WHEREAS, Established as a nonprofit organization in 1986, William M. Factory Small Business Incubator assists in the growth of disadvantaged companies and retains employment of local residents; and
     WHEREAS, The small business incubator helps with transition of people from being government dependent to being self-sufficient, small business owners; and
     WHEREAS, More than 250 people are employed by Incubator-based companies, utilizing local WorkSource, WorkFirst, and Employment Security referrals whenever possible; and
     WHEREAS, The small business incubator is dedicated to economic development in the greater Tacoma and Pierce County area; and
     WHEREAS, About 80 percent of its clients are women and minority business owners; and
     WHEREAS, Its founder, William M. Factory, made enormous contributions to the Tacoma community for more than 40 years, including correcting past injustices that restricted African-American families from purchasing homes in Tacoma's neighborhoods; and
     WHEREAS, Factory served as co-founder and president of Tacoma-Pierce County Small Business Incubator, which received a "Neighborhoods USA" national award in 1988; and
     WHEREAS, He and his wife, Fumiko Sumi, raised their three children, Michael, Darnell, and Doris, in east Tacoma; and
     WHEREAS, On December 6, 2002, William M. Factory Small Business Incubator held a ground-breaking ceremony for its new, three-story, 14,782 square-foot building; and
     WHEREAS, As one of the earliest small business incubators in the country, it has become one of the few nonprofit organizations that has obtained enough capital to construct and own a new facility; and
     WHEREAS, When completed, the Technology Center will provide specialized services for startup companies, including management consulting, financial advice, and technology infrastructure;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize William M. Factory Small Business Incubator for its innovative approach in helping small businesses succeed by providing economic stability to the community and bringing jobs to economically disadvantaged residents; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Reverend Arthur Banks, chairman of William M. Factory Small Business Incubator; Tim Strege, Executive Director; and Mrs. Fumiko Sumi Factory.