Minority- and women-owned businesses in Tacoma can get free help applying for state certification at a workshop on Monday, Sept. 28, at the Tacoma Municipal Building.

The City of Tacoma's Equity in Contracting Program, known as EIC, is partnering with the Washington State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) to host the session. It runs from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room 243 at 747 Market St., according to a city announcement.

The workshop is free. A virtual option is available, but the city strongly encourages attending in person.

Participants will have a chance to start or complete their OMWBE certification application on-site. The city asks attendees to bring a laptop or electronic device, financial statements and any paperwork the certification process requires.

The Sept. 28 session is the second in a two-part series. The first, a virtual Certification 101 overview, was held Sept. 9.

OMWBE certification qualifies businesses to compete for contracts with state agencies, local governments, school districts and public universities across Washington.

Certified businesses also become eligible for the state's Linked Deposit Program, which can cut small-business loan interest rates by up to 2%, according to OMWBE.

To qualify, a business's primary owners must hold at least 51% ownership, control the company, be both socially and economically disadvantaged, and have a personal net worth under $2.047 million. The business cannot have gross receipts above $32.82 million. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is not required.

The EIC Program's stated goal is to address contracting disparities for businesses owned by minority, women and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The city ran a similar two-part workshop series in May 2026.

Linda Cerna, a city staff member with the program, can answer questions at [email protected] or (253) 453-9488. Event details are listed at makeittacoma.com/events.