Washington State is well known for its coffee, apples, software, wine and airplanes.  The list of goods and services produced by the Evergreen State is always growing because we are committed to being the best state in the nation to do business.

 

Commerce’s Business Services Division stands at the ready to assist you in all respects. Our team of business experts can help you with site selection and permitting, make business introductions, help you expand your markets through exporting and international trade and provide vital market intelligence to help you make informed business decisions.

 

Following is a brief overview of our business services.

 

Businesses inside and outside the state who need to perform due diligence on site selection can call the Business Services Division’s team of experts to discuss their search requirements. We can guide you through the process, serve as a liaison between your company and other government agencies and streamline the selection and permitting process. We can also help you get the data you need related to utilities and rates as well as utility incentive programs that can lower your energy costs even more. There are a variety of incentives available to businesses to encourage you to expand, grow or locate facilities in Washington State. Our team will be glad to explain the various incentive programs that are offered to your industry or business line, which may include B&O tax savings, energy efficiency rebates or tax breaks for investments in equipment, new technologies or energy sources.

 

Washington State also offers businesses to take advantage of our Innovation Partnership Zones. IPZs partner research, workforce training and private sector businesses in close proximity to promote close collaboration in research efforts that will lead to new technologies, products, businesses and jobs. They are aligned by sector and include: green IT, medical devices, clean marine transportation, alternative energies, semi-conductor and display, viticulture, water management and aerospace.

 

Washington is a great place to invest in and the state makes it easy for foreign entities to do businesses in the state. This includes the EB5 program, which offers foreign investors a pathway to citizenship. Washington State has 13 regional investment centers that can help you apply for the federal program. For more information visit the official EB-5 site.

 

The Business Services Division can connect you to an array of programs designed to provide businesses with financing. See our Business Assistance page for more information about financing, including SBCI, float loans, industrial revenue bonds and CERB loans.

 

Washington State small businesses and entrepreneurs are the economic engines that drive the state’s economy. In fact, 60 to 80% of all new jobs are created in small businesses. Our expert team of business experts can help you grow and expand your business through innovative programs, services training and new opportunities abroad. We can also assist with workforce training and education programs, ensuring that your employees are trained in the technologies and skills you need most to compete in today’s marketplace.

 

More than 95% of customers can be found outside of the United States. To help you expand into new markets, BSD’s trade experts provide a wide range of services, including advocacy to remove roadblocks, consulting, partner introductions in overseas markets, risk mitigation, market research, financial assistance with trade initiatives, business matchmaking, and export assistance.

 

Trade missions and international trade shows are an excellent way to access key meetings with new partners as well as introductions to government officials. BSD’s team can help you participate in these missions and shows, including matchmaking and appointment setting for one-on-one meetings with decision makers that in many cases aren’t possible otherwise. The export voucher program can even provide you with up to $5,000 in support for missions and show costs as well as other export-related activities.

 

If you’re interested in trading with China, our trade team can help you with low-risk entry that includes marketing development, shared office space and administrative support through the China Accelerator Program. The trade office also has foreign representatives in key markets who can provide on-the-ground support for Washington State businesses interested in exporting or growing their exports.

 

For more information on Business Services Division services and programs, call 206-256-6100 or email BusDevInfo@commerce.wa.gov .

 

You can also visit ChooseWashington.com, which has more information about doing business in and with Washington State.