Funding will support at least 22 projects across Washington state focused on increasing programs and services to help meet the needs of underserved communities, businesses, entrepreneurs OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced 22 projects conditionally awarded Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grants ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The total $32.5 million awarded will fund a variety of activities, including: small business incubators and accelerators,…
Tag Archives: small business
OLYMPIA, WA – Time, trust and technology are key to ensuring small businesses farthest from opportunity in Washington state have the right mix of technical assistance and financial resources to thrive. A groundbreaking report by the Washington State Department of Commerce found that although technical assistance providers do offer the right mix of resources, minority or women business owners and those located in rural areas often do not have access…
New Social Equity in Cannabis Technical Assistance Mentorship Program designed to help communities historically impacted by high poverty and enforcement of cannabis prohibitions OLYMPIA, WA – In 2020, the Washington State Legislature determined that additional efforts are necessary to reduce barriers to entry to the cannabis industry for individuals and communities most adversely impacted by the enforcement of cannabis-related laws. As a result, the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force…
National Development Council and Commerce receive award for Washington Small Business FlexFund loan program SEATTLE, Washington — The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has recognized Washington’s Small Business Flex Fund with an industry award for its positive contributions to the state’s economic recovery. Earlier this week at the IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards, the National Development Council (NDC) and the Washington State Department of Commerce shared a Gold Award…
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (August 23, 2022) – Greater Seattle Partners in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Port of Seattle, and Coupang is hosting a conference offering small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to learn more about growth through exporting with an emphasis on the South Korean market. Small Business Growth and Resiliency Through Export Opportunities in U.S.-Korea Trade is Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT…
Another round of state pandemic relief grants on the way, with focus on the arts, heritage and science sectors and businesses relying on in-person conventions hosted in Washington OLYMPIA, WA – Applications for the Working Washington Grants: Round 5 and new Convention Center Grants programs open Aug. 17. Together, these programs will distribute $75 million in pandemic relief grants to eligible small businesses and nonprofits across Washington. The Department of…
Grants from $34.5-mllion Small Business Innovation Fund will support special programs to spur small business recovery, startup and growth OLYMPIA, WA – Non-profit organizations with a history of assisting Washington state small businesses are invited to apply for grants up to $5 million each from the new Small Business Innovation Fund. The Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking to fund proposals that will offer community-based programs and services tailored…
Linda Womack to lead small business and community support; Shannon Halberstadt appointed to creative economy industry sector post OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown recently announced two new appointments to key leadership roles in the growing agency’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. In a new industry sector lead position, Shannon Halberstadt came on board June 1 as Director of Creative Economy sector development. Expanding and…
Free, self-directed learning series tailored for creative occupations teaches essential skills to build a successful small business OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce has launched its new Creatives Academy, the third in a series of self-directed educational academies for small business owners. Designed to teach the essential skills needed to turn a creative pursuit into a successful small business, the academy contains 11 tracks. Lessons range from developing…
Small Business Resiliency Network adding new members to assist diverse entrepreneurs and business owners, promote opportunities for equitable economic recovery statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting community-based nonprofit organizations interested in joining the agency’s Small Business Resiliency Network. Network organizations provide culturally- and linguistically- appropriate outreach, translation, education and other assistance to small business owners from historically marginalized communities. “The pandemic revealed enormous disparities…