PIERCE COUNTY – The Pierce County Business Accelerator program has won a VISION 2050 Award from the Puget Sound Regional Council. The awards recognize innovative projects and programs that help ensure a sustainable future as the region grows.
The program is centered around building generational wealth and business resiliency through business ownership, providing business training for business owners with an emphasis on BIPOC, veteran and women entrepreneurs.
“The Pierce County Business Accelerator program comes with an incredible slate of supports. Participants receive six weeks of traditional business training by instructors, trainers, and coaches that reflect black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) constituents and speak several different languages in addition to financial support,” said Josh Brown, Executive Director of PSRC. “This is all accomplished in partnership with BIPOC organizations in our county and is serving 200 BIPOC, veteran and women owned businesses.”
The award will be presented at the Pierce County Council Meeting on August 22, 2023.
This work was a result of a partnership between the Pierce County Economic Development Department, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, Mi Centro, the Korean Women's Association and the City of Lakewood.
VISION 2050 is the region’s plan for growth. By 2050, the region's population will reach 5.8 million people. The region’s cities, counties, Tribes, ports, agencies, businesses, and communities have worked together to develop VISION 2050 to prepare for this growth and serve as a guide for sustaining a healthy environment, thriving communities and a strong economy.