Start a Business in Washington State Check List
Provided by the Thurston EDC

Available in additional languages below:
Intro to Business Startup Course

Available in additional languages below:
Join us November 19, 2020 as we announce our new Free PPE Program! WOBA President, Wes Weller will be providing details on how you can order Free PPE for your business, to help allow West Olympia businesses to remain open and operate safely this winter.
For the inaugural 15 Minute Forum, local business owner Eddie Nelson [The Olympia Furniture Company] and marketing expert Jeff Bowe [Experience Olympia] joined us to share some tips and tricks for getting the word out about your business during COVID-19.
15 Minute Forums are casual conversations that will give you the opportunity to hear directly from your fellow West Olympians about their strategies, what has gone well, and what has not. In support of our local businesses during this time, we have included a recording below.
August 2020 15 Minute Forum | Marketing During COVID-19
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director from the City of Olympia, joined us on June 18th to discuss local resources available to local businesses. Mike spoke about Simplified Sidewalks, Thurston Strong, Free PPE, and the efforts of the city to help businesses cope with the impacts of the pandemic.
In support of our business community during these unprecedented times, we have included the recording of the presentation below.
June 2020 Association Meeting | COVID-19: Local Resources for Our Community
Additional Resources:
Thurston Strong PPE Resources
City of Olympia Simplified Sidewalks
City of Olympia Waste Assessments
The City of Olympia wants to make operating your business during the COVID19 Pandemic as user-friendly as possible. In an effort to do so, they have updated their internal procedures for sidewalk vending and worked with their partners at the LCB to remove barriers.
*LCB approval is restricted to businesses that hold a “Restaurant Liquor License”
The City is here to help enhance outdoor street vending opportunities with:
email: mrentfro@ci.olympia.wa.us or text: 360-480-0362