Your monthly news & updates |
|
Upcoming Events, Industry News, and more! |
|
November 14-20 is
Global Entrepreneurship Week
Every November, Washington celebrates entrepreneurship statewide by providing a special series of training and education opportunities to help residents start and operate a successful business. It is inspired by and builds upon Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 14-20), an international event that hosts entrepreneur activities around the world.
Entrepreneurship isn’t something you’re born with. You learn it from others. Through dozens of live, interactive events, our experts will share with you the secrets to starting and operating a successful business, whether it’s a new cafe on main street or the next e-commerce juggernaut. When paired with our new Entrepreneur Academy, you’ll be able to learn a wide range of skills, from mastering the mysteries of supply chain to sourcing capital.
To learn more about what is going on in Washington to celebrate entrepreneurs visit the Department of Commerce StartUp Washington website! |
November Events:
Christmas Market
November 4th, 2023
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
A day of shopping local boutiques and makers. Tickets are $5/ person. Will be held at The Old Flour Mill 96 Pine Street Okanogan.
NCW Tech Alliance
November 8th, 2023
10:00 AM- 11:30 AM
Join NCW Tech at the Innovator Awards, to recognize local entrepreneurs, businesses, educators, and students, located at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Click here to purchase tickets.
L&I Isolated Worker Protections
November 9th, 2023
8:30 AM- 12:30 PM
This webinar informs employers and employees about RCW 49.60.515, enacted by the Washington state legislature in 2019 in an effort to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment against certain isolated workers in the hospitality, janitorial, and security industries. Click here to register.
RESCHEDULED from 10/27
Basic Business Bookkeeping Part 2
November 17th, 2023
9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Basic Business Bookkeeping at the Economic Alliance office RSVP is required. Seats are limited. Please register here.
|
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!
|
Understanding Business Tax Basics and Tax Reporting Responsibilities.
Attend a free tax workshop to learn about your tax reporting responsibilities. Learn about tax classifications, deductions, sales tax collection, and recordkeeping requirements. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions about taxes that apply specifically to your business. Click on each topic below for more details and information.
|
Washington Employment Security Department
Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums to decrease in 2024
OLYMPIA – Benefits from Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program are a vital source of support for Washington workers. More than 125,000 individuals have claimed Paid Leave benefits in 2023 thus far, totaling more than $1 billion dollars.
Starting Jan. 1, 2024:
- The premium rate will be 0.74%. The rate for 2023 is 0.8%.
- Employers will pay 28.57% of the total premium and employees will pay 71.43% — a ratio similar to 2023.
The program is funded by premiums collected from employees and employers in Washington state. By law, the Employment Security Department (ESD) recalculates the premium rate annually in October based on program usage and premiums collected the previous year.
Businesses classified by ESD as having fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer portion of the premium, unless they opt to do so. However, they must still collect the employee premium or pay employees’ premiums on their behalf.
|
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
|
|
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
To learn more about certification click here. Contact OMWBE today at 360-664-9750 or technicalassistance@omwbe.wa.gov to start your certification process today.
|
Root to Rise Farm Business Accelerator
3 Month Acceleratory for Small and Regionally Marketing Farms in WA
If you are a producer in operation for at least 2 years who wants to plan for a great 2024 growing season, apply by NOVEMBER 17. This program is FREE, but spaces are limited and runs from January 2024-March 2024.
You will get:
- 1 on 1 monthly business coaching session
- Monthly Farm Mentor presentation
- 1 on 1 monthly farm mentor sessions
- Guided access to on-demand courses and resources matching your business needs
- Marketing plan support
- 3 hours of professional bookkeeping and accounting services
|
Operation Entrepreneur: Community Service Through Business
In honor of National Veterans Small Business Week from November 7th-9th veterans, service members, and military-connected individuals can gain invaluable insights into 3 key themes that are essential to any small business success.
Day 1: Pricing Strategies
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Day 2: Franchising
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Day 3: Building Small Business Credit
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
For more detailed information about this event click here. This will be a virtual event, click here to join and sign up for these events! |
Attention local farmers, fishers, food businesses, economic developers and those interested in supporting local food through culinary and agritourism!
The Eat Local First Collaborative invites you to a regional roundtable conversation on needs and opportunities for Washington's local food communities and available resources. Join the conversation and help grow more sustainable communities across WA!
More Information 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.
|
DID YOU KNOW??
You can now watch all of the Economic Alliance Workshops and Training Videos on demand on our YouTube channel.
|
|
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
|
|
|
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:
|
|
NEW! Early Return to Work Consultation Program
Helping you Build a Plan for your Business
The new Early Return to Work Consultation Program, can help employers build and implement a return-to-work program at their business. Services also include education employers about L&I's financial incentive programs, creating light duty opportunities, conducting ergonomic evaluations, and completing job analyses and non-claim specific job descriptions.
You can also join one of the upcoming webinars. To register click the following link:
L&I's Early Return to Work Consultation (ERTWC) team provides expertise and assistance to employers and workers, even before an on the job injury, by helping remove barriers that prevent injured workers from maintaining employment.
If you are looking:
- Limit claim costs and unexpected delays?
- Prepare for future claims?
- Create a work culture that encourages workers to return to work?
Click here to request an expert consultation to prepare for future claims.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
