Your monthly news & updates |
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Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
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September Workshop Schedule:
Digital Navigator Tech & telehealth Basics
September 6th: 3-7pm
September 7th: 9:30-1:30 pm
Register here for a comprehensive in person 3-hour course designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills to become Digital Navigators. Course is available for two different days September 6th and September 7th.
Understanding the Changes in Agricultural Overtime Laws
September 6th, 2023
10:00 AM
Register here for a virtual presentation of the Employment Standards Outreach Team covering the new rules and regulations dealing with Agricultural Overtime.
Business Fraud Prevention
September 14th, 2023
Business Expert Session on Business Fraud Prevention webinar starts at 11:30 am-1:00 pm Click here to register.
NCW Tech Help Pop-Up
September 20th, 2023
9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Digital Navigators will offer in-person basic tech assistance to community members with guidance on how to connect online, where to find a local Internet provider, and how to access digital skills resources. Please contact Martha to sign up or call our office at 509-826-5107.
Basic Business Bookkeeping
September 29th, 2023
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Basic Business Bookkeeping at the Economic Alliance office RSVP is required. Please contact Martha to sign up. |
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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The Washington State Public Works Board approved $4.37 million for pre-construction projects in eight Washington communities. The awards support roads and streets, domestic water, sanitary sewer, and solid waste, recycling and organics infrastructure.
The Board considered eight pre-construction applications from local jurisdictions seeking a total of $4,368,630, all of which passed the minimum scoring threshold to be eligible for funding. The Board approved full funding and conditionally awarded the following project loans or combination of grants and loans:
Benton County – a $500,000 loan to the City of Richland for the Horn Rapids Landfill Expansion and Organics Processing project.
Clark County – a $625,000 loan to the City of Ridgefield for S. Royle Rd. Improvements project.
Douglas County – a $1 million loan/grant to the City of East Wenatchee for the N. Kentucky Avenue Corridor Improvements project.
King County – a $566,500 loan to the Southwest Suburban Sewer District for the Salmon Creek Sewer Basin Rehabilitation and Repair project.
Kitsap County – a $1 million loan/grant to the City of Port Orchard for the Bay Street Lift Station Replacement project.
Okanogan County: City of Pateros – a $100,000 loan/grant for the Pateros Water System Plan. Town of Twisp – a $150,000 loan/grant for the Twisp Water System Plan.
Walla Walla County – a $427,130 loan to the City of College Place for the Reservoir #4 Design project.
“Infrastructure is fundamental and the foundation of healthy, safe, and vibrant communities,” said Board Chair Kathryn Gardow. “The Washington State Public Works Board is delighted to work with our communities and partner agencies to be a reliable and affordable source of funding and technical assistance to maintain the health of our state’s infrastructure systems."
The purpose of the Public Works Traditional Pre-Construction program is to accelerate project readiness to proceed to construction. This competitive program is open continuously, with quarterly funding awards until all allocated funds are exhausted.
After this awards cycle, $2,906,370 pre-construction resources remain. This is the first of four planned quarterly pre-construction awards in state fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). The next round of pre-construction awards is expected in October.
For more information on Public Works Board programs and funding opportunities, visit pwb.wa.gov.
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National Farm Safety and Health Week 2023
September 18, 2023- Equipment and Rural Roadway Safety
September 19, 2023- Health &Wellness
September 20, 2023- Priority Populations
September 21, 2023- Confined Spaces
September 22, 2023- Brain Health
History
The 2019 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 573 fatalities, or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council.
Monthly Mental Health Innovations Exchange-AgriStress Response Network: The purpose of these monthly meetings is to engage innovative ideas and strategies to serve the farming and ranching community in the area of mental health. Please extend invitations to colleagues and other professionals that are interested in this subject. Next meeting is September 6th starts at 10:00 AM register here.
Agrisafe Network offers online events and webinars for the Agricultural community for more events click here.
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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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For Immediate Release
The Economic Alliance is now accepting Pre-Application letter of intent to apply from organizations, entities, municipalities, counties, private businesses and individuals in Okanogan County and the Colville Confederated Tribe for the 2024 annual Okanogan County Public Infrastructure and Community and Economic development project prioritization process.
Interested applicants are asked to first submit a one-page Pre-Application letter of intent to apply that briefly explains the type of project, scope of the project, timeline and outlines the anticipated request of the Economic Alliance. This is being done to ensure that applicants are eligible and soliciting appropriate support from the Economic Alliance prior to completion of the full application.
Submitted Pre-Application letters of intent to apply will be reviewed by the Economic Alliance infrastructure committee and appropriate projects will be invited to submit a full application. Projects will be ranked into 2 categories Public Infrastructure Projects and Community and Economic Development Projects, in part, based on the following: measurable economic benefits, measurable community benefits, fully developed plan, project readiness, workforce development and alignment with Okanogan County and Economic Alliance goals and objectives, local and regional support.
An application readiness workshop will be held on September 13th, from 1:30 PM-3:00 PM, a RSVP will be required to attend.
The Economic Alliance facilitates the Okanogan County Public Infrastructure and Community and Economic Development application and review process on an annual basis and provides the Okanogan County Commissioners with a prioritized master list of projects. The deadline for the Pre-Application letters on intent to apply will be 5pm, September 29th, 2023.
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Okanogan County Transit Authority
Opportunity to provide your input !
Okanogan Council of Governments (OCOG) is seeking public comment on the Draft 2024-2029 Regional Transportation Improvement Program.
Comments should be sent to clerk@okanogantransit.com. Comments are due before the next OCOG meeting, which will be held on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM.
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Save the Date! 2023 Biz Fair
The Washington Small Business Fair will be September 23rd, 2023. Biz Fair is the event that all current and aspiring small business owners should attend. Learn about free resources and technical assistance to help you start or grow your business. You'll be able to attend educational seminars led by industry experts and meet representatives from state and federal agencies. Biz Fair will be an in-person event, hosted on the same day in both Pierce and Spokane counties.
Location, program schedule, keynote speakers, and registration details coming soon at bizfair.org
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Hispanic Heritage Month
Begins September 15th and ends October 15th. SBA celebrates the impact Hispanic entrepreneurs have had on the U.S. economy. We also commemorate some of the many ways Hispanics have influenced and contributed to American society.
Nearly one in four new businesses is Hispanic-owned. And nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States contribute more than $800 billion to the American economy annually.
There are more than 300,000 Hispanic-owned, employer businesses located across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These enterprises employ at least one employee other than the owner.
Hispanic employer businesses employ about 1 million workers, with more than $100 billion in annual payroll. The number of Hispanic-owned businesses that employ at least one employee other than the owner increased by 14% between 2012 and 2017 — more than twice as fast as the national average.
In the decade preceding the pandemic, the number of Hispanic business owners increased 34% compared to an increase of just 1% among non-Hispanic business owners.
SBA and its Resource Partners help entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and business opportunities.
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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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ITIN Now Accepted for Contractor Registration
Applicants can now use another form of identification instead of a Social Security Number to register as a contractor.
A new state law allows the use of Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN) to register as a construction contractor with L&I.
The previous requirement to have a Social Security card prevented many people from registering if they didn’t have the number or didn’t want to provide it. Removing that barrier will make it easier to do business with L&I.
It’s one of many changes coming to Contractor Registration laws under the recently passed HB 1534. Read about all the changes in the Final Bill Report
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