Washington state’s small business assistance programs in Asotin and Whitman counties help rural entrepreneurs realize startup dreams, attract $20K contribution from Avista
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce’s Startup Washington 365 program is increasing efforts to support entrepreneurs in Asotin and Whitman counties through a new relationship with Inland Northwest Partners (INP). The non-profit based in Liberty Lake, WA is currently recruiting a full-time program manager to lead and build services offered through the Startup Washington Center for Entrepreneurial Success to new businesses in these rural communities.
Education, access to experts in fields such as law and accounting, and a host of mentorship and networking opportunities are available through www.startupasotin.com and www.startupwhitman.com.
“We are excited to build out services that focus on connecting entrepreneurs with resources to further their development, champion entrepreneurship and promote the Startup Washington 365 program throughout the region,” said Sharon Williams, executive director, Inland Northwest Partners/Inland Northwest Economic Alliance.
The Washington state legislature approved $250,000 to fund Commerce’s Startup Washington 365 rural economic development programs through the 2017-19 biennium. Spokane-based investor-owned utility Avista contributed an additional $20,000 to support the new work led by Inland Northwest Partners.
“The contract with Inland Northwest Partners enables us to enhance the Startup Washington 365 program in Southeastern Washington, continuing our focus on helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses,” said Steve Trabun, regional business development manager with Avista. The company was instrumental in establishing and growing Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Startup Spokane program and remains one of its central investors.
“This strategic economic development initiative contributes to Avista’s commitment to create economically healthy and vibrant rural communities,” Trabun said.
“Public-private collaboration is core to the goals and success of Startup Washington 365,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “Nurturing the talent, innovation and drive of home-grown entrepreneurs by connecting them with mentors and professional services spurs economic growth and jobs, strengthening rural communities throughout Washington state.”
Since inception in 2015, Startup Washington 365 has helped nearly 200 entrepreneurs who have succeeded in establishing 51 new ventures.
5-0 Guide Services is one of those early success stories in Asotin County. Owner Greg Egbert established a fishing guide service in Scenic Hells Canyon, offering salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and bass expeditions year-round in North America’s deepest river gorge.
MONDAY'S BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Delivery in Progress: Pro-Growth Tax Reform
The American people are patiently waiting. Waiting for Congress to deliver on pro-growth tax reform.
Slow Confirmations Are Thwarting Progress
Nine months into the Trump administration, an unusually high number of senior positions remain vacant. As of September 28, only 170 of President Trump’s nominees for key federal appointments had been approved, compared with 342 at this point in the Obama administration and 370 in the George W. Bush administration. This is leaving holes in our nation’s leadership that hamper operations and, in some cases, could stall economic growth.
Why is this happening? It’s true that the Trump administration has had a slow start to the nomination process, but this isn’t the full story. In fact, the president has already nominated approximately 280 individuals who are languishing in procedural limbo. Some in the Senate are forcing nominees to go through a time-consuming process designed to slow down confirmations. Rather than confirming noncontroversial nominees by voice vote—as the Senate has done in prior administrations—the Senate minority is forcing some confirmations to go through what is called the cloture process, which takes longer to complete. By one estimate, at the current pace it will take 11 years to confirm all the president’s nominees.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/slow-confirmations-are-thwarting-progress
US DEPT. OF LABOR: STATEMENT BY U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ACOSTA ON THE SEPTEMBER JOBS REPORT
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement on the September 2017 Employment Situation report:
“Even as parts of our nation recover from multiple devastating hurricanes, September’s jobs report reflects the resilience of the American economy.
“The bottom line is this: 154.35 million Americans are employed compared to 153.44 million the previous month, an increase of 906,000. The number of paychecks earned for the week of September 10th through 16th declined by 33,000, largely reflecting Irma’s devastating landfall on September 10th. The difference in these two numbers is that more Americans are employed, yet many missed a paycheck in September. These Americans are counted as employed for purposes of the employment survey but not for purposes of the jobs (payroll) survey. Thus, while more individuals are employed—which is why the unemployment rate decreased—33,000 fewer individuals received a paycheck for the survey period.
“The unemployment rate declined to 4.2 percent, the lowest since February 2001. This is the first month that the unemployment rate for women, presently at 3.9 percent, has been below 4 percent since June 2007. The labor force participation rate increased 0.2 percentage point to 63.1 percent. In short, more Americans are working both as a percent of our population and as an overall number.
“As parts of our nation recover from the recent hurricanes, the Department of Labor is working closely with states and territories to help them assess workforce needs so that Americans can return to work or find a new job. Getting dislocated workers back on their feet is a top priority.
“I would like to thank the men and women of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for their outstanding work conducting these surveys under difficult circumstances.”
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/opa/opa20171006
IRS: Tax Filing Extension Expires Oct. 16 for Millions of Taxpayers; Check Eligibility for Overlooked Tax Benefits
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged taxpayers who have a filing extension through Oct. 16 to check their returns for often-overlooked tax benefits. When they are ready to file, the IRS recommends they file their return electronically using IRS e-file or the Free File system. Both are still available for taxpayers who still need to file their return.
Although Oct. 16 is the last day for most people to file, some individuals -- such as members of the military serving in a combat zone -- are allowed more time to file. Typically, they have until 180 days after they leave the combat zone to both file their return and pay any taxes due.
In addition, taxpayers who have a valid extension and are in or affected by a federally declared disaster area may be allowed more time to file. Currently, taxpayers in parts of Michigan, West Virginia and those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria qualify for this relief. See the disaster relief page on IRS.gov for details.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-filing-extension-expires-oct-16-for-millions-of-taxpayers-check-eligibility-for-overlooked-tax-benefits
Federal Reserve Board announces public comment period has been extended through November 30, 2017, on two related proposals; enhance effectiveness of boards of directors at banks and new rating system for large firms.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/orders20171005a.htm
Federal Reserve Board announces approval of application by Columbia Banking System, Inc.
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced its approval of the application under section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 by Columbia Banking System, Inc., Tacoma, Washington, to acquire Pacific Continental Corporation ("Pacific") and thereby indirectly acquire Pacific's subsidiary bank, Pacific Continental Bank, both of Eugene, Oregon.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/orders20171006a.htm
Statement From U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on the Release of President Trump’s Immigration Priorities
President Trump's tighter border controls have already reduced greatly the influx of illegal aliens, but he needs legislation to finish the task. I support his request to secure our borders, swiftly return illegal entrants, stop visa fraud and overstays, sanctuary cities, asylum abuse and chain immigration, as well as exploitative employment of illegal aliens. This will take money for more ICE officers, more federal prosecutors and more physical barriers. That will be money well spent!
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2017/10/statement-us-secretary-commerce-wilbur-ross-release-president-trumps
Treasury Releases Second Report On The Administration’s Core Principles Of Financial Regulation
WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a report detailing how to streamline and reform the U.S. regulatory system for the capital markets. Treasury’s evaluation of current capital market regulations found that there are significant reforms that can be undertaken to promote growth and vibrant financial markets while maintaining strong investor protections. The report issued today was in response to Executive Order 13772 issued by President Trump on February 3rd, which calls on Treasury to identify laws and regulations that are inconsistent with a set of Core Principles of financial regulation.
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0173.aspx
WORLD AND NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS
Turkey urges U.S. to review visa suspension as lira, stocks tumbleANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey urged the United States on Monday to review its suspension of visa services after the arrest of a U.S. consulate employee sharply escalated tensions between the two NATO allies and drove Turkey’s currency and stocks lower.
Merkel deems migrant deal good for coalition talks but Greens skeptical
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday an agreement within her conservative bloc on limiting migrants would help forge a new government coalition, but one of the key partners, the Greens, said it would not become policy.
Trump's popularity is slipping in rural America: poll
(Reuters) - Outside the Morgan County fair in McConnelsville, in a rural swath of Ohio that fervently backed U.S. President Donald Trump in last year’s election, ticket seller John Wilson quietly counts off a handful of disappointments with the man he helped elect.
EPA chief to sign rule on Clean Power Plan exit on Tuesday
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Monday he would sign a proposed rule on Tuesday to begin withdrawing from the Clean Power Plan, former President Barack Obama’s centerpiece regulation to fight climate change.
Daily Bible Verse: You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
Deuteronomy 13:4 NKJV
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