Tacoma EDB - General Business Resources

Small Business Development Center

Sponsored by Washington State University (and housed at Bates Technical College), the SBDC provides no-fee, confidential, one-on-one counseling to small businesses on all management topics. John Rodenberg serves as the Business Development Specialist for the Small Business Development Center. Email John jrodenberg@bates.ctc.edu 253-680-7768. Click for more information.

The Center for Business Development

The Center for Business Development at Clover Park Technical College is a one-stop shop for small business needs. They offer counseling, financing assistance, and training for small businesses. Email Carol Davis-Clark carol.davis-clark@cptc.edu or call 253-589-5515. Click for more information.

Washington Manufacturing Services

WMS is a not-for-profit organization focused on helping manufacturers in Washington compete. WMS offers a variety of services, including consulting regarding lean manufacturing, plant layout, etc. Email Michael O’Bryon mobryon@wamfg.org of WMS or call 253-761-2020. Their services are fee-based; however, they do provide a free initial consultation. Click for more information.

Energy Audits from Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy offers free energy audits to its business clients to help them lower their energy costs.

Energy Audits from Tacoma Power

Tacoma Power offers free energy audits to its business clients to help them lower their energy costs. They can review your energy consumption and identify potential ways to reduce and better manage your electrical power. If you are interested in pursuing this, please contact Jon Palmer-Williams from TPU’s Energy Services Division. Jon can be reached at 253-502-8548.

County Regulatory Concerns

Joe Phillips in Pierce County's Economic Development Division is the Assistant to the County Executive for Business Services. He can help businesses who are having permitting challenges with Pierce County. Email Joe jphilli@co.pierce.wa.us or call 253-798-3813.

BEST

Pierce County companies that are facing regulatory challenges related to environmental issues, or that are interested in working on reducing carbon footprint may be interested in working with Citizens for a Healthy Bay (CHB). Through their Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tacoma (BEST) program, CHB aims to help businesses in the areas of energy and water conservation, recycling, waste reduction, and storm water pollution prevention. For more information about the BEST program, contact Bill Anderson at 253-383 2429, or visit their website.

TREE

Businesses can receive free, non-regulatory, and confidential technical-assistance from Washington State Department of Ecology engineers and scientists. Through the TREE (Technical Resources for Engineering Efficiency) program businesses work with Ecology to find ways to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and save money. Lynn Coleman can be reached at 360-407-6738 or lcol461@ecy.wa.gov.