HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2026-02-02 Item 4A - Presentation - Highline College Economic Development ProgramsAMER I C
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Highiire College
Economic Development Programs
SBDC and StartZone
Who is the SBDC
• Established in 1980 through the Small Business Development Act
•We partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration
• Funded partly through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small
Business Administration
• Matching funds from local cities, economic development agencies and
colleges
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CHIGHLINE COLLEGE
POWERED BY
SBA
U.S. Small Business
Administration
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Highilne College Economic
Development Programs
Highline's Brand
National Brand
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Meet the Team
Phon Sivongxay
StartZone
Program Manager
Certified Business
Advisor
Andrew Powers
Certified
Business Advisor
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CHIGHLINE COLLEGE
Veronica Ochoa
Associate Business
Advisor - Spanish
Rich Shockley
Director Economic
Development
Certified Business
Advisor
AME: ICA S
SBDC
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Advising Model
GOALS REALITY
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No -Cost, Confidential Advising
We provide group training and no -cost, confidential, one-on-one, advising to help
businesses make informed business decisions.
• Planning or growing your business (Startup to Established)
• Analyzing financial statements
• Prepare financial statements and Assumptions for lenders
• Acquiring capital and managing cash flow
• Buying or selling businesses
• Exporting to markets around the world
• Marketing and market research
• Business systems and record keeping
• Getting and keeping customers
• Cost-cutting strategies
• Finding and keeping qualified employees
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Training Provided
Group training geared towards pre -ventures and early -stage startups, followed by
personalized one-on-one technical assistance to help participants move from
concept to action. Launch Pad is no cost to our businesses but is offered in
partnership with Continuing Educations and eligible for 1 credit.
Training and Services:
• Launch Pad, 4-part series in English and Spanish
• Business Online Marketing series, Al Component
• Understanding Credit
• Business Plan Development
• Financial Forecast
• Loan Packaging
ICHIGHLINE COLLEGE
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Results 2025 Year End
237 36 286 $162,226
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AM ER ICA S
DC
WAS NGTON
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Business Clients by the
Numbers 2025 Year End
Business ownership (%)
Women owned 40.2
Male owned 29.7
Male/Female owned 13.8
WMBE Certified 5.3
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Demographic (%)
Black 38
Asian 18.3
White 17.9
Multiracial 14.2
No Response 6
An Inittative of Highline College
Company Status
Pre -venture 18
In business > 1 year 17
Startup < 1 year 1
AMERIC
SEIDC
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Tukwila Specific Services
The numbers below illustrate the percentage of our client meeting spent working
on these business categories.
Business Management 45% Cash Flow Management 2%
Startup 21% Buy/Sell 2%
Business Plan Development 21% Accounting 1%
Marketing 11% Human Resources 1%
Financing/Capital 8%
*Business Management is a broad area covering many general management topics
** Percentages may exceed 100% ( multiple business topics covered in advising session)
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Community Partners
The following illustrates some of the organizations we work with and some referral
partners.
Tukwila Organizations
Somali Independent Business Alliance
Tabor 100
Business Impact NW
Community Center
Tukwila Farmers Market
'IC
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Other Referral Organization
African Community Housing
New Roots
Mother Africa
Seattle Southside Chamber
Federal Way Black Collective
Growing Contigo
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aronr
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Community Lenders
These are community lenders we partner with that specialize in supporting small
businesses underserved by traditional financial institutions.
• Business Impact Northwest
• International Rescue Committee
• Evergreen Business Capital Community Finance
• Craft 3
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What Are Businesses Saying
"SBDC advising has provided significant value to my business by offering practical, guidance
tailored to specific goals and challenges. The advisors helped me refine my business strategy,
better understand my financials, and make more informed decisions with confidence. Their
insights, resources, and accountability have saved me time, reduced costly mistakes, and
positioned my business for sustainable growth. Overall, the support has been strengthening
both my operations and long-term planning." (Real Estate Management)
"It was better than I expected. Mr. Powers knowledge, passion, and dedication were
impressive to say the least. He gave me ideas and provided insight that was, is very valuable.
He deserves to be commended. "(Pre -venture)
"The SBDC have brought me great satisfaction through their expertise SOP's, business
planning, and technology used to help create stronger systems for my business. They also
allowed me to highlight weak spots that could hurt my business down the road."
(Facility Services)
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Highline College
SBDC & StartZone
sbdc@highline.edu / startzone@highline.edu
206-592-41 / 206-592-3388
sbdc.highline.edu / startzone.highline.edu
An Initiative of Highline Col
ege
iER9 C S
SBDC
SHE
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