A feature of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) is to provide business assistance and resource referral. This monthly Business Assistance Briefing is to share relevant and timely resources to support your business, regardless of size.
In today’s world it can be hard to navigate the waters when it comes to running your business, gaining access to capital, marketing woes, workforce needs, or just getting started – GGHI is here to assist. This month we are sharing our upcoming Small Business Summit, webinar information, a small business learning environment, and grants that businesses can apply for to recover from the pandemic or continue to grow with.
Free Small Business Summit
Funded by The Grays Harbor Community Foundation and hosted by Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., this Small Business Summit is free for any Grays Harbor business interested in attending! The event will take place from 8:30am – 3pm on May 2nd at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen. Small businesses and entrepreneurs in the making are encouraged to attend!
This event will feature information sessions, high-powered discussions, networking opportunities, and advice on the most pressing issues facing businesses today. Plan to attend one or all of the sessions throughout the day.
Pre-registration is required, and lunch and refreshments will be provided. Click here to register and view the various speakers and topics throughout the day.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Wednesday Webinars and More
Wednesday Webinars with SBA’s Seattle District – serving Washington state and northern Idaho – is an ongoing series of free, virtual webinars covering a variety of topics to benefit small business owners. Each week, we will be featuring a different area of SBA programing, led by SBA staff and guest speakers, to provide information and training on the following topics.
To see a full list of events click here.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Learning Platform
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.
To check out the SBA Learning Platform click here.
Washington Seafood Processers Pandemic Response and Safety Grant
Overview: Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, $50 million was provided to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) for the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety (SPRS) Block Grant Program. Washington was allocated $2,426,509 using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2019 landings data for eligible states. Payments will be made directly to applicants for eligible costs incurred between January 27, 2020, and December 30, 2021.
Grant Amount: Direct payments will be made to qualifying seafood processing businesses for eligible expenses incurred between January 27, 2020, and December 30, 2021. If the total of all claims exceeds funds available, then disbursements will be scaled relative to the funds available compared to the total claims. A maximum claim allowance may be imposed to help level disbursements if total claims exceed available funds. If total claims are less than available funds, a second round of applications may be solicited.
Click here for detailed information.
Value-Added Producer Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is making $31 million in grants available to help farmers and ranchers access new and better markets by adding more value to their products.
USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help agricultural producers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities.
What Does This Program Do?
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.
You may receive priority if you are:
- Beginning as a farmer or rancher.
- Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
- Small or medium-sized farm.
- Ranch structured as a family farm.
- Farmer or rancher cooperative.
- Proposing a mid-tier value chain.
To learn more, read the full Value-Added Producer Grant Stakeholder Announcement.
Employer Incentives via Labor & Industries
Employer Incentives might save you money!
Did you know – L&I has several programs designed to reduce safety risks, get workers back to work, and save employers money?
Check out the Employer Incentives page for more information.
Greater Grays Harbor hosts a Business Assistance page on our website that provides a lengthy list of resources related to business support. We are happy to conduct a meeting with you to discuss business needs and how to navigate the vast resource network.
Please reach out to Loretta Thomas, Program Manager for Business Development at GGHI if you have questions or need some guidance along your business journey.