Bellevue Launches New Resources to Support Small Businesses | News

The city of Bellevue has launched new services and partnerships designed to better support small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and other local businesses, it announced in a news post last week.

The enhanced services will bolster the city’s current resources and provide small businesses with access to free, personalized business-development and growth support coordinated through the city’s economic development team and Development Services Department, in partnership with the Washington Small Business Development Center in Bellevue, the city said.

“Starting and growing a business can be difficult to navigate, but we know small businesses are vital to Bellevue’s economy, making up 97% of all business in the city,” Mayor Lynne Robinson said in the post. “Our goal is to make it easier for small business to thrive by integrating city resources and efficiently connecting business owners to support from additional partners.”

Starting in January, Small Business Consulting Services in the Development Services Department will begin offering support for small businesses to “Start Smart in Bellevue,” with free, individual consulting and assistance to help businesses navigate the city’s development permitting process. From final site selection and due diligence to grand opening, the concierge service is designed to provide clarity and confidence in the permitting process, reduce risk by helping businesses avoid costly missteps, and improve overall experience for entrepreneurs and city staff.

The city’s cultural and economic development team currently offers one-on-one support to businesses of all sizes as they navigate city processes and available resources. The team is able to directly support small businesses through organized walks, in-person visits, and frequent updates on relevant programs.

Bellevue’s creative economy division offers competitive grants for artists and cultural organizations, tailoring their guidance to individual cases.

Businesses interested in Bellevue as a future location can get help identifying potential site options that meet their needs.

Bellevue expanded its partnership with the Washington SBDC this year to provide a dedicated role offering no-cost advising to entrepreneurs and small-business owners in numerous areas, including business planning and strategy, market research and financial analysis, and funding readiness and operational support. A Bellevue office is hosted by Washington State University and partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the city as local funding and program partners.

Separately, the SBA last month reported that in King County, SBA 7(a) and 504 loans totaled 771 in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, up from 657 the prior fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024. Loan volume in King County was $403.5 million in FY25, up from $380.9 million in FY24, SBA said.

People thinking of starting or expanding a business in Bellevue are encouraged to contact the city’s cultural and economic development team at [email protected].