SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Business and Economic Development Center (BEDC), a program within the UW Business School, links students, faculty, and staff with a racially and ethnically diverse business and nonprofit community to expand knowledge and skills, help small businesses grow, create and retain jobs, open educational opportunities for under-represented minority students, and stimulate economic development research. The BEDC offers a range of services and educational programs to help qualified businesses grow and thrive, including mentoring for small business owners and pro bono legal and risk management advice.

State of Washington, Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises works with state agencies and institutions, other government agencies and their private partners to assist them with their purchasing and contracting needs. The Office also works with individual business owners and certifies eligible firms as minority business enterprises (MBE), women business enterprises (WBE), and/or social and economic disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE).

United States Small Business Administration provides aid and counseling resources to help assist and protect the interests of small businesses.

Regional Contracting Forum. This annual forum provides an opportunity for networking between businesses and public contracting authorities in the Puget Sound region. Presentations are held on topics related to construction, goods and services, and consultant contracting.

King County Office of Business Relations and Economic Development's business development goal is to retain, expand, create and recruit business within industry clusters that are core to the region's economic base and offer the greatest potential for growth.

Sound Transit Diversity Programs Office administers Sound Transit's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and performs a variety of tasks to provide information, increases contracting and employement opportunities, and maintain viable relationships with or regional partners.

Port of Seattle Small Business Initiative ensures equal access and opportunity to all firms that wish to provide products or services to the Port. The Port's goal is to develop and expand mutually advantageous business relationships with local small businesses, and firms owned and operated by minorities, women and the disabled.

City of Seattle, Small and MWBE Business Resources. This website provides links to City programs, initiatives, and outreach efforts, as well as links to information on resource centers, loan programs, other organizations charged with helping small businesses, and other public agencies.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helps Washington companies find and successfully achieve contracts for work with the local, state and federal governments.  Most PTAC services are available free of charge to all Washington State businesses, but the program places particular emphasis on assisting small businesses, women-owned businesses, disadvantaged businesses, veteran-owned and service disabled veteran-owned businesses, and businesses located in economically distressed areas of the state.

Community Capital Development is a resource for individuals thinking about opening a small business, or already operating a small business, and offers assistance in creating a business plan, researching potential markets and marketing ideas, discussing management issues with experienced counselors and business assistance providers, and applying for a small business loan.

Northwest Minority Business Council creates and develops business opportunities for minority firms between major private sector corporations and public agencies, fostering economic development in the communities it serves.

Contractor Development & Competitiveness Center helps empower minority, women, disadvantaged, and emerging small construction firms in becoming more competitive by developing or improving their business operations skills and by providing access to contracts with private and public owners, developers, and prime contractors.

Tabor 100 is a Pacific Northwest association of African-American businesspeople and entrepreneurs who are committed to facilitating the development of economic power and educational excellence in combination with a passion for social equity.

Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the advancement of the Hispanic business community in the State of Washington through economic, political and educational initiatives.