Lewis County EDC resources for business owners includes:
- Increasing Manufacturing Competitiveness
Providing services to ensure Washington businesses are highly competitive in the global marketplace. Lewis Economic Development Council is a certified representative of Impact Washington. Lewis EDC will assist companies in acquiring techniques to increase manufacturing productivity and sales to position your company for growth revenue and profit. Manufacturers have become more competitive through customized services including lean manufacturing, quality assurance, assessment, benchmarking, information technology, and other critical areas of your business. LINK: Impact Washington website
- Workforce Development
The EDC has teamed up with WorkSource to bring to local businesses screened and job-ready candidates. In addition, we are a business community liaison for employee training and support resources for those with specific needs. The Lewis EDC collaborates with the Workforce Development Council to offer business workforce development services to ensure quality, available and trained employees. The Workforce Development Center provides recruitment and training customized to your industry needs. LINK: WorkSource Lewis County website
- Financing – The Lending Network
The Lending Network is a community based corporation established to lend money to qualifying businesses and to help diversify employment in order to create and/or retain family wage jobs in Lewis, Cowlitz, and South Thurston counties. Loans are made to those who do not otherwise have the ability to fully finance their project, or that need more flexible terms to make their project financially feasible.
- Incentives
Tax incentives include no corporate sales tax, no personal income tax, no inventory tax, no unitary tax, no local B&O tax. Other incentives include the Distressed Area Business and Occupation Tax Credit. This is a $2,000-$4,000 credit against the B&O tax for qualifying manufacturers. There is also a Sales and Use Tax Exemption on machinery and equipment. Lewis County also offers a .09 Grant Fund that provides funding for qualifying public infrastructure improvements. More Incentives
- Permit and Process Facilitation
Lewis EDC will help your business expedite the permitting process required for business relocation or expansion through close working relationships with local and state agencies. We will make sure you are talking to the right people at the right time, saving you time and money.
- Site Selection
If your business is looking for a new location in Lewis County we can provide information on opportunities available in Lewis County, helping you find the right site to meet your specific requirements.
- Business Assistance Center
The Small Business Development Center is a place for companies to receive management assistance from business professionals. Lewis EDC – home to the Small Business Development Center which provides counseling to small business and start-up companies. Our business development specialist provides no-fee confidential, one-on-one counseling on all management topics. Our counselors have certified broad-based skills and significant experience as business owners or managers. They help improve profitability and growth with assistance in buying, selling or starting a business, preparing a business plan, choosing and incorporating new technology, analyzing financials, and improving marketing. LINK: Small Business Development Center website
- Customized Business and Industry Training
The EDC has a partnership with Centralia College to provide customized training to companies. This program assists companies to assess organizational training needs and then propose specific programs to meet your goals for improving quality, customer service, and workplace skills. This service is convenient, cost saving, and committed to quality. LINK: Customized Training Program brochure (PDF)
- WorkSource Lewis County
Lewis EDC supports WorkSource Lewis County. WorkSource provides several services to companies. These services include:
- Distribution and collection of applications.
- Free internet job listing on the WorkSource Lewis County website.
- Free interview space to interview job applicants.
- On-The-Job Training wage reimbursement is available.
- Tax credits are available to businesses who hire individuals from one of eight targeted
groups.We invite you to see how WorkSource and our Workforce Development team can assist with your hiring needs and in reducing costs. LINK: WorkSource Lewis County website