Business Organizations
Tacoma has the business support you need. Choose from business mentors, small business coaches, and more.
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is to create an environment of economic opportunity in the community. The Chamber brings small and large businesses together to advocate for economic development and a more livable community. The Chamber also provides monthly business classes open to non-members. Contact: Lynnette Buffington at 253.627.2175 ext.126 Email: [email protected]
Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB)
The EDB is a non-profit organization established to promote job creation and capital investment in Pierce County. The EDB works to bring the private and public sectors together to spur capital investment and grow the local economy. Each year, the EDB conducts outreach and support to hundreds of established businesses while also working to recruit new businesses to Pierce County. Phone: 253.383.4726 Address: 950 Pacific Ave, Suite 410, Tacoma, WA 98402
Minority Business Development Agency
The MBDA Business Center located in Tacoma, Washington is operated by the City of Tacoma. The center is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the United States. The center works with minority business enterprises to generate increased financing and contract opportunities and to create and retain jobs. The program’s objective is to provide ongoing, quality assistance to minority businesses with rapid growth potential, so that they can achieve greater participation in the development of the nation’s commerce. Phone: 253.591.5835 Website: https://mbdawashington.com/ Address: 747 Market Street, Room 808 Tacoma, WA 98402 United States
Spaceworks Tacoma
Spaceworks makes Tacoma culturally vibrant and economically strong through training and support for artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The World Trade Center Tacoma
The World Trade Center Tacoma is a non-profit located in downtown Tacoma that helps local businesses connect to the global economy. WTC Tacoma is part of the 330-city, 100-country World Trade Center Association. It offers training, counseling, and connections for Tacoma-area companies that want to trade internationally. Contact: Mike Fowler, Senior Trade Consultant Phone: 253.396.1022 Email: [email protected] Address: 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 310 Tacoma, WA 98402
Pierce County Office of Economic Development
Is your business located outside the City of Tacoma limits, but in Pierce County? Then the Pierce County Economic Development Department is here to help. Their services include: site selection and planning, financing, permit assistance and data analysis services for any business in Pierce County. Contact: Kevin Clegg Phone: 253.798.6639 Email: [email protected] Address: 950 Pacific Ave, Suite 720, Tacoma, WA 98402
Business Washington
Business Washington provides small business guidance that include content from federal, state, local, NGO to support businesses.
ORIA - State of Washington
ORIA – Guiding you through Washington state’s regulations.
SCORE
SCORE helps small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) supports their work and thanks to their network of volunteers, the following services are provided at no charge:
- Volunteer Mentors who share their expertise across 62 industries
- Free, confidential business counseling in person or via email
- Free business tools, templates and tips online at https://tacoma.score.org
Call now to schedule a one-hour appointment: Toll Free 855-685-0166
Small Business Administration (SBA) – Seattle District Office
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, expand, or recover their businesses from a declared disaster. It delivers services such as small business training, business advising, access to funding, and contracting certifications through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. The Seattle District Office serves most of Washington and northern Idaho with office locations in Seattle and Spokane. Contact: [email protected] (206) 553-7310 Address: 2401 4th Ave., Suite 450, Seattle, WA 98121
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Located at Bates Technical College, the SBDC offers no-fee business advising on an appointment basis for existing businesses (one year or more). The SBDC prefers that your business have a past record of sales, financial statements, and/or you are buying an existing business. For a list of services, click here. Contact: John Rodenberg, SBDC Business Advisor Phone: 253-268-3339 E-mail: [email protected] Address: Bates Technical College, 1101 South Yakima Ave, M-123, Tacoma, WA 98402 Video on how to prepare for your first SBDC meeting
Washington APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC)
The purpose of the APEX is to assist small businesses in doing work with the federal, state, county, and local governments. Established by the Department of Defense, WA APEX provides assistance with the necessary registrations required in order to do business with the federal government including:
- interpretation of solicitations
- marketing assistance
- assignment of identification codes for products/services
- various training sessions
Contact: [email protected]
Invista Performance Solutions
Invista Performance Solutions’ mission is to provide customized solutions to meet the training and development needs of Washington State organizations. They are a collaboration of four Pierce County Community and Technical Colleges. Our services help companies gain a competitive advantage in the global economy by increasing the skills of their workforce through education, in-person and web-based training, and consulting support for organizational change and growth. Contact: Don Sosnowski, Executive Director Phone: 253.583.8860 Email: [email protected] Address: 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Bldg. 19-205, Lakewood, WA 98499
U.S. Commercial Service-Seattle
Dedicated to Helping You to Succeed in International Markets
The Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center is a partnership of U.S. Commercial Service, the export assistance agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Office of International Trade, for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The U.S. Commercial Service offers solutions to help businesses enter and succeed in international markets. The Small Business Administration offers export finance options through a number of Export Working Capital, Credit Insurance and loan guarantee programs. For more information about the SBA’s programs and services please contact Mr. Leland Gibbs at 206-553-5615 x 228, 206-553-0051, or email him at [email protected].
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