BILL REQ. #:  H-0326.3 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to creating an office of entrepreneurial development; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Washington has a strong entrepreneurial culture within its urban areas, however, the rural communities have not enjoyed comparable economic growth and vitality. In addition, Washington leads the nation not only in business creation, but it is also one of the top states for business failures. New businesses have a better chance of survival if they receive early stage technical assistance and adequate access to capital.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The office of entrepreneurial development is established in the department of community, trade, and economic development. The purpose of the office of entrepreneurial development is to focus on developing and coordinating programs that assist in creating entrepreneurial activity. The office will:
     (a) Work with secondary and higher education institutions, small business development centers, small business incubators, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and state and federal agencies to provide education, training, and technical assistance that increases entrepreneurial literacy, skills, and experiences;
     (b) Work with state and federal agencies, commercial banks and other lending institutions, federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, community development financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations to provide training and outreach to increase entrepreneurs access to funding;
     (c) Work with small business incubators, chambers of commerce, federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, local community action centers, ports, public utility districts, and economic development councils to help create an entrepreneurial culture, which may include community asset mapping, leadership training, and the use of industry cluster strategies;
     (d) Convene work groups of rural community stakeholders to identify policies that are barriers to entrepreneurship;
     (e) Work with the rural development councils on business and project development by conducting assessments of communities to determine what a community requires for development and to develop strategies to assist the community in developing. The department and the rural development councils shall submit an initial report to the appropriate committees of the legislature with policy recommendations by December 1, 2005; and
     (f) Have the authority to convene a partnership of appropriate state agencies and stakeholders to implement the strategic regional and community plans.
     (2) Until July 1, 2010, the focus of the office of entrepreneurial development will be on the rural communities of Washington. Beginning July 1, 2010, the office shall perform its obligations under this section for businesses located throughout the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, to carry out the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, to carry out the purposes of this act.