Economic and Business Resilience Updates

WFTC Applications are Now Open

Find out if you qualify for the Working Families Tax Credit using the quick Eligibility Assistant. Individuals and families can apply online.

Application options:

• Online using MyDOR, a secure filing system.

• E-File through federal tax preparation software or professional tax preparers.

• By mail using a paper application, available in 13 languages.

Get help filing your application and more:

Explore the updated resources page for applicants and community partners. Here are a few items to check out:    

• Applicants – Find a local organization in your community
• Businesses & Organizations – view our Community Partners Toolkit
• Tax Preparers – view our Tax prep software & resources

Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises

Why Get Certified?

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) certifies small businesses owned by women, minorities, and socially and economically disadvantage persons. The Department of Veterans Affairs certifies businesses owned by veterans. The Department of Enterprise Services has an online directory of small businesses.

What are the advantages of being certified with OMWBE?

• Being certified may increase your marketability.

• State and local agencies set participation goals and recognize that improving opportunities for small and minority, wome, and veteran-owned businesses drives innovation and economic growth and translates to stronger Washington communities.

• The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) distributes federal funds to finance state, local, public transportation, and airport transportation projects. Recipients of USDOT funds must set an overall goal for participation of certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.

• State certification makes you eligible to apply for the Linked Deposit Program, which can decrease interest rates on qualified small business loans by 2 percent.

Dept. of Enterprise Services

IT Project Management Contract Open for Bids

Department of Enterprise Services is restructuring the IT Professional Services (ITPS)  statewide contract to create a more consistent and efficient way to buy IT services. The new contract will address major challenges that customers and vendors experienced with the current contract and will provide more opportunities for small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses.

The first solicitation, IT Project Management Services, is posted on Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), where businesses can find and bid on public agency solicitations for goods and services.

37th Annual Alliance Northwest Conference

Registration is open

Alliance Northwest is the largest business-to-government conference in the Pacific Northwest. This event features high-quality workshops and matchmaking sessions between small businesses, government agencies, and prime contractors. 

Hosted by Thurston Economic Development Council, home of Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) an APEX Accelerator, Alliance Northwest has a strong history of federal agency support. It is widely known as the place where business and government learn and make connections with small and disadvantaged businesses. The event is March 16 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center.

Employment Security Department

Celebrating 40 Years of Service: Washington’s SharedWork Program

SharedWork is a statewide opt-in program that pays workers a portion of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits when hours are reduced. This gives employers the power to prevent layoffs and a smart method to manage the bottom line.

Eligible employers can enroll by submitting a short application and employee list to the SharedWork program. Upon plan approval, eligible employees file claims to receive benefits.Excited to learn more?  Attend a free statewide or local webinar or visit sharedworkwa.com.

WA Cares: Washington’s Newest Worker Benefit

Your employees probably have a lot of questions regarding WA Cares that’s why ESD hosts a webinar each month on Zoom to discuss new topics related to aging and caregiving. Each webinar includes a basic overview of WA Cares and how the program relates to that month’s issue. Questions? Contact the WA Cares Program at 844-227-3492.

Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance

Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR)

SBRR workshops are provided by members of the Washington state Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT). 

Start a Business in WA:  This free, one-hour webinar will give you a strong foundation for starting a business in Washington. It covers planning, registration and licensing, and other regulatory requirements. Register online for the May 10 webinar at 2 p.m. via zoom. Now available as a pre-recorded video in Spanish.

Published by The Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance. Our mission: To preserve the established connections to businesses for future communication of emergency related information; To make it easier for businesses to access state services & resources; To provide the latest cross-agency news affecting small businesses.