Your monthly news & updates |
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Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
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May Events:
Small Business Workshop
May 8th, 2024
9:00 AM-2:00 PM
Join us along with trainer Roxanne Best for a workshop on Strategic Planning Skills. Workshop will be held in our office at 238 E. Oak, Okanogan, WA and will also be available via zoom. Click Here to register!
Quick Byte: Scaling
May 9th, 2024
10:00 AM
Tune in to our Facebook or YouTube pages to watch this short video and learn more about planning, financial support, and culture to scale your small business.
Small Business Workshop
May 13th, 2024
1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Join us with the OMWBE to learn what steps need to be taken for women and minority owned businesses to get certified for contracting with the State and Federal Government and what the certification can do for you and your small business. Click Here to register!
Quick Byte: Intellectual Property
May 23rd, 2024
10:00 am
Tune in to our Facebook or YouTube pages to watch the short video and learn more on Intellectual Property.
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Past Trainings Available on Demand
In case you missed our previous training on Smart Phone Photography, you can catch up here!
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Online Business Marketing Tips for Every Small Business Owner
Optimize Your Website
Optimizing your website can improve its visibilty on search engine results. As a result your site will be more likely to rank towards the top of relevant search results.
Create Quality Content
Quality content is written, visual, audio, or video marketing content that's accurate, well-researched, and aligns with website visitors' search intent.
Leverage Social Media Platforms
Social media marketing can make your small business more visible on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, LinkedIn, and X. By marketing your small business on social media, you have the potential to reach 5.04 billion people.
Engage is Email Marketing
With an email marketing strategy, you promote your small business via email newsletters and offers. Email marketing campaigns have some of the highest return on investment metrics of any marketing channel.
Invest in Professional Branding
Professional branding makes your small business memorable, which can make customers more likely to buy from you and recommend you to friends and family.
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Grant Opportunity
AgWest Farm Credit is accepting applications for the New Producer Grant program. The grant provides $15,000 in start-up funds to successful applicants and the deadline to apply is May 31, 2024 Click Here
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Training Opportunity
Expand your Digital Navigator skills with our upcoming advanced trainings.
Technology Basic Training. - Learn what a Digital Navigator is in your organization, community, or with your friends and family. Click 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 Kaelyn if you are interested!
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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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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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Small Business Survey 2024
Please take the time to fill out this brief survey to help us at the Okanogan County Economic Alliance better understand your Small Business needs.
Follow this link to start the survey:
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Child Care Survey
OCCDA know that parents all over struggle to meet their need of child care. Please fill out the survey linked below to help us understand your needs in Omak and Okanogan so we can help make changes to better meet the needs of our community. Click Here
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Credit Building & Repair
Join the Okanogan County Community Action Council for an informative event on building and repairing your credit. Whether you're looking to improve your credit score or fix past credit issues, this event is for you! Learn valuable tips and strategies from our Financial Assistance Services Case Managers. Don't miss this opportunity to take control of your financial future. Click Here
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Online Training Opportunity
Did you know that Wenatchee Valley Colleges offers a Intro to Quickbooks class online?
Check out this link for more information:
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OMWBE Waives Certification
Fees until June 2024
The Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) is celebrating 40 years of service by waiving certification fees until June 2024. Small businesses throughout the state of Washington are invited to get certified for FREE!
Renewal fees have also been waived for businesses that are already certified.
Why should YOU certify your business?
- Be visible to prime and general contractors
- Gain access to valuable government contracts
- Network with contractors and governments agencies
Contact OMWBE today at 360-664-9750 or technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov to start your certification process today.
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The Small Business Guide
The Small Business Guide is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business. Whether you are starting your business, managing a new business, or expanding your business, you'll find valuable information and resources. Click Here
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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!
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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Do you have questions about Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries workers compensation account for your business?
The Washington Small Business Development Center can help! They offer free, no-cost webinars to help up get an overview on risk classes, rates, managing claims, services L&I provides to employers, and when you need to cover independent contractors with workers' comp. For more information Click Here
What can the SBDC do for your existing business?
- Assistance with Marketing you business.
- Cash flow management.
- Accessing capital
- Business expansion.
- Exporting to international markets.
- Human Resource (HR) management
- Business sustainability.
- Business resilience.
- Succession Planning
- Market Intelligence.
The Economic Alliance has a SBDC Certified Business Advisor on staff to meet with you!
To schedule an appointment, give us a call at: (509) 826 5107
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Job seekers, do you know that Worksource can do to help you?
Resume and Cover Letters
Successful job seekers take the time to learn what employers want. Learn how two of the four primary pieces of job-search-related communication convey to a prospective employer who you are, what you know and what you have to offer. Learn which résumé and cover letter formats best display your skills, knowledge, and abilities in order to attract employers and lead to more interviews!
Interviewing Techniques
You might have the best résumé ever, but if you don’t interview well, it won’t matter. Being able to handle a job interview is a necessity for any job seeker. Knowing what employers are looking for and being prepared are absolute musts. In this workshop, you will learn valuable interviewing tips and have the chance to practice answers to frequently asked—and sometimes difficult—questions in a supportive, realistic environment.
Job Search Strategies
Learn different approaches and ways to do job search, compare methods, learn strategies for accessing and contacting employers. In this workshop we’ll discuss several strategies for keeping up with labor market trends, targeting employers, and developing a solid career plan.
(SFS) Strategies for Success: 6 modules on Work Concepts, Health and Well-Being, Communication, person Strength Builders, Community engagement. Each module is four days Monday-Thursday. The series is ongoing, and you can start any week.
Worksource Okanogan also has other programs and services to help employers meet their workforce needs. Click Here
Contact Worksource today to learn more at 509-826-7310.
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Spring 2024
Changes to the states electrical code took effect as of April.
To learn more of the "Electrical Currents" Follow this link. Click Here
These changes affect sections of Washington Administrative Code chapter 296-46B. These involve everything from wiring and protection to optional standby systems.
Things to know
Electrical work in Washington requires a permit and inspection. However, there are a few exceptions. If you're not sure if your work requires an electrical permit and inspection, check Chapter 296-46B-901 WAC.
Electrical permits must be purchased by the electrical contractor or the property owner or homeowner who will actually be doing the work. If you are hiring an electrical contractor, they must purchase their own permits for the work they do on your property.
You must get your electrical permit and inspection from the correct jurisdiction.
For more information
Besides the L&I’s website, contact program specialists via email at L&I or by calling 509-209-3448.
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