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Business Resources

Classes, workshops, grants, low-cost loans and other resources to help your business start up, grow and thrive in Vancouver. To request this information or any documents noted below in a different format or language, please contact Julie Arenz, Small Business Project Manager, 360-487-7940, julie.arenz@cityofvancouver.us.

May is Small Business Month

An estimated 95% of Vancouver’s businesses are considered small businesses. Learn how we’re celebrating, supporting and continuing to uplift our small business community this May.

 Small Business Month

Small Business Month Proclamation

On May 6, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will proclaim May Small Business Month in Vancouver.  This designation coincides with National Small Business Week and Small Business Month.

 Proclamation

Connect and Navigate

Join us and Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries for a free small business resource fair from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at Fourth Plain Community Commons.

 Resource Fair

Business funding opportunities

Learn about business grants, proposal opportunities and low-cost loans available to local businesses.

 Funding opportunities

Business Workshops, Classes and Education

Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) and WA APEX Accelerator: A Public Works Panel

Have you ever wanted to work with a public agency but didn’t know where to start? Meet the Agencies is a special session dedicated to public works contracting. If you are a contractor wanting to know more about public works, this session is for you. The roundtable session format allows for the opportunity to sit with each agency to better understand how to do business with them.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries:  Free English conversation circle at Fourth Plain Forward

Practice speaking English in a group setting, led by a native-speaking volunteer. Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost.

Practique hablar inglés en un grupo, dirigido por un voluntario nativo. Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo.

Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries and Small Business Partners

Paths to Entrepreneurship Virtual Webinar: There are three ways to make the jump into entrepreneurship: (1) Start a business on your own (2) Buy an existing business or (3) Consider a franchise opportunity. This free virtual learning event addresses the pros and cons of each option. Brought to you in partnership with SCORE.

Business Tax Basics: This in-person session will review the most common Washington taxes a business might owe, registration requirements, nexus standards, and how to file excise tax returns. Best suited for newer businesses. Brought to you in partnership with the WA State Department of Revenue.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber: Upcoming in-person events

The Greater Vancouver Chamber is excited to announce upcoming in-person events, providing attendees with invaluable learning and networking opportunities:

Fourth Plain Forward: Business Connect in-person events

Business Connect, offered by Fourth Plain Forward, will be hosting the following in-person events at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 East 4th Plain Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98661, to provide participants with the resources, coaching and advising needed to take the first steps into launching a successful, new business. Please visit the Fourth Plain Forward Events page for more information.

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) provides free monthly workshops

The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) was founded in 1994 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a mission to lead the economic advancement, wealth creation and equity for Latinos in Oregon and SW Washington. Their vision is to close the Latino economic equity gap and to create intergenerational wealth. HMC’s business development team offers free and confidential technical assistance in Spanish and English to business owners, as well as monthly workshops.

MESO provides free/low-cost Business Education

MESO provides virtual business classes and workshops in English and in Spanish that focus on the foundational elements of running a small business. Learn more about their current offerings and how to sign up.

WSU-Vancouver PACE Program offers online certificate courses

The PACE Program at WSU-Vancouver, with 3-4 weeklong courses, offers 50-75% discounts for employees of small businesses and non-profits. Evening classes are held twice per week in live, online, and in person formats.

Spring 2024 courses include the below, along with Registration and details:

SCORE provides free/low-cost Business Education

SCORE provides business local and virtual workshops and targeted training that matter to you and your small business. Learn more about their current offerings and discover more here.

SBA offers free Wednesday Webinars and free SBA 101 Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is celebrating 70 years of service. To honor this occasion, the SBA Seattle District Office invites Washington State business owners to join them for free Wednesday Webinars focused on exporting, government contracting, and finding funding for your small business.

You may also join SBA 101: Overview of SBA Programs to learn more about programs for small business, free counseling, access to business capital, contracting with the federal government and how to incorporate these free resources into your small business journey. This free webinar takes place virtually once a month, on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Department’s Export Week 5/6 – 5/10

In celebration of World Trade Month, the U.S. Commercial Service will host a number of export sessions during the first week of May and throughout the month. The sessions, led by both private and public sector experts, will feature trade-related programs and industry-focused opportunities. Many programs are free of charge. Whether you are new to exporting or an experienced exporter, Export Week will provide valuable information and resources to increase your global sales.

Main Street America partners with Grow with Google to offer free workshops

Main Street America and Grow with Google have teamed up to help business owners gain new skills through local Digital Coaches. Through the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program, 10 coaches in small towns across America are offering free live trainings and hands-on coaching. No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey, your local Digital Coach can help you build skills to take the next step for your business.

Small Business Requirements and Resources (SBRR) offers free workshops for Small Business

The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a partnership between 29 state agencies working together with local economic development partners to support and connect with business owners in offering free business education. The Small Business Requirements and Resources (SBRR) offer free workshops with essential information and resources to help start and grow your business These events are sponsored by the Small Business Liaison Team and hosted by various partners. 

Scale-Up online training program: $1599 cost waived for WA Businesses

Start 2024 with a Growth Mindset. This online program normally costs $1,599 but will be provided at no cost to Washington State businesses through June 30, 2025, with funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

ScaleUp is an online training program that empowers established businesses to take growth into their own hands. The nine-week program consists of instructor lead virtual training sessions, online learning modules, and access to a social media networking platform that facilitates interactions between business owners and business experts. The program is most beneficial for established business owners with two or more years’ experience owning and operating a small business who are currently based in Washington state.

Oregon MBDA offers free/low-cost Business Education

The Oregon Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), managed and operated by Business Impact NW, is dedicated to serving underbanked entrepreneurs.  Their goal is to assist minority businesses who are seeking growth opportunities with consulting, business training, contracting and business development. Learn more about their current virtual offerings and how to sign up.

SBA offers free 6-month Business Training Program: THRIVE

The SBA is offering T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined program. This free 6-month program (valued at $15,000) takes you on a journey of learning to lead yourself and ultimately translates that knowledge into leading others. It will equip you with skills to overcome the constraints of your business’ growth and help you to step forward with a new perspective on leading your team to success. Enhance your leadership abilities, acquire MBA-equivalent knowledge, benefit from personalized business guidance, and establish connections with a group of entrepreneurs, consultants, and specialists. T.H.R.I.V.E. stands for Train. Hope. Rise. Innovate. Venture. Elevate. This is an executive-level training series designed to accelerate growth of high-potential small businesses.

Learn about the benefits and the commitment requirements and apply before 4/28/24.

Portland Community College’s SBDC offers Training Programs

Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been helping entrepreneurs build businesses for 40 years. Start, grow, or rebuild your business confidently with support from these specialized business training programs. 

WA State Dept. of Revenue: Learn tax incentives, deductions, credits, and programs

Understanding tax obligations can be challenging for a small business or a new business owner.  DOR has several educational resources aimed at assisting businesses with tax reporting responsibilities and questions.

WA Department of Enterprise Services (DES): Want to do business with the State?

State agencies are actively seeking to spend money with small, diverse, and veteran-owned Washington businesses. Learn more from WA State DES.

Resources to help you get started with state contracting:

Stay informed and subscribe to the monthly email bulletin for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses.

Helpful Guides

Small Business Guide: This Small Business Guide is broken into six sections, based on your stage of business.  Whether you are starting your business, managing a new business, or expanding your business, you will find valuable information and resources. The business guide is accessible online, and it’s also available in PDF to use as a printed reference manual.  The PDF is available English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog and two volumes in Braille Ready Format. The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

Evergreen BizLink offers Startup Guides and Growth Guides. Find a perfect guide for your business.

Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA): offers an Information Center (IC) Team as a free customer service center available by phone, text, chat and email. It’s a great place for entrepreneurs and small businesses to ask questions regarding starting or operating a business. The IC Team of professionals are friendly, expert researchers, and eager to provide information and connect you with programs, training, and resources to help you achieve your business goals. 

Starting a Non-Profit in WA State: The Nonprofit Association of Washington (NAWA) partners with a powerful network of nonprofit organizations across Washington State to learn, advocate, and collaborate, so that nonprofits can achieve their missions. Sometimes a single learning session is just what you need to get started. Popular webinars include QuickBooks Made Easy, Boards and Governance Leadership Training and more. Find your non-profit session in their event calendar.

Craft3: Free Guide to Help You Become “Loan Ready.” Find everything you need to know to apply for a business loan, along with other resources to help you prepare for loan application. If you’ve considered applying for a business loan but aren’t sure of the process or what a lender will ask for, then the Definitive Guide to Getting Loan Ready is for you.

Business Impact NW: Their Loan Readiness Center offers free tailored advice and business loan training to help entrepreneurs from underserved communities learn how to access funding to help start and grow their business. And when you’re ready to talk with an advisor who can support you and help point you in the right direction, reach out for one-on-one business coaching.

SBA offers free webinars to start, grow, or expand your Small Business

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a U.S. government agency that offers online tools, training programs, one-on-one counseling services and funding to help small business owners start and grow businesses. The SBA Portland District Office invites business owners and aspiring owners to join them for webinars focused on starting, growing, or expanding your small business. Whether you’re starting a business, growing a business, or in recovery mode, the SBA can offer guidance with their free education, Resource Partner Network, loan programs, government contracting, certifications, and more. Learn more about their free/low-cost virtual and in-person educational events.

SBA Learning Center: Free online Business Courses

SBA’s online learning programs are designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way. Whether you’re looking to start a small business or expand your current one, SBA’s digital learning platform has everything you need to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices and available financing options.

WA State Department of Labor & Industries: Free workshops and webinars

WA State Department of L&I is a state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington’s 3.3 million workers. Here is a combined list of all the workshops, events and webinars that L&I offers. Search, sort and filter the list to find what pertains to you. Learn more about their free/low-cost virtual and in-person educational events.

Business Assistance Resources

Consider these local, state and federal agencies listed below. They are great resources for your business.

Local

State

Federal