Register now for the Ernest I.J. Aguilar Dinner and Auction Endowment Fundraiser

Please join the Aguilar Scholarship Committee, the Latino Community, and the University of Washington for an evening of fine dining and spirited auctioning. We are celebrating the first endowed scholarship for Latino students in the MBA Program at the University of Washington and recognizing Latino MBA students at the UW Michael G. Foster School of Business. The endowed scholarship recognizes Ernest I.J. Aguilar, the founder of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and numerous other community and business organizations. 2009 Ernest I.J. Aguilar Dinner and Auction Endowment Fundraiser.

Here are just a few of this year's auction items:  One week timeshare stay in Hawai'i, jewelry from Ben Bridge, autographed Seattle Seahawks memorabilia, two club seats to a Seattle Sounders FC game, two Alaska Airline tickets for flights within the continental United States, dinner for two at Assagio...and much more!

Space is limited, so visit our website and register online today.

Contact Jesse Robbins at (206) 543-3681 for more information or download our sponsorship information packet to learn how to participate and sponsor this milestone event for the Latino community.

Call for Companies: BEDC South Park & White Center Business Community Development Initiative

Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase

The BEDC is seeking to intensify its work to support business and job growth in West Seattle’s South Park and White Center neighborhoods by stabilizing and then helping to grow 70-85 small businesses. The BEDC will also work to strengthen nonprofit development, employment, and education organizations that serve residents of these communities. [more...]

Save the Date: 2009 UW Minority Business of the Year Awards

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, December 10 as we come together to celebrate the achievements of Washington's minority business community at our 2009 UW Minority Business of the Year Awards.

The BEDC is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Minority Business of the Year Awards.  Anyone may submit a nomination; businesses may even nominate themselves.  The nomination process is quick and easy: simply visit our nomination page and provide the required information.  Once a business is nominated, they are also automatically nominated for the Puget Sound Business Journal's two most popular lists: the 25 Fastest Growing and the 50 Largest Minority Owned Companies.  Award winners will be invited to our Minority Business of the Year Awards dinner in December and will be featured in a Puget Sound Business Journal article.

Nominations will be accepted only through our on-line form and the deadline for nominating a company will be July 31. All nominees will submit their completed applications in August. For more information, please contact Jesse Robbins at (206) 543-3681.

BEDC launches Green Economy Network

“If you don’t go with the trend or things that make you more effective in business, then you’re not going to stay in business.”

As companies seek out environmentally friendly goods and services to reduce costs a new “green economy” is emerging. Much like the technology revolution in the 1990s, the emerging green economy offers opportunities to firms who can be among the early movers. Washington State’s economy is at the center of this change and the BEDC has launched an initiative to insure that minority- and women-owned small businesses have the information they need to profit from this economic evolution.

Starting in July, the BEDC will build a network to provide minority- and women-owned small businesses with timely information on emerging trends, market opportunities, and educational programs. To learn more about this initiative or to sign-up to be a part of the network visit our Green Economy web site.

BEDC celebrates graduation for BEDC Business Certificate Program

The BEDC graduated the first business owners from its Business Certificate Program this spring. The six-session course drew 15 business owners in the Yakima Valley, 30 in Tacoma, and 43 in Seattle. The Yakima Valley course was sponsored by Washington Mutual and was held in conjunction with Yakima Valley Community College and Yakama Tribal Credit Enterprise. The Tacoma course was sponsored by Washington Mutual and held in conjunction with Tacoma Community College. The Seattle course was sponsored by Citi.

Classes covered marketing and branding, leadership, human resources, accounting, and sales taught by Foster School of Business faculty, faculty from our community college  partners, and industry professionals. One class included a panel of successful entrepreneurs who shared their secrets for success. Another class featured presenters from corporate purchasing departments.

The BEDC will be offering the Certificate Program again this fall in Seattle's White Center neighborhood, Tacoma and the Tri-Cities. If you are interested in attending this program please contact Paola Ledesma at 206-616-8090.