SEQUIM — The U.S. Small Business Administration Seattle District Office — together with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the city of Sequim and others — have teamed up for a series of small business lectures later this month.
Rural Strong Washington, an initiative to spur economic development in Sequim and the coastal Washington area, will offer ways to better connect local businesses with tools and resources at talks at various Sequim venues Wednesday, March 27, and Friday, March 29.
Admission will be free. RSVPs are not required to attend but are recommended. Registration for all four events can be done at tinyurl.com/PDN-small business.
Here is the seminar schedule:
March 27
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. — HUBZone 101 Info Session, Sequim Library, south meeting room, 630 N. Sequim Ave.
The presentation will explain how to sell to the federal government using a Historically Underutilized Business Zone certification.
• 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Funding Programs Info Session, Sequim Civic Center, 152 W. Cedar St.
This session will discuss Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs, USDA Rural Development loan and grant programs and introduce attendees to local lenders and other funding sources.
March 29
• 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Small Business Town Hall, Sequim Civic Center.
This meeting will focus on no-cost and low-cost resources available to small businesses from SBA, the city, the North Olympic Development Council and others.
The town hall will conclude with a question-and-answer session and an opportunity to provide feedback on federal regulations to the SBA’s regional advocate.
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Grow Your Business Internationally, Sequim Civic Center.
This session will introduce manufacturers and agribusinesses to the process for exporting goods and the resources available to help them do so.
Sequim Mayor Dennis Smith will speak.
Smith and Kerrie Hurd, Seattle district director of the Small Business Administration, will meet with local economic development partners March 27 and visit local small businesses March 28.