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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.
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 tool designed to meet you wherever you are in your business journey.
Whether you are:
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Starting your first business.
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Growing with new staff, customers, or locations.
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Buying an existing business.
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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!
Small Business Resources & Requirements
Free Workshops
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The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) 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) 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.
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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
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When: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 1-2 p.m.
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Where: Via Zoom | Register Here
To learn more about upcoming webinars and workshops, click the button below.
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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 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 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.
Hear their story firsthand: watch the video here.
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.
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Request for Proposal (RFP) Posted for a Program Consultant
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.
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:
Questions? Email: Jonathan Herrera, Program Manager at [email protected].
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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
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When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 5-7 p.m.
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Where: NW Regional Headquarters | 15700 Dayton Ave. Shoreline, WA 98133
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Register Here
Questions? Email: [email protected].
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
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RCF Flyer
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When: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
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Where: Muckleshoot Casino Resort | 2402 Auburn Way South Auburn, WA 98002
- Register Here
Join us for the first ever Central Regional Contracting Forum / Foro Regional Central de Contratacion:
Event Details
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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:
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Guía para pequeños negocios (Small Business Guide): This guide covers tax classifications, deductions, sales tax collection, and record-keeping requirements for new and small business owners.
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Construcción (Construction): This guide is specifically for construction industry professionals, addressing the taxes related to their field.
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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).
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.
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