Volume 21 | June 2024
Your monthly news & updates
Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more!
SAVE THE DATE!
June Events:

Quick Byte: Supply Chain Disruption
June 13th, 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.
Past Trainings Available on Demand

In case you missed our previous training on Smart Phone Photography, you can catch up here!
Congratulations to our BAT Partners the Okanogan PUD and the Okanogan County Electric Cooperative on their PWB Broadband funding awards! This funding will help bring Broadband Infrastructure to areas within Okanogan County that have been historically unserved or underserved! We are excited to see these projects receive funding to bring this critical infrastructure to the residents and small businesses in Okanogan County!
Social Media Marketing Tips for Every Small Business Owner


Make a Consistent Schedule
You don't need to post at the exact same time every day, but creating a schedule for yourself will make it easier to ensure that you're consistently delivering content.

Curate and Share Content
Your customers follow you because they like you and what you have to offer. Your fans have interests, find content that caters to those interests. A fresh variety of content can help keep your engagement up.

Cross Promote Your Social Channels
Always focus your efforts in the social channels where your customers are most likely to be found. You should make it a regular habit to cross promote your other social channels. Invite your fans and followers to join you on your other platforms. A robust social profile gives your small business a more established look when customers stumble across you online.

Mix Up Your Content
Consumers digest content in different ways. Some prefer to read, others like to listen or watch, and then there are those who want to quickly absorb information on the fly. Cater to all, mix up the type of content you post on a daily basis.

Work Your Calls to Action
Every post should be made with a purpose, whether it’s to drive shares, comments, clicks, sales, or likes. When you make a post, always include a call to action telling your audience what action you want them to take
The Small Business Owners' Guide to Loans

As a small business owner, access to financing can make or break your ability to start, run and grow your company. Click Here to see how SBA 7(a) Loans could help you and your business
Growth Opportunity

Did you know that one in four neighbors lack access to the technology to engage in essential activities like pursuing education, seeking employment opportunities, or accessing their healthcare online? Click Here to learn more
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!
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!

Please send the following information to Mason Duke.

  • Location-Physical Address
  • Lot/Building size
  • Utility- Information-electrical load capacity, AC/Heat pump etc.
  • Ceiling Height
  • Rooms, Restrooms, amenities etc
  • Asking price
Export Assistance Resource

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Commerce are here to answer your export questions. Join this webinar to learn more about the export programs that can assist you and your company in expanding your global reach whether you’re a veteran exporter or new to international trade. Click Here to get registered!
NCW Wellbeing Survey

Thriving Together NCW announced the launch of a comprehensive survey designed to collect health and wellbeing information from residents across the region. This initiative aims to gain a deeper understanding of the factors keeping individuals from reaching their full health potential. Click Here
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
Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprise

Did you know that the OMWBE posts all state level contracting opportunities on their website? Along with offering FREE bid posting. Click Here to learn more about what the OMWBE can do to help you and your small business!

Contact OMWBE today at 360-664-9750 or technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov to start your certification process today.
Training Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Commerce will be holding a Spring/Summer ScaleUp cohort. The cohort starts on June 4th.

Are you ready to grow your business? ScaleUp may be a great opportunity for you! This 9 week course featuring 1.5 hour webinars are taught by experienced business trainers that want to help your business grow!

For more information and to sign up Click Here!
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
Building Permit Reports
View a report of the most recent applied and granted Building Permits in the region.

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:
Did you know the Washington SBDC offers training listings to help elevate your skills and your businesses?

SBDC webinars and workshops provide practical, real-life solutions for some of the most common challenges faced by small business owners. They are often a valuable complement to confidential, one-to-one business advising, but you do not need to be an SBDC client to attend. Click Here


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

Are you an Employer interested in helping youth this summer?


Pre-Employment Transition Services For Youth, Employers welcome a student with Pre-Employment Training to your Business. Build partnerships and be the catalyst in training youth for the future. Free help for your business!

If this is something you would be interested in participating in, reach out to the Worksource office or email ana.soto@esd.wa.gov


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.


L&I Update
Summer 2024

Important information for employers to think about with summer youth employment fast approaching.

To learn more on "How to Hire Minors" Follow this link. Click Here

The beginning of a new academic year means that a student’s priority should be on school, and businesses need to follow the school-year hours of work limits for teen workers. Employers must also renew Parent/School Authorization forms for their teen workers before Sept. 30
Things to know

To hire anyone under the age of 18 in Washington, there are specific laws and rules employers must follow. Businesses who violate minor work restrictions can be subject to fines and civil penalties.

Employers are also subject to federal child labor requirements. When state and federal standards differ, employers must follow the one that is most protective of the minor. For more information on federal child labor requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division website at www.dol.gov/whd.

If you believe an employer has violated child labor laws, you can file a worker rights complaint through L&I.
Verify that a business can hire teens: Make sure they have the required Minor Work Permit.



For more information
Go online to www.Lni.wa.gov.
Besides the L&I’s website, contact program specialists via email at L&I or by calling 509-209-3448.