SBA, USDA Rural Development, City of Sequim, Local Partners Host Special Events for Coastal Washington Business Community.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District Office – together with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, the City of Sequim and other local partners – have teamed up for Rural Strong Washington, an initiative to spur economic development in Sequim and the Coastal Washington area March 27-29.
“The importance of business resilience in small and rural towns cannot be understated,” SBA Seattle District Director Kerrie Hurd said, “Small businesses create critical local jobs while retaining the character of the community by connecting its history to its future. We want businesses on the Olympic Peninsula to know they are not alone. Together with local partners, we want to help them confidently and successfully start, grow and expand.”
To better connect local businesses with tools and resources available, the following free educational sessions will take place in Sequim March 27-29:
HUBZone 101 Info Session
Wednesday, March 27
1 to 2 p.m.
Sequim Library, South Meeting Room | 630 N. Sequim Ave., Sequim, WA 98382
Info session for small businesses ready to grow about how to sell to the federal government using a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) certification; there are currently more HUBZone sole source contracts than there are HUBZone certified businesses.
Funding Programs Info Session
Wednesday, March 27
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Sequim Civic Center | 152 West Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382
Learn about SBA loan programs, USDA Rural Development loan and grant programs, and meet one-on-one with local lenders and funding sources in a "speed-dating" setting.
Small Business Town Hall
Friday, March 29
8 to 10 a.m.
Sequim Civic Center | 152 West Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382
Opportunity for current and aspiring small businesses to learn more about all the no-cost and low-cost local resources available to them from the SBA, City of Sequim, North Olympic Development Council (NODC) and other local partners. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions of business experts and provide feedback on burdensome regulations to the SBA regional advocate.
Grow Your Business Internationally
Friday, March 29
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sequim Civic Center | 152 West Cedar St., Sequim, WA 98382
Info session that will take manufacturers, makers and agribusinesses through the process of exporting and the resources available to help each step of the way.
“We realize that access to capital for rural Washington entrepreneurs and businesses is the most critical component for them to thrive,” USDA Rural Development Washington State Director Kirk Pearson said. “USDA strives to build partnerships with fellow federal agencies and local community partners to facilitate and provide assistance to rural businesses in identifying and accessing the resources they need to be successful.”
Last year the SBA and USDA signed a national Memorandum of Understanding to provide joint programming and information sessions to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural areas, such as the Funding Programs Info Session March 27.
Sequim Mayor Dennis Smith and Hurd will meet with local economic development partners March 27 and visit local small businesses March 28. Mayor Smith will also speak at the export workshop March 29.
“Sequim has a vibrant economy fueled by small businesses. We are delighted to host a set of events by the Small Business Administration to further support and highlight them,” Smith said. “The City of Sequim is committed to continuously improving the business climate of our community.”
Anyone interested in starting or growing their small business can register for the events at tinyurl.com/2019Sequim.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. The SBA Seattle District Office serves Washington state and northern Idaho with office locations in Seattle and Spokane.