Business Technical Assistance

South Sound Business Center

Located at Clover Park Technical College, this is a one-stop shop for small business needs. They offer counseling, financing assistance, and training for small businesses. Nia Lucas can be at or (253) 589-4523

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center promotes economic vitality by providing advice, training and research to entrepreneurs and existing businesses statewide. To learn more visit their website. Contact John Rodenberg at (253) 680-7768 or .

Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises

OMWBE develops programs designed to improve the contributions of minority and women-owned small businesses to the Washington State economy. The OMWBE assists qualified minority and women businesses in the State OMWBE certification process for public contracting and procurement and access to financial opportunities. To learn more visit their website .

South Sound Women’s Business Center

The SSWBC assists all small businesses (primarily woman-owned start ups) on a variety of business subjects—start-up planning, business plans, financials and loan application packages. For more information, visit their website .

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years. Located at Bates Technical School, Room M-123, 101 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405. Contact: (253) 680-7770