Imagine it’s the year 2060.  Growth has exploded.  Industry is thriving.  The region is booming and development is everywhere.  But will there be water to sustain this growth?  What will happen when you turn on the tap in your home?

As a result of wise planning and infrastructure investments by the major water suppliers in the central Puget Sound region, the answer, based on what is known today, is yes.

The Water Supply Forum, comprised of water suppliers in King and Pierce and Snohomish counties, announced today that the central Puget Sound region is expected to have sufficient quantities of high quality, great tasting water for the next 50 years.  The region will have plenty of water to protect the environment and fish habitat, and to provide an economic advantage over other areas in the country as growth resumes.

Water suppliers Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma Water, the City of Everett and Cascade Water Alliance, and other smaller providers, all members of the regional Forum, came together today to present the 2012 Regional Water Supply Update during National Drinking Water Week.

The member suppliers analyze potential future needs and supplies, and plan accordingly. A key part of their mandate to manage existing water systems includes making wise infrastructure investments for the future. Together, Forum members reviewed demand, used new ways of looking at supply, and as a result, produced a coordinated outlook for the future.

“Our demand has changed in this region and our supply is plentiful.  This is a result of several things:  system efficiency, smart infrastructure investments and stewardship of water by utilities, as well as regional collaboration,” said Chuck Clarke, chair of the Forum and Cascade Water Alliance CEO. “And our residents throughout the region have made a difference by using water wisely.”

“We will be able to provide high quality drinking water for at least the next 50 years,” added Ray Hoffman, director of Seattle Public Utilities.

“Providing sufficient water in an environmentally sensitive manner enhances the quality of life and livability across jurisdictional lines and provides economic advantage for future growth and development,” said Linda McCrea, Tacoma Water Superintendent.

Since the mid-1990s, dramatic changes in water use have resulted in decreased average water use per household.  This is the result of increased water use efficiency, savings from conservation, changes in landscaping, more efficient household appliances, enhanced building and plumbing codes and improved irrigation.

“Our update also reflects the significant improvements and enhancements providers are making to their long established water systems to ensure service reliability,” added Jim Miller, Engineering Superintendent of the City of Everett’s water supply system.

Seattle is able to refill Chester Morse Lake to higher levels providing more water for later in the year.  Tacoma is breaking ground next week on the Green River Filtration Facility, which will enhance the area’s water supply reliability. Everett has been replacing its oldest major pipeline segments to increase the reliability of its regional water supply system, and has recently worked with the Snohomish PUD to relicense the Jackson Hydroelectric Project, which includes its water supply reservoir.  And Cascade Water Alliance purchased Lake Tapps in Pierce County for long term water and was granted one of the most significant new municipal water rights issued by the state in a decade.

“The Forum continues to be a venue for regional discussion about municipal water supply, and it gives water suppliers a way of identifying, analyzing and discussing regional and national trends as well as external threats,” said Clark.

For the complete 2012 Regional Water Supply Update visit: http://www.watersupplyforum.org/2012_update/index.html.

For more information on the Forum visit www.watersupplyforum.org.

About the Water Supply Forum: The Water Supply Forum is a cooperative effort of representatives of public water systems and local governments in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington State. The Forum addresses current and future water supply issues, including supply planning, environmental stewardship, and other water supply related issues currently facing the region.

The event will give small businesses from across the country gathered for National Small Business Week an opportunity to have face-to-face meetings with prime contractors and federal agencies to learn about specific contracting and subcontracting opportunities.   This is part of SBA’s Procurement Day which will also feature federal contracting panels on gaining access to federal prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities.

The business matchmaking sessions are open to small businesses that register for National Small Business Week.  Small businesses must have a DUNS number, which can be obtained by going to the DUNS official Web site at (www.dnb.com/us), and must be registered in Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov), the federal government’s official database of small businesses wishing to secure federal contracts.

The face-to-face matchmaking meetings will be 15 minutes, matching approximately 150 businesses and 20 buyers based on their compatibility and the buying needs of the federal agencies and corporations.  Small business owners interested in participating must first register for National Small Business Week at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Once registered, they will receive a code to allow them to complete their business matchmaking registration at:  https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com.  Registration for the event will close on May 18, 2012.   One session will be held on May 22 from 10:00am-12:30pm and the second session will be held from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

During the forums, small businesses will learn how to market themselves to the federal government and go after government contracting opportunities.  Once small business owners register for the workshops, they will have the option of attending any of three sessions:

• Government Contracting 101: Small Business Contracting Programs

(10:00-11:15am)

• Insights into Federal Contracting Opportunities with Federal Agency Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs) (10:00am-11:15am and 11:30am-12:45pm)
• Improving your Business through Subcontracting Opportunities (11:30am-12:45pm)

For more information about the Matchmaking event, visit: https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com and National Small Business Week http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Small Business Week 2012 sponsors and cosponsors include: AARP, Association of Small Business Development Companies, AT&T, Dun & Bradstreet, InterContinental Hotels Group, International Franchise Association, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Development Companies, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders,  National Association for the Self-Employed, National Small Business Association, Neustar, Northrop Grumman, Office Depot, Paychex, Inc., Prudential, Raytheon, Sage Software, Inc., Salesgenie, SCORE, Small Business Investor Alliance, T-Mobile, VISA, Wall Street Journal and Women Impacting Public Policy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2012.

Thursday, April 26, 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will recognize Godwin as the 2012 Washington state Financial Services Champion of the Year for her company’s positive impact on scores of small business owners and impressive results from years of contributions and advocacy efforts.

Godwin is known as the “velvet brick” for her direct yet sensitive approach when mentoring entrepreneurs. She volunteers as an accounting consultant for the NW and South Sound Women’s Business Centers, contributes to Femme Finance radio program on 1150 KKNW, in Bellevue, and gives back to the community by teaching business and financial workshops.

“Godwin does more than guide and direct,” said Seattle SBA District Director Nancy Porzio.  “Through her efforts to remove the mystery behind financial concepts, she helps companies resolve their issues and become more bankable.”

“Our financial services champion is a genuine and candid advocate who helps company owners better manage their bottom lines and positions them to more readily obtain financing,” said Assistant Associate Administrator Calvin Goings.

“We proudly recognize Audrey L. Godwin as the SBA’s 2012 Financial Services Champion of the Year,” said SBA Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio.
About the SBA Awards

An independent panel of judges selected the winner based on several criteria, including assistance given small businesses to obtain financing, advocacy for changes in the financial services industry, encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small businesses. Information on SBA’s National Small Business Week 2012 celebrations in Washington, D.C. can be found at www.sba.gov

Publisher’s Note:  Congratulations Audrey!  You should be a member of the Eastside Business Directory!

HearthLight Project Presents “Home is Where the Bills Are” preview. This video will introduce you to the need for energy efficiency among low-income families. We can deliver it — with your help. Donate online at www.indiegogo.com/HearthLight.

“During off hours Shen focuses extra time and energy on initiatives benefiting the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community,” said Seattle SBA District Director Nancy Porzio. “His volunteer work with the Seattle Chinatown International Preservation Development Authority aspires to build multi-cultural business prosperity.”

He was appointed by Governor Gregoire to serve as a Commissioner elevating attention to Asian Pacific American business community issues and co-chair the Economic Development committee.  He hosted a White House Business Council Roundtable between minority-owned businesses and Obama Administration officials to discuss challenges faced during the recession.

Shen is also a Trustee for the Seattle Community Colleges and recently met with White House and Congressional leaders in Washington DC to advocate on how education and economic equity are equally vital to America’s role in the 21^st century economy.

“Albert Shen was instrumental in forming the Minority Business Action Committee (MBAC), to enhance the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) voice in politics and to foster collaboration and advocacy practices between MBEs and elected officials to find solutions to issues in the state of Washington,” said Assistant Associate Administrator Calvin Goings.

“For impressive results from his contributions and advocacy efforts, we are proud to name Albert Shen as SBA’s 2012 Washington State Minority Services Champion,” said Seattle SBA District Director Nancy Porzio.

“In December 2011, Governor Gregoire adopted the Board’s recommended loan list of infrastructure projects in her capital budget proposal,” said Stan Finkelstein, Chair of the Public Works Board. “Over the past four months, we have worked very closely with the Governor and the state Legislature to finalize the list of construction-ready projects that was included in the 2012 Supplemental Capital Budget signed today.”

Chair Finkelstein said the 58 projects on the list will benefit 46 communities, create more than 1600 jobs, and improve drinking water, sanitary sewers, storm water, and solid waste systems. Local governments will use the funding to upgrade these systems, improve public health and safety, respond to environmental issues, and promote economic development.

“Local infrastructure investments, such as these by the Public Works Board, protect the safety of our citizens, create needed jobs, and lay the foundation for our future prosperity,” said Camas City Administrator Lloyd Halverson. The low interest loans from the state Public works Trust Fund will help the city pay for a new drinking water reservoir and a sewer transmission main.

The complete list of projects is detailed at:

http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2012/hcLEAPDoc2012-1BPWAA0224.pdf

Established in 1985, the Public Works Board administers the Public Works Trust Fund, a revolving loan fund that offers low-interest loans to help local governments and special purpose districts finance critical public works projects. The Public Works Board receives administrative support from the Washington State Department of Commerce. For more information about the Department of Commerce, visit www.commerce.wa.gov. For more information on the Public Works Board, visit www.pwb.wa.gov.

In celebration of National Small Business Week 2012, SBA is looking for creative videos from small businesses that show how they have been helped by an SBA program or service.  The contest will raise awareness of the importance of SBA programs, and the impact the small businesses that use them have in their local communities.

Three winning videos will also be shown during a Google+ Hangout hosted by the SBA and the White House with SBA Administrator Karen Mills on May 24. The winners can also participate in the event with Administrator Mills, while she answers questions from small businesses around the country.  All qualifying videos will be showcased on SBA’s YouTube page.

Contestants can enter the contest by producing an original video, two minutes or less, that shares their story.  The list of Contest Rules provides additional details on required video content.  All eligible videos will be judged by SBA senior officials on the inspirational nature of the message and the creativity or uniqueness of the video concept.

Videos will feature small business owners from across the country discussing the SBA assistance the company received, the most rewarding aspects of starting a business and how the SBA assistance benefited the business and the local community.  Small businesses may have received SBA business counseling, SBA-guaranteed financing or SBA disaster assistance or participated in a SBA contracting program or in SBA’s online community.

The videos can be submitted through Challenge.gov from 12pm EDT April 16 through 5pm May 11.  The contest offers the opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurship and hear directly from small business owners how SBA has helped them grow and create jobs.

For more information on the Small Business Week Video Contest, visit http://smallbizvid.challenge.gov

SBA Says: Tell Us Your Story!

Video contest will showcase successful small businesses; Winning videos to be highlighting during National Small Business Week

“It wasn’t easy – and nobody got everything they wanted – but lawmakers proved it is possible to come together and find a way to protect what’s most important, including education and jobs, while also adopting long-overdue reform measures that will hopefully end the cycle of never-ending budget deficits,” said AWB President Don Brunell.

Positive elements of the budget deal include:

• Passage of Senate Bill 6636, requiring a four-year budget outlook and adoption of a four-year balanced budget. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, is aimed at putting an end to the practice of lawmakers making overly optimistic projections about future revenue, and then failing to deal with shortfalls by pushing them ahead to the next budget cycle.
• Passage of Senate Bill 6378. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, makes important reforms to the state pension system and is estimated to save $1.3 billion over 25 years.
• Passage of Substitute Senate Bill 5940, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens. The bill, which stemmed from a report from the State Auditor, aims for parity between teachers and other state employees regarding health benefits, while achieving savings for the state.
• Passage of House Bill 2824, sponsored by Rep. Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland. The legislation formally removes the requirements of Initiative 728, the class-size reduction measure approved by voters but never funded. Although lawmakers never implemented the measure, its cost remained on the books, perpetually adding to future deficits.
• Extension of a tax incentive for fruit, vegetable, dairy and seafood businesses. The incentive, which was set to expire July 1, was extended through 2015.
• Extension of a tax incentive for data center equipment through 2015.
• Passage of a $3 billion capital budget that will create an estimated 43,000 jobs for K-12 construction and other projects.

Unfortunately, lawmakers also repealed a tax deduction on first mortgage interest for interstate banks. AWB opposed the move, not only because tax incentives generally help offset Washington’s high tax rate and make the state more competitive, but also because it pitted one industry group against another.

“This budget agreement is a compromise solution, and it’s unfortunate it took so long to reach,” Brunell added. “But it contains some important signs of progress, and we hope it puts the state on the road toward long-term fiscal stability, which is what’s required to create an environment in which jobs and the economy can flourish.”

About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,800 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

The Agency does not accept routine passport applications, which are currently processed in about four weeks.  For routine service, customers can visit a local passport acceptance facility, such as a post office or clerk of court.  A searchable list of facilities is available here: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

U.S. citizens can schedule appointments by calling 1-877-487-2778 TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793.

When applying for your passport, make sure you are prepared with the required documents.  Visit travel.state.gov for more information and to download your passport application online.

Seattle Passport Agency

Fifth and Yesler Building

300 5th Avenue, Suite 600

All across the country, there are young men and women dreaming of opening their own business. Some are looking to start the next social media phenomenon, while others are focused on a business idea that fills an important niche on their campuses and in their communities.

At the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), we know that young entrepreneurs are a valuable source of American innovation which is why we launched our Young Entrepreneur Series (YES). The SBA has the tools and resources to help these entrepreneurs succeed.  

SBA appreciates that young entrepreneurs have different sorts of needs – they’re not just online and mobile; they’re starting all kinds of businesses while working out of cafes or even dorm rooms. We’ve launched a new set of online tools, with links to resources and online courses, geared specifically toward young entrepreneurs at http://www.sba.gov/content/young-entrepreneurs.

And the SBA online community puts articles and advice from tens of thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs online and available for perusing on our website. Join the community at www.sba.gov/community.

SBA has many other tools available for young entrepreneurs and small businesses alike. We like to call these our “three C’s” and include capital, contracting, and counseling.

We provide a government guarantee on SBA loans that are given by lenders to increase access to capital.  One great example is SBA’s microloan program. It provides low-cost, low-dollar loans to entrepreneurs and small business owners who require a small infusion of capital to start or expand their business.

Opportunities available for small businesses in federal contracting include special efforts for women, veterans and disadvantaged businesses.

And we offer counseling and training to over a million aspiring entrepreneurs each year through our resource partner network including: SCORE, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), Women Business Centers, and Veterans Business Centers.

As young entrepreneurs build their small businesses, SBA resource partners are there for them to provide mentoring, coaching and advice for every stage of their business, from starting up and writing a business plan, to accessing capital and expanding.

SBA is dedicated to educating young entrepreneurs, connecting them to each other and other successful business owners and providing better access to tools, resources and information for starting, growing and managing a business.

But no matter where you are, how old you are, or what your business is, SBA has resources to help you grow your business. You can get in touch with your local SBA district office in Seattle, branch office in Spokane or resource partner at www.sba.gov/direct.