National Development Council, Commerce receive award for Small Business loan program

National Development Council, Commerce receive award for Small Business loan program

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…

Local businesses invited to tap into global growth strategies at Sept. 8 exporting conference featuring expert trade panels

Local businesses invited to tap into global growth strategies at Sept. 8 exporting conference featuring expert trade panels

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…

Applications open August 17: $75 million for Washington small businesses and nonprofits

Applications open August 17: $75 million for Washington small businesses and nonprofits

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…

Commerce offers up to $5 million to non-profit organizations assisting underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses

Commerce offers up to $5 million to non-profit organizations assisting underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses

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…

Commerce adds leaders for small business support and creative economy sector development

Commerce adds leaders for small business support and creative economy sector development

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…

Turning creative pursuits into livelihoods: Washington Department of Commerce launches new Creatives Academy

Turning creative pursuits into livelihoods: Washington Department of Commerce launches new Creatives Academy

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…

Contract opportunity: Commerce seeks nonprofit organizations to expand business support efforts with historically marginalized communities

Contract opportunity: Commerce seeks nonprofit organizations to expand business support efforts with historically marginalized communities

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…

Find Ventures and Department of Commerce open applications for new Equitable Innovations Accelerator

Find Ventures and Department of Commerce open applications for new Equitable Innovations Accelerator

Groundbreaking new program seeks to fund tech start-up founders from underserved communities SEATTLE, WA — Find Ventures, a Washington state-based nonprofit whose mission is to fund entrepreneurs, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, today launched a new Equitable innovations Accelerator to fuel the start-up community at the earliest stage of business development. This program aims to make “entrepreneurship for all” a reality by prioritizing entrepreneurs from underserved…

Commerce awards $2.6 million to help businesses affected by Canadian border closure

Commerce awards $2.6 million to help businesses affected by Canadian border closure

Over 200 businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-related border restrictions to receive Working Washington Border Business Relief grants OLYMPIA, WA – Continuing its efforts to provide financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits severely affected by the pandemic, the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced  $2.6 million in Border Business Relief grants to 206 businesses and nonprofits in 10 counties that rely on an open border for customers, tourism and…

Global Entrepreneurship Month offers free trainings, support for small businesses in November

Global Entrepreneurship Month offers free trainings, support for small businesses in November

Leading professionals to conduct online sessions to spur new business starts and inspire entrepreneurship statewide OLYMPIA, WA — As Washington state turns the corner on the pandemic, record numbers of entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses. Compared to 2020, new business starts are up 19.8% statewide, increasing from 55,539 through October last year to 69,301 new businesses this year. (US Census Bureau Business Formations Dashboard). With that in mind, the…