Opportunities for Government Contracting

Businesses looking to win government contracts will have the opportunity at the Greater Pierce County Purchasing Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the STAR Center, 3873 S 66th St in Tacoma. Click here for map and directions.

Learn first-hand how to register and compete for contracts with federal, state, and local government agencies, meet one-on-one with purchasing agents, network with other Pierce County business owners and managers, and participate in breakout sessions.

• Panelists and exhibitors include 
• Pierce County
• City of Tacoma
• Port of Tacoma
• Washington State Department of Transportation
• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
• Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
• Native PTAC
• NAVSUP Fleet Logics Center-Puget Sound
• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• Tacoma Public Schools
• Pierce Transit
• Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council
• King County Director Association (KCDA) School Purchasing Consortium
• Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises

Register online or contact Hans Kueck at (253) 798-2335 or email.

Trade and Investment Summit (July 14-15)

4^th Annual Pacific Northwest – China  Trade and Investment Summit.

The World Trade Center Tacoma Summit will include around 20 investors and trade professionals from China, most of whom are interested in food and beverages, EB-5 and other investment opportunities. 

Prices for registration, booths, and matchmaking slots can be found on the WTCT website: http://wtcta.org/event/pacific-northwest-china-trade-investment-summit .

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FINAL SUPPORT ACTION NEEDED FOR TPA NOW

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Chambers Support Federal Permitting Reform

Today, with the support of the Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber, the US Chamber of Commerce delivered to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs in support of S. 280, the Federal Permitting Improvement Act of 2015 a letter was signed over 300 state and local chambers and associations throughout the country urging Congressional leaders to act to fix the broken federal permitting process.

Additionally, today, US Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue published commentary in The Examiner regarding the broken federal permitting process for critical energy and infrastructure projects.  The piece included an infographic showing the wide variations between past and present permitting delays.  Citing the Project No Project study (2010), the Chamber found over 350 projects that were cancelled, delayed, or litigated indefinitely during the permitting process.

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Chambers Across Nation Support TPA

Following is the letter to Congress, the Senate Finance Committee and the press in support of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which the Tacoma-Pierce Co.  Chamber signed. 

Voicing your support with your Congressional delegation in support of this TPA legislation is critical, this week particularly to Senators on the Senate Finance Committee and Representatives on the House Ways and Means.  A comprehensive library of resources making the case for TPA can be found below, including a link to send a letter.

UPDATE:  4-22-2015:  The Senate Finance Committee markup has been postponed until later today (likely around 4pm EDT) due to an objection by Senator Bernie Sanders regarding the committee meeting for more than two hours while the Senate is in session.
 

This Week Critical to Support TPA

Late last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, Ranking Member Ron Wyden, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan introduced the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, legislation that will renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).  

Thjs Chamber, the U.S Chamber and many of you have been outspoken in favor renewing TPA, which is needed to achieve high-quality trade deals that open markets, benefit American workers and job creators, and grow the economy. (A multi-industry letter, which lists nearly 300 organizations from all 50 states weighing in on behalf of TPA was delivered to Capitol Hill this morning.)

As Senate and House leadership, and President Obama lead a bi-partisan effort to pass this legislation, several important hearings have been scheduled this week on Capitol Hill.  U.S. Chamber President & CEO Tom Donohue will testify before the Senate Finance Committee this morning; this will be followed by a Senate Finance Committee mark-up tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22.  On the House side, Ways and Means has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday morning, and a mark-up may be held as early as Thursday.  Strong votes out of committee are crucial to building momentum in advance of Floor consideration.

Voicing your support with your Congressional delegation in support of this TPA legislation is critical, this week particularly to Senators on the Senate Finance Committee and Representatives on the House Ways and Means.  A comprehensive library of resources making the case for TPA can be found below, including a link to send a letter.

Suggested talking points for a phone call to Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Members might be along the lines of:

-          Exports are critical to our state and community, which is why we are supportive of our nation’s robust trade agenda.

-          As your committee looks at these issues this week, we urge you to support the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 -  bipartisan legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) that was introduced last week by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI).

-          TPA not only gives Congress a seat at the table in our on-going trade negotiations, it gives Congress the final say on a trade agreement in an up or down vote.

-          Growth and jobs in our state depends on our ability to sell our goods and services to the 95% of the world’s customers that live outside the United States. TPA will help us seize the benefits of trade.

-          We urge you to support the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act as introduced.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, and please let us know what you learn in your outreach to your Members of Congress.

Register for State of the Port

Annual Port Report
State of the Port by Port Commissioner, Don Johnson

Jan 23, 2015

11:15 am - 1:00 pm
Fabulich Center, Port of Tacoma
3600  Port of Tacoma Rd, Tacoma 98424

Come and hear from Port Commission President Don Johnson.

The WTCT is excited to welcome you to a special opportunity to hear about the Port of Tacoma's key areas of success as well as some of their concerns from 2014.

A significant part of the program will include some of the Port's exciting vision for 2015.

Some time for questions will be provided toward the end of the luncheon.

Members: $30  Non-Members: $40
Register

Gaining Customers & Profit in Trade

The Washington Export Outreach Team - Export 101: From Your Door to the World Seminar event is unique as it walks companies through the exporting process.

It introduces the Local, State and Federal resources to assist them with this process.  These resources can help companies in all stages of the export business continuum including New to Business (NTBs), New-To Export (NTEs), New-To-Market (NTMs), and Expanding Market (EMs) companies.  The companies will also have the opportunity for one-on-one networking with the Local, State and Federal resources at the end of the event.     

What: Export 101: From Your Door to the World Seminar

When: Thursday, August 7, 2014 – From: 8:30 am – To: 5:00 pm
Where: The Rainier Room at the Truitt Building, 102 West Main St. Auburn, WA 98001

Cost: $75.00 per person

Materials and lunch will be provided

Register here as Space is limited.

Individual counseling sessions are available. Contact Zara Castillo for more details

Did you know 95% of potential customers live outside of the U.S.? It’s time to learn how to connect with them.

Attend the Export 101: From Your Door to the World, to access local resources to help your small business expand globally at this full day seminar covering:

Presented by the Washington Export Outreach Team (WEOT): Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington (EFACW), Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Export Readiness Center, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Washington State Department of Commerce.

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. will be providing a logistics presentation.

The workshop will feature presentations on the following topics:

•  Developing an export business plan

•  Determining appropriate international markets

•  Finding qualified buyers, agents, and distributors

•  Determining pricing and methods of payment

•  Mitigating non-payment risks and financing export transactions

•  Shipping your product overseas

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Tacoma Loan Program for Commercial Property Owners

The City has announced a new loan program to help commercial and retail property owners invest in historic properties. The Historic Rehabilitation and Repair Loan Program (HRRLP) encourages rehabilitation, preservation and adaptive reuse.

“Tacoma’s historic properties give our community character and provide a lot of appeal. We want them occupied, looking good and open for business,” said Reuben McKnight, the City’s Historic Preservation Officer.

People with properties listed on Tacoma Register of Historic Places who are approved and meet underwriting criteria can use the loans to make envelope improvements, building systems and restoration or repair of exterior historic elements, so long as the projects meet historic preservation guidelines.

Interest rates will be low - based on the 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note, plus 1 percent. The loans, which can paid back over ten years, will range from $20,000 to $100,000 and provide up to 50 percent in gap financing in combination with the borrower's other financial resources. The City’s program protects the public’s investment by placing a temporary lien on the property that’s removed once the load is repaid.

According to McKnight, “This tool will provide a non-conventional option which can make the difference in tipping the scale towards investment.”

Exclusively residential properties, additions and routine maintenance are excluded from the program. For more details or an application, contact Jacinda Howard, in the City’s Community and Economic Development Department, or (253) 591-5221.

Three Steps for the Ex-Im Bank

1) Tell Congress to Reauthorize the  Export-Import Bank
2) Sign onto the letter to Congress - Deadline June 4, 2014

 UPDATE JUNE 25, 2014 - SEE THE LETTER AND THE 865 SIGNATORIES HERE.

3) Show Your Support for the Ex-Im Bank!

As the Wall Street Journal noted last Wednesday, the Export-Import Bank of the United States plays a crucial role in our economy. Last year, Ex-Im supported the purchase of $37.4 billion worth of exports that created or sustained approximately 205,000 American jobs at 3,400 companies. It is especially important to small and medium-sized businesses, which account for nearly 90 percent of the Ex-Im's transactions.

Ex-Im will expire on September 30, 2014, without Congressional reauthorization. We urge you to show your support for Ex-Im and the opportunities it creates by signing our letter to Congress and encouraging your business members to do the same.

Additionally, we invite you to join U.S. Chamber's Senior Director Christopher Wenk and Senior Vice President Jack Howard on a conference call Wednesday, May 28 at 1:00 pm EST. They will discuss Ex-Im's effect on the business community and how your organization can benefit from its reauthorization. To register for the call, click here.

We appreciate your support and look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday.
Get involved!
•    Sign onto the letter to Congress (Collecting signatures from companies, Chambers, associations, and more. All are welcome! Deadline June 4)
•     Join us on May 28 for a conference call
•     Visit our website www.uschamber.com/ex-im
•    See the companies in each congressional district that utilize Ex-Im Bank
•     Check out the small business stories here and here
•    Download the Chamber's pamphlet on ExIm
•    Get the "Myths and Facts about the Export-Import Bank of the United States"

Port of Tacoma's Horse Race

The Port of Tacoma's annual breakfast will present attendees with news about unprecedented changes in the international container industry that is forcing ports and shippers to think and act differently.  Register here.

Grow Your Business Thru Trade with Mexico

Are you interested in building a trade and business relationship with Mexico. The Puget Sound Latina Chamber of Commerce is offering a workshop to Grow Your Business Through Trade.

 

Chamber Encourages Gov. Inslee to Sign for Law School

The greater Tacoma and South Sound community is working hard to raise the funds necessary to launch the planned law school at the University of Washington Tacoma.

The legislature stepped up in a bi-partisan way to provide seed funding in the state’s budget. Many are encouraging Gov. Jay Inslee to sign the budget inclusive of the $400,000 line item.

Grants for "Made in America" Firms

Do you know of Washington companies with products or services that are “Made in America”?

Many U.S. companies are eligible to receive up to $75,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program, to help fund projects of their choice.

I have attached information on this program that I hope you will share.  If you are interested in discussing our program or if you know of any companies that might qualify, please feel free to contact:

Patrick Meuleman, Client Development Manager, NW Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
Phone:  208-343-6855; www.nwtaac.org, Fax:  208-343-6856
223 North 6th St, Suite 300, Boise, ID 83702

The Dimensions of State's Export Growth

The state of Washington set a new record for exports in 2013 with $81.9 billion in products and services sold to international customers.

The most recent year was particularly good for Washington – an 8.4% increase – but in the past five years the state has nearly tripled the national growth rate. Since 1996, Washington’s exports grew 209% compared to 153% for the nation.

Washington’s export growth is led by aerospace, with international sales that last year totaled $43.6 billion, an 18% increase over 2012. Other top Washington exports include fuel, industrial machinery, wheat, electric machinery, medical instruments, and wood.

Also impressive is a spike in the number of Washington companies engaged in exporting: 12,677 according to most recent U.S. Commerce data, up from 8,551 in the last survey.

Building on strong results from aerospace and increased agriculture commodity prices, the Washington State Department of Commerce has worked continuously over the past several years to broaden the pipeline of companies selling Washington products and services overseas. Success stories can be found in other key industries including advanced manufacturing, global health and life sciences, information and communications technology, clean energy and the maritime sector.

“With at least one in three jobs in Washington related to international trade, creating a culture of exporting is a key pillar of our economic development agenda,” said Washington State Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “Companies from a variety of industry sectors have opportunities to reach new customers in some of the fastest growing economies in the world. We have increased focus on successful export assistance programs to help more new-to-export small- and medium-sized businesses compete in the global marketplace.”

For more information about export assistance available from the Washington State Department of Commerce, visit here.  For more information on Washington’s international trade, view Commerce’s Trade Update – Winter 2014.

UPDATE:  1-25-2014
 In 2013, every $1 billion of U.S. exports supported nearly 5,600 jobs. Goods exports supported 7.1 million jobs in 2013, up 1.1 million positions from 2009. Services exports supported 4.2 million jobs in 2013, which is a record for the noted 20 year period.

Government Procurement Trade Show & Matchmaking

Procurement conference where you may connect with government in a high-quality forum for businesses interested in selling to the government, prime contractors and government buyers seeking to reach businesses.

Why should you attend?

Meet the buyers: Alliance is the largest business-to-government event in the region where you can meet agency buyers and prime contractors that buy what you sell.  There is no better way to develop relationships with those in the marketplace than to participate fully in the event.  You’ll leave the event with a pocket full of business cards and valuable information on how to find, bid, and win government contracts.

Learn How to Succeed:  Alliance features high quality workshops not found anywhere else in the region.  You’ll hear from government purchasing experts, prime contractors, and government representatives on what it takes to succeed in the competitive government marketplace.

Go here for complete details and to register. If you have any questions please contact Traci or Alisa at 360-754-6320.

Planning the Port-Industrial Area's Future

At this month's Manufacturers-Industries-Maritime (M-I-M) meeting, two major planning documents underway were featured. Having completed their draft phases, requiring complementary and collaborative efforts by the Port of Tacoma and the City of Tacoma, these land use and transportation plans identify policies and action strategies to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

Kell McAboy, Planning Manager, Port of Tacoma, explained the Port of Tacoma’s land use and transportation planning that will identify policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The land use and transportation plan will build on the goals and initiatives in its Strategic Plan by providing information, policies and recommendations to support capital improvements, attract private investments and encourage economic growth.

The plan will be a policy-based document that identifies and prioritizes actions needed to achieve the Port's goals. It will act as a form of communication for decision makers and be designed to guide development over a 10 to 20 year planning horizon.

The area of focus for the plan is the Port of Tacoma Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC) as designated by the Puget Sound Regional Council. Here is the link to the DRAFT Plan.

The City of Tacoma enjoys the economic contributions of the Port of Tacoma. 

Ian Munce, Special Assistant to the Director of Planning & Development Services, City of Tacoma explained the City of Tacoma’s collaboration with the Port of Tacoma, in preparing a Container Port Element (CPE).

In order to protect the unique and critical infrastructure and industrial node of our state’s intermodal ports, in 2009, the Washington State Legislature amended the Growth Management Act (GMA) to include a requirement for a Container Port Element (CPE) in the GMA Comprehensive Plan for cities that contain a marine container port with annual operating revenues in excess of $60 million.

The legislative intent is “… to ensure that local land use decisions are made in consideration of the long-term and widespread economic contribution of our international container ports and related industrial lands and transportation systems and to ensure that container ports continue to function effectively alongside vibrant city waterfronts.” RCW 36.70A.085

Accordingly, the City of Tacoma, in collaboration with the Port of Tacoma, has prepared a Container Port Element for public review. Consistent with state requirements, the element provides policy guidance to achieve the following:

•         Protection of core areas of container port and port-related industrial areas within the City

•         Efficient access to the core area through freight corridors within the city limits

•         Protection against potential land use conflicts along the edge of the core area

•         Identification of key transportation corridor improvements.

The text of the Proposed CPE, together with background information, can be found on the City Website. To access the webpage for the CPE visit the Planning Services Division’s homepage and click on “Container Port Element”, or go directly to the CPE.