Bottom Line » Bottom Line

Come to the Wash. Small Business Forum on Dec. 4th!

beeches — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:08:27 +0000

The City of Bellevue’s Office of Economic Development and the IRS invite you to attend the Washington Small Business Forum, which will held on Friday, December 4, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Bellevue City Hall. The forum assembles representatives from business and industry organizations, along with representatives of various federal and state government agencies, to hear presentations and have roundtable discussions.

Karen Pemerl of the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Assistance will discuss some new tools available on business.wa.gov to help small businesses.

Rob Rice from the Washington State Department of Revenue will give an overview on the new reseller permits that go into effect January 1.

George Sharp from the Washington State Department of Commerce will discuss the various programs they have for small businesses, including information on international trade, revitalization, grants and loans.

If you would like more information, or would like to RSVP for the forum, contact Kari Gilge at 206-220-5469 or kari.gilje@irs.gov as soon as possible.

OED seeks winter/spring communications intern

beeches — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:55:53 +0000

The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, a local government office committed to creating a vibrant economy in the City of Seattle, seeks a part or full-time communications intern. This position requires a minimum six-month commitment, 20-40 hours a week (schedule is negotiable), starting in December 2009.

The ideal candidate will have strong reading comprehension, writing skills, and organizational/research skills, as well as being self motivated and independent. Applicants should also be familiar with writing blogs, newsletters, and using basic HTML. The Office of Economic Development (OED) will provide a $400-$800 a month stipend, and, if deserved, provide a letter of recommendation upon completion of the internship. Students interested in economics or communications are encouraged to apply.

Detailed job responsibilities include:

DAILY COMMUNICATIONS
- Compile and format daily news blast featuring City of Seattle, industry and partner news (OED’s Daily Digest)
- Compose daily blog entries for a public audience about the business community in Seattle

MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER
- Collect news posted in blog and other sources
- Compose and post monthly newsletter online
- Increase the number of newsletter contacts
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with contacts

WEBSITE
- Continually update and develop OED website
- Edit on as-needed basis and communicate with staff about changes
- Work on long term projects

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
- Perpetuation of the internship program
- Responsible for carrying through the next internship hiring process

SUPPORTING THE OFFICE
- Develop OED materials, including press releases, collateral flyers, and PowerPoint presentations
- Research projects on economic and communications topics
- Promote OED/partner events
- Keep office organized and presentable
- Maintain oed@seattle.gov e-mail

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and a resume with three work- or volunteer-related references to oed@seattle.gov (attention: Karin Zaugg Black) by December 3, 2009.

Domesticating Global Health series explores Washington’s life science community

beeches — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:06:38 +0000

The first in a four-part series on Washington and global health kicks off tonight – Wednesday, November 18th – at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute. A panel of experts will discuss the ways that global health benefits Washington’s life science community and the state’s economy, as well as opportunities to partner and leverage Washington’s innovation economy on a global stage.

Tonight’s event includes the first public forum of the Washington Global Health Alliance’s (WGHA) “Global Health Mapping Study.” This study will describe the impact that the Global Health community is already having on Washington state.

The following experts will participate in the discussion:

Lisa Cohen, Director, Washington Global Health Alliance
Randal Hassler, Vice President, Operations & Finance, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute
Bonnie Berk, President, Berk & Associates
John Gardner, VP, Economic Development & Global Engagement, Washington State University
Chris Rivera, President, WBBA – Moderator

The final three sessions in the series will take place in February, May, and November, 2010.

The series is co-sponsored by Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI), Sellen, SightLife, and the Washington Global Health Alliance. For more information, visit the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute event page.

Tomorrow: Compostables event prepares businesses for July transition

beeches — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:03:08 +0000

Seattle food service businesses were banned from using expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers in January 2009. By July 1, 2010, all food service businesses must use approved compostable products, recyclable plastic, or recyclable plastic-coated paper products for all one-time-use food service ware. Tomorrow’s Food + Compostables event – to be held at Seattle Center from 8:30 a.m. to noon – could be great resource if your business is in the process of transitioning to compostable or recyclable products.

The FREE Food + Compostables event will feature:

• A vendor fair including exhibitor booths for compostable products, recycling collection bin manufacturers, local distributors, and retailers
• Panels featuring food service and property manager industry representatives to share successes and challenges of sourcing compostable products and implementing food+ compostables collection.
• FREE posters, decals, and collection bin vouchers!
• Booths staffed by Resource Venture, City of Seattle, and compostables collection service providers to have your questions answered.

Visit the Food + Compostables event page for more details – and help get the word out to your favorite neighborhood businesses!

Effort to bring FIFA World Cup to Seattle continues

zauggke — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:18:44 +0000

A team of government and sports representatives from Seattle met with members of the USA Bid Committee in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 11th, to help secure Seattle’s spot in the next round of cities under consideration to host the FIFA World CupTM in 2018 or 2022.

In August, the USA Bid Committee announced that 27 potential cities, including Seattle, made the cut to be included in the United States’ bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022. By the end of the year, the USA Bid Committee is expected to determine 18 final cities to include in its final proposal to FIFA. In December 2010, FIFA will award the host nation for both 2018 and 2022.

The Seattle delegation includes the city of Seattle, the Seattle Sports Commission, Seattle Sounders FC, the University of Washington, and First and Goal. Representatives of these organizations have been working for the last six months to ensure Seattle is included as a potential host city if the United States is selected as

Disaster planning can help ensure business continuity

beeches — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:17:09 +0000

Data loss and extended downtime can cripple a small business. In fact, 94% of companies that experience a major loss of data go out of business. That’s why local technology gurus X-BAR and Storage Craft have teamed up to present a free lunch and learn event, Disaster Survival and Business Continuity for the Small Business, on Friday, November 20th, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Brad Benner of X-Bar and Mark Baird of StorageCraft will speak about new, affordable disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, in addition to:

•   Why backing up your data is no longer sufficient
•   Why disaster recovery and business continuity are now the key to surviving
•   How easy and affordable it is to protect your data, dramatically reduce downtime, and ensure the survival of your business

Attendees will be entered for a chance to win Microsoft Office 2007 Professional 2007, StorageCraft ShadowProtect Desktop Edition, and more.

For more details on this event, or to register, visit the X-BAR event site.

For information on how to protect your home or business from threats such as H1N1 or pandemic flu, flooding, or severe winter weather, visit Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management.

SPU provides free sandbags to homeowners, business owners

beeches — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:19:09 +0000

Seattle Public Utilities is now offering a limited number of free, filled sandbags to households or business owners in flood-prone areas in the Seattle area. If you’ve experienced, or come close to, flooding, you may consider using sandbags, which can help divert water and protect property from debris.

SPU is making up to 25 sandbags available to households or businesses at four locations listed below starting on Friday, November 6th, and Saturday, November 7th. Sandbags are heavy (they weigh about 40 pounds each), so be sure either you, or someone you bring with you, can lift, carry and load the sandbags into your vehicle.

For pickup locations and other details, visit Seattle Public Utilities’ blog, At Your Service.

Workshop: How “Buy Local” marketing campaigns can support neighborhood businesses

beeches — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:16:22 +0000

Business owners and advocates know that local businesses are the heart of Seattle commerce. Promoting these businesses through a carefully implemented “Buy Local” campaign can drive traffic into neighborhood business districts and preserve the city’s best local vendors by creating a dynamic and invested community of shoppers.

On November 10th, Seattle’s Office of Economic Development will host a “Buy Local” marketing strategies workshop with presenter Jeff Milchen, a leading advocate for community-based businesses and co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). City Council President Richard Conlin, an avid supporter of buy local business campaigns, will deliver opening remarks.

Are you a leader in a local chamber or neighborhood business group? A small business owner passionate about promoting the idea of “Buy Local”? This seminar will show you how to fund, design, and execute a successful neighborhood “Buy Local” campaign by building a media presence, mastering website, database, and e-mail essentials, and making city government your ally.

The worshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room (new room!) at City Hall. RSVP by November 5th, 2009 to OED’s Danielle Hursh at 206-733-9254 or danielle.hursh@seattle.gov.

Download the “Buy Local” workshop flyer.

Mayor declares Seattle Sounders FC Day

beeches — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:26:01 +0000

Mayor Greg Nickels today declared Oct. 29, 2009, to be Seattle Sounders FC Day. The proclamation urges residents to raise their scarves in support of the expansion team’s first-ever playoff game this evening at Qwest Field.

“Sounders FC is now the franchise by which all others will be judged, and whose supporters are the envy of clubs everywhere,” said Nickels.

The popularity of Seattle Sounders FC, together with Seattle’s world-class athletic facilities and location, are driving factors behind the city’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 or 2022. The USA Bid Committee announced this summer that Seattle was one of 27 finalists; the field of cities will be winnowed again in May 2010.

Read the Mayor’s press release.

Read more about Seattle’s bid to host the World Cup.

Seattle is No. 1 post-recession mecca for young skilled workers

zauggke — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:46:15 +0000

It’s been awhile since the Wall Street Journal debuted this story, but the news bears repeating: Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the nation’s hottest youth-magnet cities as the country emerges from recession. The flood of “highly mobile, educated workers in their 20s” to these cities is no accident, the WSJ reports. In particular, this important demographic is attracted to Seattle’s strong university presence, abundance of high-tech jobs, thriving arts and culture scene, and proximity to rugged natural terrain.

The article also points out that mobile young workers can determine the future of a city: “Where young adults settle is no small thing. People 18 to 29 are the most mobile age group, and their past migration patterns have defined the future of regions, from the long rural exodus of the 1900s to the Silicon Valley boom of the 1990s. Youth-magnet cities gain an enviable cultural allure and a labor-market edge.”

Read the full coverage at the Wall Street Journal.