CITY OF TACOMA
EDA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
As part of ongoing efforts to build upon the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tacoma, the City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department (EDA) is leveraging grant funds from the Economic Development Department to partner with two organizations specializing in technical assistance for small and micro businesses. From May 2023 – August 2023, King’s Dream Business Consulting and Revbywill use one-time EDA funding provided by the City of Tacoma to roll out two new programs focusing on direct intermediate to advanced-level technical assistance for small and micro-businesses in the areas of financial and digital literacy and readiness.
Eligible small businesses based in Tacoma are invited to submit an application directly through these organizations.
The Revby Digital Marketing & Digital Capacity Building Program
Includes free one-on-one technical assistance and group workshops to help small and micro businesses based in Tacoma develop their digital literacy and build digital infrastructure. Selected business owners will have access to free consulting services from Revby, a small business technical assistance provider and business, digital marketing, and website development consultancy. One-on-one assistance will include a thorough business assessment with consulting coaching sessions, deliverables, and website development if needed. These projects will focus on the following areas: digital marketing strategy, content planning, POS (point of sale) implementation, website development, and e-commerce strategy.
Space is limited for one-on-one assistance; the application is now open and will close on July 5th* (subject to change based on capacity). Group workshops are open to all Tacoma businesses, registration is required.
**Please note that there is limited space for one-on-one technical assistance. Please apply as soon as possible. The application deadline of July 5th, however, we recommend interested business owners to apply early to be considered for the services.** APPLY HERE
Digital Workshops: Revby will facilitate two workshops open to all business owners looking to increase their digital literacy.
June 8, 2023 (REGISTER HERE)11:30am PT
Agenda: This workshop will cover the basics of digital marketing and the importance of strong digital marketing strategy in today’s world. You will leave with not only knowledge of the latest trends but a toolkit to get your business’ digital marketing off the ground and running full speed ahead.Topics covered will include:
- Creating Audience personas
- Crafting a digital audit
- Using online tools to create a powerful workflow
- The future of digital marketing
11:30am PT
Agenda: This workshop will cover the basics of web design, including design principles. Designing e-commerce websites, including how to optimize product pages, create effective navigation and functionality that resonates with your target audience. We will cover the best practices for SEO (search engine optimization) and how to keep the website secureTopics covered will include:
- Why every small business needs a website
- Introduction to website building
- Website Optimization
- E-commerce solutions for Small Businesses
King’s Dream Business Consulting will have a dedicated team of experts who strive to support local business owners whom traditional funding sources have historically marginalized. The key to the success of Keep it Local Tacoma is for more of our BIPOC businesses to become loan-ready and for their owners to gain confidence in making sound financial decisions for their companies.
Every program participant receives personalized attention from a business consultant with over 10 years of experience. They also benefit from a credit repair plan, an interactive 90-day action plan, and free online and in-person financial empowerment workshops. “We’re thrilled to launch this platform to develop the small businesses in the community that need it most,” said Jawan Harris, founder of Keep It Local Tacoma. “Given the challenges faced by local businesses in recent years, it is imperative that we collaborate to create a more inclusive economy that equips them with the necessary resources to expand.”
The application is now open. APPLY HERE
Register for workshops here, no application is required.
The City of Tacoma Community & Economic Development Department is committed to building an equitable and inclusive economy that benefits the whole city by promoting access to economic opportunities for all of Tacoma’s diverse communities.
The City of Tacoma encourages everyone to participate in its programs and activities. For additional questions, translation or interpretation, technical assistance, disability accommodations, materials in alternate formats, or accessibility information.
For any questions please contact:
Dierdre Patterson
253-591-5621
dpatterson3@cityoftacoma.org