Business owners in Kirkland who identify as minorities or women might just see their companies grow, thanks to a new initiative aimed at giving them a competitive edge. The City of Kirkland has partnered with the Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to roll out a series of state certification workshops. These events are designed to help local small businesses get recognized and thereby increase their chances to score work with various public entities.
Starting October 9, Kirkland City Hall will become a hub for empowerment, allowing business owners to directly obtain their state certifications. The facilities will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 123 5th Ave, and the best part? No registration is required to take part. However, for those who cannot make it in person, or prefer to engage digitally, two additional workshops are scheduled to take place virtually. It's necessary to register for these online sessions scheduled for November 12, from 5 - 7 p.m., and December 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In discussing the upcoming certification series, Deputy Mayor Arnold said, "A certification from OMWBE enhances opportunities for work with state agencies, school districts, public universities, and local governments like Kirkland." This quote, sourced from the official Kirkland city website, highlights the potential benefits for businesses that achieve the state certification. Arnold reiterated the city's commitment to inclusivity, acknowledging the concerted effort by multiple agencies to make accessible opportunities a reality for the talented business community of Kirkland.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the City of Kirkland and the state of Washington to foster diversity and growth in the economic landscape. By offering these workshops free of charge and with flexibility in attendance, it seeks to eliminate barriers that have traditionally held some businesses back. As Deputy Mayor Arnold put it, "The City of Kirkland, the state of Washington, and other agencies are putting a lot of thought into making inclusive policies and procedures to offer greater opportunity to talented local businesses and service providers."
