State Launches Spring 2008 Small Business Roundtables

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2008

Washington is Open for Business

OLYMPIA � The state of Washington launches its 2008 Small Business Roundtable series May 20 to learn about challenges faced by small businesses and discuss solutions.

Four free roundtables will take place this year. The dates and locations are:

� Longview, May 20, 2008
� Bremerton, May 22, 2008
� Everett, May 28, 2008
� Wenatchee, May 29, 2008

All events will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

�Washington is a great place to do business, and Fortune magazine recently declared Washington the fourth best state in the nation to start a small business,� said Gov. Chris Gregoire. �But we have a special responsibility to keep it that way by making sure state agencies are as responsive as possible.�

Participating agencies include the Governor�s Office of Regulatory Assistance, Washington State Department of Revenue, Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Security Department, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, and Office of Minority and Women�s Business Enterprises.

�The Open for Business Forums are an important part of our Next Washington strategy for economic competitiveness,� Gregoire said. �These events are a tremendous opportunity for business and government to work together toward an effective partnership.�

The roundtables are intended for business owners and managers of companies with fewer than 20 employees, businesses owned by minority groups, and startups and sole proprietorships looking to expand. Feedback and suggestions gathered at the roundtables will be reported to Gov. Gregoire and used to develop recommendations for action.

�Achieving economic vitality depends on a healthy business environment,� said Faith Lumsden, director of the Governor�s Office of Regulatory Assistance. �We want to hear about where state government is doing well and where it needs improvement. Please tell us what it takes to make Washington an easy and affordable place to do business.�
Because of roundtables conducted in other areas of the state last year, the state increased funding of small business development centers around the state, designated business liaisons within state agencies, and improved a centralized business web site to make it easier for businesses to meet their local, state and federal regulatory requirements.

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