Washington APEX Accelerator and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce held the first "Yes, You Can! Contracts with the Government" workshop of the year on Thursday, May 30. Attendees learned about navigating procurement portals, certifications, understanding contract types, and more. Two sessions were held - one in English, one in Spanish - in order to better serve the diverse Tri-Cities community.

The "Yes, You Can! Contracts with the Government" workshop series is designed to equip local business owners with the tools and knowledge needed in the realm of government procurement. The program is generously sponsored by Tire Factory.

​The next session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (registration will open soon). 

Kris Johnson, President & CEO of the Association of Washington Business (AWB), spoke at the Regional Chamber’s Leader Luncheon on May 15. Transformational Regional Chamber members were invited to attend the luncheon to get a deep dive into issues that AWB is tracking for this election cycle and next year's legislative session. Items of note included transportation funding, childcare funding, labor shortages, housing prices, and more.

Leader Luncheons are an exclusive feature for Regional Chamber members at the Leader level and above. For more information on joining the Chamber or upgrading your membership, contact Tracie Boothe, Membership Director, at 509.491.3236 or [email protected].

The Legislative Session Wrap-Up Membership Luncheon on May 29, 2024 was a huge success! 8th District Rep. Stephanie Barnard, 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, 15th District Sen. Nikki Torres, and 16th District Sen. Perry Dozier shared updates on the latest laws and pivotal changes from the recent legislative session. Nearly 300 attendees were informed on legislative issues important to the business community. Thanks to Energy Northwest for sponsoring the impactful luncheon.

Washington state has some of the most generous unemployment benefits in the country. There are currently 10 different reasons you may leave your job and still qualify for unemployment benefits.
These 10 reasons include:

1. Taking Another Job:
2. Health Reasons:
3. Relocation
4. Pay Reduction
5. Unsafe Working Conditions
6. Domestic Violence or Stalking
7. Religious or Moral Beliefs
8. Reporting Issues
9. Approved Training
10. Working Multiple Jobs

You can learn more about these circumstances by visiting the Employment Security Website here.

In 2013, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1106, adding additional circumstances to the list.
The Employment Security Department is currently working on establishing rules for the implementation of this bill. The current focus of the rulemaking process is on "split shifts" and ensuring that reasons such as lack of childcare or caring for a vulnerable adult are included.

Employment Security Department has filed a proposed rulemaking, which includes details on the public hearing scheduled for July 11, 2024. You can also send any comments or suggestions regarding the rulemaking to [email protected]. 

​The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted in 2021 and effective from January 1, 2024, is a federal law that aims to combat illicit activities such as money laundering, terrorism financing, tax fraud, and other misconduct through business entities. It does so by requiring certain U.S. businesses to report information about their beneficial owners and controlling persons.

Under the CTA, entities deemed to be “Reporting Companies” are required to report.  A “Reporting Company” under the CTA is defined as any company that is created by filing a document with a governmental agency (including a federally recognized Indian Tribe), such as a corporation, a limited liability company, or a limited partnership; or a foreign-formed entity that is registered or registers to do business in the United States. Not all entities are considered “Reporting Companies”. The CTA generally applies to smaller and medium-sized legal entities, including shell companies. These are entities that:

• Are not subject to supervision by other regulatory agencies (e.g., entities regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or organizations that are tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code).
• Employ fewer than twenty-one full-time employees and generate less than $5 million in annual U.S. revenue.

Reporting companies are required to provide the following information about beneficial owners and controlling persons: their names, addresses, birthdays, and identification numbers (such as a license or passport number), and the jurisdiction of the documents.

The penalties for not complying with the CTA are quite severe. They include both civil and criminal penalties:

• Civil Penalties: If a reporting company fails to comply with the CTA, it can be fined up to $500 per day for each day the violation continues.​
• Criminal Penalties: In addition to civil penalties, there are also criminal penalties for failing to comply with the CTA’s requirements. Non-compliant entities can face a prison term of up to two years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

These penalties underscore the importance of compliance with the CTA’s reporting requirements. If you’re unsure how to comply with the CTA, it’s recommended to seek guidance from a business advisor or legal professional.

The impact of the CTA on small businesses across the United States is significant. It imposes broad ownership disclosure obligations on any entity formed or doing business in the United States.

Recently, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama held the CTA to be unconstitutional as a matter of law on March 1, 2024. This case will undoubtedly be appealed.  As a result, the CTA remains in full effect except as to members of the National Small Business Association (NSBA) and possibly reporting companies in the Northern District of Alabama.
​
Stay tuned for more information.

Reference:  Business Law Today , US Chamber of Commerce

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with our partners at Associated General Contractors, Educational Service District 123 and the Tri-Tech Skills Center are holding our 2024 Career Signing Day on Tuesday, June 11 in the Bechtel Board Room at 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd. Kennewick.

A “Career Signing Day” is a special event designed to recognize and celebrate high school students who are choosing to enter career pathways leading to in-demand careers and occupations directly from high school. This event is like the traditional College Signing Day, where high school graduates pledge to attend a particular college or university. However, Career Signing Day focuses on students who commit to a career after high school.

The goal of our event is to show students that these are good jobs and to celebrate the employers who are giving the student the opportunity for a skilled, hands-on career without accumulating college debt. 

During a Career Signing Day, students are recognized for their commitment to a skilled job. They sign a letter of intent, indicating their commitment to work in a specific field after graduation.

In summary, Career Signing Day is a celebration of students' commitment to enter the workforce immediately after high school, particularly in trades and other in-demand occupations.

If you know of a graduating senior that is eligible to participate in the ceremony or perhaps you are an employer that is hiring a new graduate, let the Chamber know. We'd love to include you!

Congratulations to B5 Community Learning Center on the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of their new location! The new facility is located at 715 S. Jean Place in Kennewick.

Congratulations to Core Collective 509 on their ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 16! Their beautiful new location is located at 3600 S. Zintel Way, Ste. B in Kennewick.

Over 70 people attended the Washington APEX Accelerator Meet the Agencies Tri-Cities event on Tuesday, May 14 at the Clover Island Inn. The special workshop was dedicated to helping local contractors learn more about public works contracting, featuring representatives from Benton County, the City of Pasco, the City of Richland, the Port of Pasco, and more.