responsive, and person-focused support, they can overcome every obstacle and share their creativity with community.  






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

dfi.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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Request for Proposal (RFP) Posted for a Program Consultant

Washington Saves logo [ [link removed] ]

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) seeks a Program Consultant to support the Washington Saves Governing Board as it develops the Washington Saves Program [ [link removed] ].

Established by the legislature in 2024 and scheduled to launch in 2027, Washington Saves will make it easier for workers to build retirement security while keeping things simple for employers. The program will provide employees with access to a portable, professionally managed IRA (Individual Retirement Account)—with no program fees for employers and only minimal administrative duties.  

The Program Consultant will serve as a key advisor, providing both technical expertise and practical support as the program moves from design to launch. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, supporting the Governing Board with governance training and fiduciary guidance, reviewing draft rules and policies to ensure compliance, assisting staff with major procurements and vendor oversight, and providing insights on industry trends and lessons from other states. This is a broad, flexible role designed to help Washington Saves start strong and remain aligned with best practices as it grows.

*Key RFP deadlines:*


* Questions due: *Oct 8, 2025*; answers posted: *October 10, 2025*.
* Bid submission deadline: *October 15, 2025*.  
* Apparent Successful Bidder announced: *November 5, 2025*.
* Contract award: *November 20, 2025*.  

*To review the RFP:*


* Go to [link removed]. [ [link removed] ]
* From drop-down menu, choose "Financial Institutions, Department of".
* Register as a vendor [ [link removed] ] to access the full RFP and submit your application.

*Questions?* Email: Jonathan Herrera, Program Manager at  [email protected].   

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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

wsdot.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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*Construction & Design Open House*

Preview 2025-27 Puget Sound projects & network with large, small & DBE contractors.

WSDOT’s open house is a free, in-person networking event for contractors and consultants interested in road preservation, construction, fish passage and other projects in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties.

*Event Details*


* *When:* Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 5-7 p.m.
* *Where:* NW Regional Headquarters | 15700 Dayton Ave. Shoreline, WA 98133
* Register Here [ [link removed] ] 

*Questions?* Email: [email protected]. <[email protected]>

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2025 Regional Contracting Forum

Celebrating 22 years of connecting small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses with purchasers at all levels of state and local government.

*Event Details*


* RCF [ [link removed] ] Flyer [ [link removed] ]
* *When:* Wednesday, September 17, 2025  | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
* *Where: *Muckleshoot Casino Resort | 2402 Auburn Way South Auburn, WA 98002
* *Register Here [ [link removed] ] *

Join us for the first ever *Central Regional Contracting Forum / Foro Regional Central de Contratacion:*

*Event Details*


* CRCF Flyer (Spanish) [ [link removed] ]
* CRCF Flyer (English) [ [link removed] ]
* *When:* Friday, September 26, 2025  | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
* *Where: *Yakima Convention Center | 10 North 8th Street Yakima, WA 98901
* *Register Here [ [link removed] ] *





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

dor.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]



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*Resources for Spanish-Speaking Businesses & Homeowners* 

DOR offers resources for Spanish-speaking businesses and homeowners to help them understand and meet their tax obligations.

The following guides are available on our Información en Español page [ [link removed] ]: 


* Guía para pequeños negocios [ [link removed] ] (Small Business Guide): This guide covers tax classifications, deductions, sales tax collection, and record-keeping requirements for new and small business owners. 

* Construcción [ [link removed] ] (Construction): This guide is specifically for construction industry professionals, addressing the taxes related to their field. 

* Conserjería y otros servicios de limpieza [ [link removed] ] (Janitorial and other cleaning services): This resource provides tax information for businesses operating in the cleaning industry. 

* Guía para propietarios acerca del impuesto sobre la propiedad [ [link removed] ] (Homeowners Guide to Property Tax): Information for homeowners on navigating property taxes in Washington state.





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

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



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NEW Online Expedite Feature

Do you need your filing done quickly but can’t come to our office or wait for mail delivery?

* Online customers can expedite their submission directly from the shopping cart for *$100 per item*.
* EXPEDITED items (where eligible) are typically finalized within *1–3 business days* from the submission date.
* Submissions processed as STANDARD are typically finalized within *5–8 business days.*
* File online using the Corporation and Charities Filing System (CCFS) [ [link removed] ].
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Same Day Service Fee

In-person services conducted at our office in Tumwater.

The Same Day Service Fee applies when customers file documents in person at our Tumwater office and require same-day processing.

The fee increase related to the Same Day Service Fee was set to take effect under Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in October 2023. Due to system limitations, the full increase was delayed and is now expected to take effect within the next 60 days.

To maintain transparency, we are providing more than 30 days’ notice of the increase. An exact fee amount and the effective date will be announced within two weeks of the effective date. This announcement will be posted in our Tumwater office and on our website at www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities [ [link removed] ].






Find Events & Training Opportunities





* SBA: Upcoming Events Calendar* [ [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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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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