Hire Me First
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., alongside Grays Harbor high schools and Grays Harbor College, are proud to introduce “Hire Me First.” Students who are awarded “Hire Me First” cards are potential employees who have been deemed ready for work. They will present their cards to employers for consideration in the interviewing and hiring process. Once local Grays Harbor businesses sign up, they will give students with “Hire Me First” cards an interview when they have an open position for which the student qualifies. This program is currently offered to students at Aberdeen High School. If your business is interested in participating, please contact Loretta Thomas at lthomas@graysharbor.org or call (360) 532-7888. A list of interested businesses, their contact information, and open positions will be compiled and added to this webpage in the coming weeks. More information can be found here.
Business Enterprise Startup Training or BEST is provided to new Grays Harbor County entrepreneurs in partnership with the Thurston Economic Development Council Center for Business & Innovation. BEST consists of five online on demand courses that teach new entrepreneurs how to write a business plan, structure and license their business, start branding and marketing their business, protect their intellectual property and gain basic accounting knowledge for their business. After filling out the scholarship application you will be contacted by the Thurston EDC’s Center for Business & Innovation Training and Resource coordinator who will provide access to the courses along with no cost access to business plan writing software. For any questions, please email info@wcwb.org.
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Through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s website you’ll find a wealth of small business programs and resources, from our new Entrepreneur Academy and Financial Literacy modules to our small business resources that are specific to women and veteran-owned businesses. Additionally, there is Commerce’s Washington Small Business Credit Initiative, State Small Business Credit Initiative Program, as well as Small Business Flex Fund opportunities. |
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Whether you’re looking to start a small business or expand your current one, the U.S. Small Business Administration‘s digital learning platform has everything you need to educate yourself on entrepreneurial best practices and available financing options. |
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When you partner with Impact Washington, you’re gaining a partner whose mission is to help manufacturers grow their top and bottom lines. They are the go-to resource to assist small and mid-sized manufacturers to be more brilliant, operate more efficiently, and develop sustainable business practices. |
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APEX Accelerator Advisers help businesses at no cost with bid reviews, marketing assistance, contract performance, small business designations, and more. APEX can also advise your business through the OMWBE Certification process for Women & Minority-Owned Businesses. |
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The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors working in communities across the state to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business. |
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Whether you need to hire employees, are facing layoffs, or must let an employee go, the Employment Security Department (ESD) has resources and information that can help you. Together with other partners in the statewide WorkSource system, ESD can help workers find jobs and map out new careers by connecting to a variety of training programs. |
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Need help to grow your business? The Timberland Regional Library offers access to computers, 3D printing, meeting space, scanning, and many online resources. |
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If you’re looking for funding sources to fuel your growth, check out some of these possibilities for access to capital funding on StartUp Washington’s website. |
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As the official destination marketing and management organization for Washington, State of Washington Tourism is responsible for advocating, promoting, developing, and sustaining destination tourism for the state. Industry stakeholders are invited to explore resources, programs, marketing materials, press releases, and more. |
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Wellness, Arts, and the Military supports the growth of artists and arts organizations who have arts and wellness programs for military connected communities. |
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The WorkSource website has a collection of information compiled to assist you and your business to help get through tough times for businesses both large and small. As well as access to On-the-Job Training programs via the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Please see more below on WIOA via DOL. |
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WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation’s public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers. Learn more here. |
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Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships: AJAC is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 to skill up the advanced manufacturing workforce through registered apprenticeship. |
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The Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council‘s Business Solutions team works regionally to guide businesses toward available resources. The team’s collective skill focuses on identification of workforce needs, and building tools, to assist in long-term sustainable solutions. |
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The Association of Washington Business Institute’s Workforce Portal is an online tool that’s helping address the state’s workforce gaps by making it easier for employers to find students interested in internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing mentorships — and vice versa. |
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Grays Harbor Youth Works was founded in 2013 with the help of community residents concerned with the well-being of the youth in Grays Harbor County. We operate specifically to provide 15–19–year–old high school students with a $200 scholarship. These internships offer the students 20% job shadowing and 80% hands-on experience in the business and nonprofit sectors. The student is also advised and evaluated by a mentor at the business host site. |
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Finding the right staff for local employers is what Express Employment Professionals does best! Their combination of international resources and our connection with the local Aberdeen area provide us with both the knowledge and skills we need to give you the right workforce, saving you time, money, and resources. |
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WorkFirst Programs provide temporary community-based work and skill building experience to individuals who are on a TANF grant (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). Participants who have experienced barriers in entering the regular job market can work while continuing public assistance. Learn more here. |
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Morningside can help you solve employment needs in your business. They can design jobs to help your business grow and prosper and improve employee morale. Some of the (no-cost) services that Morningside offers include business analysis and job description proposals, employee recruitment, ADA diversity training, job coaching a.k.a. employee training & follow-along support. |
This list of programs is not exhaustive. Please Contact Us to learn more about programs relating to start-up assistance, training, financing, exporting, and more.