Submitted by the Economic Development Council.
EDC Partners with Lopez Island Family Resource Center for Arduino Classes
We are partnering with the Lopez Island Family Resource Center to bring Youth Arduino as part of the Summer 2025 LIFRC Summer Camp.
Grades five through eight. July 14-18, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Located at the Lopez Middle School. Free for full-time residents.
Register at https://lifrc.org/summer-camp-registration-opens-soon/.
Become a Facebook Expert: The Newest Tips and Tricks
Knowing how to use Facebook can change your business overnight by driving customers to your website and your business. Getting more customers will lead to more sales in this very competitive business environment. And more sales means more profits for you!!
Attendees of this workshop will learn the following key features about Facebook: How people see and react to content on Facebook; the connection between Facebook pages and profiles; Facebook content strategies and other best practices; and understanding the basics of Facebook advertising.
June 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free and online. Register at https://score.tfaforms.net/112?EventID=a10Vt000006HstN&activeChapter=Greater%20Seattle.
Best Practices in Form I-9 Compliance
The Washington State Microenterprise Association, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Resiliency Network and the Governor’s Office For Regulatory Innovation and Assistance, is presenting a webinar that will focus on best practices for small businesses in understanding, compliance and completion of I-9 forms.
Our returning speaker, Kripa Upadhyay, Attorney at Law, will cover the basics of the I-9 and how to complete it; I-9 audits and best practices; and E-Verify and how to comply with “Social Security No Match” letters.
Wednesday, June 25, 1-2:30 p.m. Online and free. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NNdpo9FtTa-JAXBV6vNpfw?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#/registration.
Business tax basics workshops
Learn the basics of Washington state taxes. As a small business or new business owner, this free workshop will help you understand your tax reporting responsibilities.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about taxes that apply specifically to your business.
July 9, 11 a.m. to noon. Online and free. Register at https://dor-wa-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iAIwfyNxQwGZwurbsXTgFQ#/registration.
Taproot Community Kitchen launches a Value-Added Food Business Scholarship Program on Lopez Island
Whether you’re launching a new food venture or growing an existing one, this scholarship provides the resources and community support to help your business thrive.
Applications are now being accepted! For more information or to apply, visit https://lopeztaproot.org/scholarships/.
Small Business Owners and Nonprofits!
Apply now for: flexible, affordable loans; fixed, competitive interest rates; 36- to 72-month repayment timelines.
Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $250,000 and the money can be spent flexibly, including on payroll, utilities and rent, supplies, marketing and advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.
Visit https://smallbusinessflexfund.org/#terms for more information.
Plan your business!
Starting a business is a big decision. If you’ve never owned a business before, you may be unaware of all the things you need to do to get your business going. Careful planning and research will improve your chances of success.
Business training
• You don’t need a degree in business to start one, but knowledge is power. Taking classes and attending workshops are excellent ways to gain the knowledge you will need to be successful.
Business planning
• Writing a comprehensive business plan is the first step in starting a business. Your business plan will guide you as you make your business a reality, and it will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Learn more from Business WA.Gov: https://www.business.wa.gov/site/alias__business/877/Small-Business-Guide—Plan.aspx.
Making L&I Guidelines Easy for Small Businesses | Check out our video series: Essentials for Business
The Small Business Office strives to make it easier for small businesses to work with L&I. We understand most don’t have the time to sift through the many laws and regulations, and that they can be difficult to understand as well.
That’s why we created the Essentials for Business, a six-part video series that answers many of the most common questions small business employers have. Each two-minute video explains these complex regulations in a simple way that includes easily accessible resources. Visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnIrlBMM-OCY6aR_0V-nmxWw8ZpssGb0L.
Switch It Up! | Save now – pay later!
Are you taking advantage of OPALCO’s on-bill financing program for efficiency and renewable energy projects in your home or business?
Visit https://www.opalco.com/save/the-island-way/switch-it-up/ for more information.
Washington state Regional Resources for Latinos | Rapid Response Hub
This site is designed to collect information and share valuable resources, services and organizations available in our area. We encourage you to share information about resources you know and trust that serve Latinos in Washington — whether they provide immigration support, health services, housing support, educational opportunities, job assistance, mental health resources, food programs or any other kind of community support. Please recommend any organization that you think would be helpful for us to highlight in our Rapid Response Hub for Latinos in Washington.
Visit https://www.cha.wa.gov/rapid-response-hub for more information.
Child care
We are excited to let you know about a time-limited opportunity for organizations and entities to access capital project technical assistance specific to child-care facilities.
At this time, the Thrive Community Building can provide technical assistance services at no cost to the organization. This technical assistance opportunity is subject to first-come-first-served until their contracted hour capacity is reached.
Don’t delay – our TA contract with Thrive Community Building ends June 30.
If you have interest in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Monica Duncan at mduncan@thrivecb.org
