Your monthly news & updates |
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Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
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February Events:
Twisp Works: Customer Service Best Practices
February 5th, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
This workshop is a good fit for employers, managers, and employees. Come learn how you and your business can put its best foot forward. Workshop will be located in the YourSpace Meeting Room on the Twisp works campus. Click here to register.
Small Biz 101 Quick Byte: Market Research
February 8th, 2024
10:00 AM
A "Quick Byte" is a short video presentation on topics to help your small business. Our next Quick byte will cover Market Research.
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Business Impact: Food Biz Week
February 8th, 2024
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The Food Biz Basics class offers a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of starting and running a food business. Topics discussed will be: commercial kitchen options, licensing and permitting, branding and marketing, selling through diverse sales channels, costing and pricing, and funding strategies. For more information and registration click here.
Washington State Department of Agriculture
February 13th, 2024
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
The WSDA Regional Markets Program is visiting Okanogan County at the Department of Transportation- 28862 US-97 Okanogan. This is a great opportunity to learn more about their program and technical assistance provided! Click here to register.
Credit Conference
February 20th, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Learn and understand how business and personal credit affect you, credit reports and how to improve your score. Register here to attend virtual webinar.
L&I Essential for Business Webinar
February 22nd, 2024
10:00 AM
Learn how to access a range of L&I resources designed to help your business save time and money. And various ways L&I can help you keep your workforce safe and healthy. Click here to register.
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New Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted by Congress in 2021, requires reporting companies, both foreign and domestic, that file incorporation paperwork with secretaries of state or tribal authorities to also file BOI with FinCEN.
The registry is designed to assist FinCEN and law enforcement in understanding who owns corporations and shell companies to help locate and capture parties responsible for money laundering, financing terrorist groups, and other financial crime.
The reporting requirements are starting January 1, 2024, corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or any other entities created in the U.S. by filing with the Secretary of State are obligated to report information about individuals who own or control the company.
While the reporting mandate is broad, there are 23 exemptions outlined in the legislation, which includes large operating companies, public companies, banks, credit unions, broker-dealers, securities exchanges, investment advisers, venture capital fund advisers, insurance companies, Commodity Exchange Act registered entities, accounting firms, public utilities, tax-exempt entities, inactive entities, and other very specific exempt business types.
Large operating companies are defined by FinCEN as having 20 or more full-time U.S.-based employees, having physical operations in the United States, and having generated more than $5 million in gross receipts or sales on their most recent federal income tax return. It is crucial for businesses to thoroughly understand these exemptions to determine whether they qualify for relief from filing requirements.
Companies formed before January 1, 2024, have until January 1, 2025, to submit their initial beneficial ownership reports. On the other hand, entities created on or after January 1, 2024, are subject to a tighter reporting timeline.
Reporting Deadlines:
- For companies created before January 1, 2024: Reports must be submitted by January 1, 2025.
- For companies created on or after January 1, 2024: Reports must be submitted within 90 days of creation.
For more information and frequently asked questions about Beneficial Ownership reporting click here.
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Have You Looked To See When Your Expiration Date Is?
Annual Reports May Be Filed Up to 180 Days Early! To ensure your business's smooth operation, filing your annual report is crucial. You can avoid delinquency fees and prevent the loss of your business. The Washington Secretary of State office allows you to file your report 180 days before the due date.
We encourage customers to use a calendar reminder every year to get their report in well before to mitigate any risk of delinquency or loss of status/business.
Your business' expiration day will always remain the last day of the month it first formed, registered, or incorporated. Most Annual Reports update the business’s record immediately.
What is an Annual Report?
Every year, foreign and domestic businesses are required to file an annual report to keep their UBI active and remain in good standing.
The Annual Report is due by the last day of the month in which the business was originally formed. For example, if the business is incorporated on March 4th of this year, its Annual Report is due by March 31st the following year and each year thereafter. Failure to file an Annual Report will result in a delinquent business status and eventually administrative dissolution until the report is filed.
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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 if you are interested!
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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 best understand your Small Business needs.
Follow this link to start survey:
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Grants for Covid Impacted Businesses
The Economic Alliance has limited grant funding for businesses in the hospitality, retail and restaurant industries who are still recovering from the COVID 19 pandemic, and/or who have recently been impacted by the recent Covid resurgence and it has impacted your business operations.
These funds are made available through the Counties ARPA funding for Covid impacted businesses that the Economic Alliance facilitates.
If you have previously been awarded funding through this program you will not be eligible to apply again.
Contact Roni at for more information, including the application and grant guidelines.
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2024 Investment Competition.
Washington-State based companies can apply to compete for a $150,000+ investment award during the Flywheel Investment Conference on April 17-19, 2024 in downtown Wenatchee, Washington.
Flywheel provides visibility, resources, and valuable connections for early-stage companies seeking funding. In addition to the investment offering, there is also a $50,000 relocation offer, a $5,000 cash prize, and more!
Applications now open and close on February 16. There is no fee to apply to compete. All companies who submit a completed application will receive 50% off conference tickets and recognition regardless of placement.
Members of the FLYWHEEL CONFERENCE 2024 FUND LLC will select six finalists who will compete live in Wenatchee for investment awards and prizes. Finalists receive free tickets to the conference, a two-night hotel stay, and complimentary tours. Learn more by clicking here.
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OMWBE Waives Certification
Fees until 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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Public Works Certification coming soon!
OMWBE is launching a new program for businesses seeking work on public works contracts. Public Works Small Business Enterprise (PWSBE) certification will be available to certified businesses in March 2024.
This program is race- and gender-neutral, and will use the same criteria for economic disadvantage as our State Certification program.
What your business can do to get ready:
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Working Families Tax Credit for workers!
Applications for the Working Families Tax Credit are open. Many eligible individuals did not apply last year for different reasons, one of them being the newness of the program. In 2024, they have increased outreach efforts and partnered with community organizations around the state to bring news about WFTC.
Know somebody that may qualify for a refund or want to check if you qualify? Use the quick Eligibility Assistant.
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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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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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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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Employers, we want to hear from you!
Today’s careers require better skills. We help you build them. SkillSource leads workforce development activities throughout North Central Washington to help residents of all ages build new careers and help businesses develop strong teams. As we plan for the next four years of serving North Central Washington, we would like to hear from you. Your honest feedback will help us understand how best to grow and build our efforts.
This survey should take about five to ten minutes to complete. Please forward this email with the survey link to anyone you know (friends, family, coworkers, etc.) who would be interested in providing feedback about the regional workforce system.
Thank you!
Worksource 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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Recent Legislative Changes to the Farm Internship Program
Recent updates to the Farm Internship Program expand opportunities for farmers and those wanting a farm or ranching future. This message describes the program, the changes, and how to participate.
About the program
In 2010, the Legislature authorized the Farm Internship Pilot Program in Washington State. This first-of-its-kind program allowed interns to work on small farms in selected Washington counties.
The pilot program provided farmers extra help with a break on workers’ comp. Interns learned farming practices, gained hands-on experience, all from an approved curriculum. Participating interns receive industrial insurance protections while at the farm, but no requirement for receiving pay.
Changes
The program has gone through several changes over the years. The most recent, from the 2023 legislative session, occurred from passage of Substitute Senate Bill 5156. The changes include:
- Permanent: The Farm Internship Program is permanent and is no longer a pilot, or project, with an expiration date.
- The Farm Internship Program is for small farms: The program is for farms that generate less than $265,000 in annual sales per year.
- Expanded statewide: All 39 counties in Washington state are now eligible to participate in the Farm Internship Program.
- New requirements for farms located in the 19 counties that recently became eligible to participate in the program:
- If the farm employs more than one intern, the farm must employ at least one intern with direct experience as a migrant farmworker. This includes a parent or grandparent has direct migrant farmworker experience.
- If a farm receives only one application, the rule changes. The migrant farmworker requirement doesn’t apply.
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This rule applies to the following counties: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Clallam, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Whitman.
- Encouragement in education: Under the law, farmers will encourage interns to participate in career and technical education or other educational content with courses in agriculture or related programs of study at a community or technical college.
How to participate
For farm application information, or interested participants, go online to www.Lni.wa.gov/FarmInternship. Besides the L&I’s website, contact program specialists via email at L&I or by calling 509-209-3448.
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