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Just One Month Until BizFair!
Thank you for registering for BizFair, Washington State's largest FREE Business Resource Fair! We are so excited to announce that we are just one month out from one of the most highly anticipated business events of the year! Come network and learn about free small business resources from over 40 Federal, State, and Local Organizations, as well as some of Washington State's Microlenders!
Enjoy our free workshops on topics such as Bookkeeping and Accounting, Registering your Business, Creating a Business Plan, How to get Lender Ready, and many more! You can find our full workshop list on BizFair.wa.gov.
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Make a Direct Deposit Toward Education Savings Explore WA529 in the Workplace
Providing holistic support for your employees can help you build and retain an effective workforce. As an employer, you can empower your team and emphasize a family-focused company culture through Washington 529 Education Savings Plans (WA529). Consider adding WA529 Payroll Direct Deposit as a voluntary benefit option for your workers.
Saving for a child’s or grandchild's future education can feel overwhelming. Our state’s WA529 plans—GET and WA529 Invest—are built to be simple, flexible, and low maintenance. Earnings grow tax-free when used for qualified education expenses. Funds can be used for college, trade schools, apprenticeships, and other eligible career training programs.
When workers set aside a small amount from each paycheck through payroll direct deposit, saving becomes a habit. Employees who are looking to support their family’s future can slowly build savings over time and feel more secure and confident—and you, as their employer, can be the one who made it possible.
Positioning your business in support of not only your employees, but also their families, will build a stronger community of workers focused on building their futures with you.
Learn more about WA529 in the Workplace at 529.wa.gov/for-employers.
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SharedWork: Managing Tough Times Together
SharedWork can help you avoid layoffs by giving you the flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours during economic downturns. It lets you manage costs without sacrificing your team.
If your business is facing an uncertain economic reality, SharedWork is here to help. We understand you need to keep your organization running during tough times — while also looking after your workers. These may seem like competing priorities, but they don't have to be.
Learn more about SharedWork and how to apply.
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We Need Your Input: Procurement Template Survey
This is an update on the Department of Enterprise Services' cross-agency effort to create standard solicitation, contract, and purchase order templates for most routine state procurements. Standardized templates mean businesses will spend less time figuring out different agency formats — and you'll have more time to focus on your response.
If you missed our introductory sessions for businesses, there's still time to share your feedback via our survey.
Your perspective is important, and we want to hear from you.
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Have you heard about the Responsible Vendor Program (RVP)?
The Liquor and Cannabis Board's Responsible Vendor Program (RVP) is a free, voluntary, self-monitoring compliance program for spirit retailers, grocery stores, and beer and wine specialty shops that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. RVP encourages licensees to use best practices to prevent sales to minors.
Are there benefits to participating in the RVP?
Absolutely! RVP members actively contribute to the public safety of their communities, and in return, participating retailers may be eligible for a reduced sanction from the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) if charged with a public safety violation.
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Spirits Retailer: the standard penalty is assessed instead of a double penalty (once a year).
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Beer/Wine Retailer: the option to take a deferment for a first-time public safety violation (once in two years).
RVP membership may also offer increased protection in third-party liability lawsuits.
Where can I learn more about RVP and how to apply?
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Safer Products for Businesses
Watch these webinar recordings to get an update on Ecology’s research on safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
- Webinar 1 — Cosmetics, Nail Products, and Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Webinar 2 — Jewelry and Accessories, Motor Vehicle Tires, and Cookware and Kitchen Supplies
- Webinar 3 — Architectural Paints, Sealants, Adhesives and Caulks, and Hard Surface Sealers
- Webinar 4 — Insulation, Solid Deodorizers, and Floor Waxes and Polishes
- Webinar 5 — Plastic Packaging, Artificial Turf and Printing Inks
Questions? Contact the Safer Chemicals Team at [email protected].
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New Manufacturing Webinar Available
Do you create something new, different, or useful? If so, you may be interested in our new webinar for manufacturers.
Join us to learn about the taxes due on manufacturing activities, and tax deductions, credits, and exemptions that may apply. We will also demonstrate how to file your tax return in My DOR, including how to complete the Multiple Activities Tax Credit form.
Webinar Details
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When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.
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Where: Via Zoom | Register Here
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Trade Policy, Tariffs, Refund Recovery, and more… What Businesses Need to Know
This webinar is designed for exporters, importers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers in international trade. We will have two experienced international trade lawyers and a custom-compliance professional presenting, sharing their knowledge in today’s complex trade landscape and helping businesses to understand how these recent changes may affect their business.
We’ll cover a range of topics, including an overview of current U.S. trade policy priorities and strategies, updates on recent tariff and non-tariff changes, key developments in trade agreements, and the latest information on tariffs and refund litigation—specifically Section 122, Section 301, and Section 232, including CAPE.
Webinar Details
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When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 10-11:30 a.m.
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Where: Via Zoom | Register Here
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Bringing World-Class Marketing Expertise to Wenatchee
Thursday, October 8, 2026
INSPIRE Northwest™ is a premier marketing and communication conference to inspire creativity and knowledge, foster community, and elevate brands to be the best they can be in Washington State. This dynamic event ignites creativity, fuels innovation, and builds lasting connections among industry leaders.
Join marketing professionals, communications experts, digital designers, sales leaders, executives, business owners, students, and educators for an afternoon of transformative learning and networking.
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Office of Minority & Women's
Business Enterprises
omwbe.wa.gov
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Last Chance to Register for the 2026 Central Regional Contracting Forum
Join us for the Central Regional Contracting Forum—a premier networking and business development event designed to bring the entire construction and development community together in one place.
This forum is built for contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, designers, suppliers, and city & county permitting and public works staff—as well as anyone looking to build meaningful partnerships and stay ahead of upcoming projects across Central Washington.
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When: Thursday, September 3, 2026
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Where: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, WA
Acompáñenos el jueves 3 de septiembre de 2026 en el Yakima Convention Center para el Foro Regional de Contratación Central, un evento clave de networking y desarrollo de negocios diseñado para reunir a toda la comunidad de la construcción y el desarrollo en un solo lugar.
Este foro está dirigido a contratistas, subcontratistas, arquitectos, ingenieros, diseñadores, proveedores, y personal de ciudades y condados en áreas de permisos y obras públicas, así como a cualquier persona interesada en generar conexiones estratégicas y colaborar en proyectos actuales y futuros en la región Central de Washington.
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Cuando: Jueves, 3 de septiembre
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Dónde: Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, WA
Register Now for the 2026 Western Regional Contracting Forum
Join us for the 2026 Western Regional Contracting Forum on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 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:
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.
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Coming Soon: Notifications by Email Only
The Corporations and Charities Division will soon move to email-only delivery of filing correspondence and official notifications for businesses and charitable organizations.
Now is a great time to verify that the email address on file for your organization is up to date, so you don't miss important notices. We'll share additional details, including the effective date, in a future update.
Useful resources:
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Make Your New-Hire Reporting Easier
Federal and state laws require you to report all newly hired and rehired employees to the Division of Child Support (DCS) within 20 days.
Mailing, faxing, or emailing these reports can be burdensome and costly. You can save time and money by switching to electronic reporting. This also helps families get money faster and reduces fraud.
For Washington-based employees, you can report single or groups of new hires instantly using DCS Online on the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal. It’s easy to use and keeps a record of your reporting history.
If you already have a SAW account: Log in, select “Add Service,” look up DCS Online and select “Add”.
If you don’t have a SAW account: Visit the Secure Access Washington (SAW) portal, select “Sign Up,” and follow the steps we just mentioned to add DCS Online.
Need help? Contact DCS Employer Relations Team at 800-562-0479 or email [email protected].
Save Time & Money with Electronic Child Support Payments
RCW 26.23.065 requires employers to send payments to the Division of Child Support (DCS) electronically. It is easy to do and saves money by reducing paperwork, handling costs, and bank charges.
Our staff can assist you in considering and setting up the best option for your business needs, including the use of the DCS Online service which is free and accessible via Secure Access Washington (SAW).
Setup Help & Questions: Call the Employer Relations Team at 800-562-0479 or email [email protected].
ACH & Formatting Help: Call the Electronic Funds Transfer unit at 800-468-7422.
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Small Business Resources & Requirements (SBRR)
The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a partnership of 31 state agencies working to improve access to regulatory information, education, and agency resources for business communities across the state. Our mission is simple: Working together to provide resources and know-how to small businesses to operate in Washington State. And our vision? To establish Washington State as a leader in support, and empower small businesses to thrive.
As part of that commitment, 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.
Webinar Details
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When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
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Where: Via Zoom | Register Here
Click below visit our website and explore more.
The Small Business Guide
The Small Business Guide 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.
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How to Get It
The guide is available now for free to download. Simply reach out to us or click the button below to get your copy in any of the12 languages!
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TRAINING & EDUCATION
Click the buttons below to explore event calendars, find workshops and webinars, access on-demand training and view upcoming opportunities.
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