Background: Washington has a number of programs that provide technical assistance to businesses. Every county in the state has an Associate Development Organization that receives funds through the Department of Commerce (department) to provide business assistance and support for regional economic research and regional planning efforts. The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides assistance, training, and support services to small businesses and entrepreneurs at 24 locations. The SBDC is to coordinate the delivery of services to avoid duplication.

The Washington Technology Center (WTC) has operated a small business innovation research assistance program to assist small businesses in becoming recipients of federal small business innovation research grants. The Investing in Innovation Grants Program, administered by WTC, was established in 2003, but was not funded. The program is intended to make research grant awards and commercialization grant awards that will create jobs and business opportunities.

The Washington Quality Award Council (WQAC) was created in 1994 to promote a commitment to quality improvement and oversee the Washington State Quality Award Program. The WQAC is authorized to conduct public information, research, education, and assistance programs to further quality improvements in the state. The Washington Manufacturing Innovation and Modernization Extension Service program (MIMES), administered by the department, was created in 2009 to allow Impact Washington (formerly Washington Manufacturing Services) to provide assistance to small manufacturers in a manner that reduces the up-front costs of manufacturing extension services.

Summary of Bill: The department is to operate the Washington Entrepreneurial and Small Business Reference Service. Working with the Workforce Development Board and the Economic Development Commission, the department is to keep an inventory of the entrepreneurial training and small business technical assistance resources in the state, share information about such resources, and evaluate the extent to which the service programs represent an effective and integrated approach to meeting the needs of start-up and existing entrepreneurs. The department is also to assist service providers in seeking funding for their entrepreneurial and small business assistance activities and distribute awards for excellence in entrepreneurial training and assistance. The department is to make recommendations for ways to improve operations or coordination related to entrepreneurial development and small business assistance and may appoint an advisory board.

In carrying out its coordination function, the SBDC is to develop a state comprehensive plan for the coordination and integration of small business and entrepreneurial development programs, and the operations of a statewide small business and entrepreneurial development system. The SBDC is to advocate for the system and the needs of small start-ups and existing entrepreneurs and identify ways to reduce barriers to efficient assistance delivery and coordination. The SBDC is also to develop entrepreneurial training and small business assistance instructional materials and curricula for rural and low-income communities and small manufacturers interested in exporting.

The WTC's small business innovation research assistance program is expanded to include assisting companies applying for federal technology innovation program awards. The investing in innovation account is created with monies from federal, state, and private sources; funds are to be used to operate the WTC's Investing in Innovation Grants Program.

The WQAC must provide training to business assistance providers in continuous quality improvement, performance measurement, strategic planning, and other approaches to improve business operations. The WQAC is also to provide services to organizations, agencies, and businesses to allow them to develop and implement quality management, accountability, and performance systems.

The MIME's termination date is extended five years to June, 30, 2017.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This assures that people looking for technical assistance could have a place to go. This would improve coordination. It is important to invest in small businesses to create jobs. This will allow MIMES to assist companies in making up-front investments. A $10,000 investment in MIMES creates one job – this is one of the best ratios. Businesses getting quality and process improvement assistance have increase return on investment and productivity. This bill's investment will produce long-term results.

OTHER: WA State Microenterprise Association would like to be included in the bill and would like to not have their budget cut.