Your monthly news & updates |
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Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
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September Workshop Schedule:
Business Interview 101
October 5th, 2023
10:00 AM-10:30 AM
Join our Facebook Live Interview with an Expert. This live event will be focused on Branding Essentials with Marsallai Quick, small business owner of Tagline Creative Business Design.
Okanogan Harvest Fest
October 7th, 2023
9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Featured Events: Vendors, Pet Parade, Fun Run, Kid Games, Pig Roast BBQ & More.
Supernova "Cele-Bacon" Event
October 7th, 2023
10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Join the NCWEDD for a brunch celebration. There will be ONE out of five, $10,000 prize winner. At the Old Flour Mill & Coulee Farms Event Center. Please RSVP to admin@ncwedd.com
Basic Business Bookkeeping Part 2
October 27th, 2023
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Basic Business Bookkeeping at the Economic Alliance office RSVP is required. Seats are limited. Please register here.
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In partnership with NCW Tech Alliance, the Economic Alliance now has available a limited number of Chromebooks to give to local businesses who need computers to get their business online, or to help them operate their business more efficiently. Please contact Martha or Nate if you are interested!
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Starting October 3rd at 10:00 AM-11:30 AM a Market Ready Program will begin. This program supports established small businesses and entrepreneurs across Washington state who currently sell or are interested in selling at markets or tabling pop-ups. This is a virtual 4-week program and includes on-demand and live sessions. Register here to begin program! |
Washington Employment Security Department
Employer Information:
Preparing Q3 reporting changes requirements taking effect on October 1, 2023
Report for WA Cares
When submitting your Q3 wage report this October, you will now report Paid Leave and WA Cares premiums from employees at the same time on the same report. There will be two separate payments, one for each program, because each program has a separate trust fund.
No Payroll Report
If you do not have payroll to report, you will now need to report "no payroll" through your employer account.
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Attention Owners
of Commercial Buildings or Lots!
The Economic Alliance is compiling a list of vacant properties that are for sale, lease or rent throughout Okanogan County. We receive several inquires throughout the year from individuals who are looking for a locations to start/move their business to. We would love to add yours to our list!
- Location-Physical Address
- Lot/Building size
- Utility- Information-electrical load capacity, AC/Heat pump etc.
- Ceiling Height
- Rooms, Restrooms, amenities etc
- Asking price
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Meet our Newest
Team Member!
Hello everyone! I am Nathan Debar, a new Economic Development Specialist with the Economic Alliance and I could not be happier to have joined the team. As an entrepreneurial minded individual who has had their hand, (and foot) in start-ups and micro-businesses, I am ready to assist our local small businesses and entrepreneurs navigate the economic sea and find that beacon in the mist. As a relative newbie to the area, I am looking forward to meeting and working with the community and driving economic strength throughout Okanogan County.
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Washington's Draft Digital Equity Plan
Opportunity to provide your input !
Washington's Draft Digital Equity Plan identifies the needs and barriers of getting Washingtonians connected to the internet. The 60-day public comment period is open through October 31, 2023.
This feedback will inform the state's final Digital Equity Plan, which will be submitted to the NTIA by December 1, 2023.
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Funding Opportunity
COVID impacts recovery grants
In collaboration with ArtsWA, we are excited to announce the COVID Impacts Recovery Grant. This grant will provide one-time grants up to $5,000 to eligible Washington businesses and nonprofits in the arts, heritage, and science sectors to provide funding for recovery from pandemic economic impacts.
We invite you to learn more here and share this opportunity with anyone who you think may be interested.
Applications are open now through Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 5:00 PM
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Are you interested in making a difference in Okanogan County??
The Economic Alliance is now recruiting for new Board Members! We recently added new positions to our board, and we would love to have additional small business representatives join us from throughout the county! Please email Roni or call 509-826-5107 to learn more!
We have also facilitated the CCT and Okanogan County Broadband Action Team since 2019! If you are interested in participating in this great group of people who are committed to bringing broadband infrastructure to all the residents in Okanogan County, please email Roni today!
We have 2 other active sub committees that you can join!
- Vacant/Abandoned Building Committee
- Business Education Committee
If you are interested in participating or learning more about these committees, give us a call at 509-826-5107
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Building Permit Reports
View a report of the most recent applied and granted Building Permits in the region.
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DID YOU KNOW??
You can now watch all of the Economic Alliance Workshops and Training Videos on demand on our YouTube channel.
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Do you need help starting, growing, or funding sources for your business?
Our SBDC Advisor is here to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.
The Economic Alliance’s SBDC advisor Lew Blakeney provides one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising on all phases of small business development throughout Okanogan County and Colville Reservation.
To schedule an appointment, give us a call at: (509) 826 5107
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Worker Training Resources
for Small Businesses!
Attention Employers! Worksource Okanogan has several different programs for employers:
They can assist with:
- Free job posting
- No fees to post jobs or search for talent
- More than a job board
- Local recruiters with relationships listen and deliver real solutions
- Recruit. Retain. Resolve.
- Hiring events, training, tax credits, and more
- Workers for every type of job
- WorkSource connects you to specialized and general talent—all in one place
They can help! Give them a call at 509-826-7310 or stop by and see them at their office located at 126 S. Main in Omak.
To learn more about their small business services and programs offered go to:
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Beware of Contractor Scams
TUMWATER — Disasters like our state’s recent wildfires often bring out scam artists itching to make a buck from homeowners desperate to quickly rebuild or repair their homes.
L&I requires construction contractors to be registered and have liability insurance, a business license, and a bond to provide some financial protection if something goes wrong with the project.
It’s easy to verify contractor registration at ProtectMyHome.net or by calling L&I at 1-800-647-0982 and pressing 2.
Check out contractors before hiring
“As tempting as it is to go with the first person you find, it’s crucial to check their background before you hire a contractor,” said Melissa McBride, L&I’s chief of contractor compliance.
“Sadly, far too many homeowners who’ve been cheated by unregistered contractors tell us they wish they would have checked first to see if they were registered with L&I.”
One frequent scam is for fast-talking “contractors” to show up uninvited at a homeowner’s house, and offer to do work. They take a deposit, do a shoddy job, or partial work before raising their previously quoted price. Sometimes, they just take the money and run.
Get three written bids and a well-written contract
State law requires contractors be registered not only to construct and repair buildings, but to demolish and remove burned-out structures, repair fences, install landscaping, and any other work that “adds to or subtracts from real estate.”
Besides verifying contractors are registered, homeowners should also:
- Get three written bids.
- Check contractors’ referrals and online reputation.
- Get a well-written contract.
- Never pay in full until the job is done.
Report contractor fraud
L&I enforces the state’s construction contractor registration laws, which are meant to protect consumers and level the playing field for legitimate businesses. Report a fraudulent or unregistered contractor at Lni.wa.gov/ReportAContractor or call 1-888-811-5974.
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