Freedom Award Nominations URL

Opportunity with Government Contracting

Businesses looking to win government contracts will have the opportunity at the Greater Pierce County Purchasing Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the STAR Center, 3873 S 66th St in Tacoma. Click here for map and directions.

Learn first-hand how to register and compete for contracts with federal, state, and local government agencies, meet one-on-one with purchasing agents, network with other Pierce County business owners and managers, and participate in breakout sessions.

• Panelists and exhibitors include 
• Pierce County
• City of Tacoma
• Port of Tacoma
• Washington State Department of Transportation
• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
• Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
• Native PTAC
• NAVSUP Fleet Logics Center-Puget Sound
• U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• Tacoma Public Schools
• Pierce Transit
• Northwest Minority Supplier Development Council
• King County Director Association (KCDA) School Purchasing Consortium
• Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises

Register online or contact Hans Kueck at (253) 798-2335 or email.

June is "Veteran Advantage Month"

The Chamber salutes the Pierce County Council and Executive for the proclamation that June 2014 is "Veteran Advantage Month" in Pierce County.

This action supports the many local organizations, partnerships, and activities that work tirelessly to accentuate the extraordinary asset and resource that our Veterans and separating service members represent to our communities, businesses, and economy.

From the proclamation: “The Pierce county business community must seek all advantages to increase its competitiveness in the current environment of global competition....... Veterans represent a workforce advantage for Pierce County businesses as Veterans have an abundance of marketable skills that are transferable from the military to all sectors of the economy, are highly productive and motivated men and women who have a strong work ethic and strong character, know the value of hard work, and can fill critical civilian jobs ...”

“...It is in the best interests of the citizens of Pierce County and the Pierce County business community to support the successful transition of Veterans and their families from military to a fulfilling and rewarding post-military career...The Council and Executive hereby proclaim the month of June 2014, to be ‘Veteran Advantage Month’ in Pierce County, Washington and encourage all businesses in Pierce County to hire Veterans as a way to increase economic growth and prosperity, to support our Nation's security, and to honor the many sacrifices made by our Veterans and their Families".

Our country is founded on the promise of opportunity, community, and rewarding work which supports healthy families and thriving neighborhoods. The Pierce County Council and Executive have led the way to honoring and utilizing the training and talents of these women and men who, by their service and actions, are a credit to our way of life. The Chamber applauds their leadership and joins them in this on-going work.

Guest Author: Greg Mowat, Specialist, Veteran & Business Service

Veteran & Spouse Networking Event

Veteran Networking Event June 19^th 2014. Opportunity to meet area businesses and discuss career opportunities. This event is for the Veteran and their spouse.

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Brandman University & Goodwill Veteran Services Career and Resource Day

Career and Resource Day Thursday June 5th 2014 10am - 3pm.
Opportunity to meet local employers and discuss career opportunities.

Pre-register to reserve your spot for resume writing and mock interviews.
Bulan Sheel (253)573.6789 / 

Pre register here

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Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities for Boots2Work

Here are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities for the Boots2Work Military Career Fair set for August 27 at Cheney Stadium, Tacoma.

For more information, call Linda Helenberg or 253.254.7651.

To register as an employer, link here.

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Job & Resource Fair in King County

Job & Resource Fair for Veterans, National Guard, Reserve and Family Members:

For more info, contact Rich Garmong or 206-205-3218.

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Recruit Military Veteran Career Fair - Seattle

Where:   Safeco Field
               1250 1st Avenue South
               Seattle, WA 98134
When:    Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Why:      To change the lives of veterans and their families by connecting them with companies that value their talent and experience.

Please notify the veterans you serve and work with about this event and encourage them to pre-register for FREE here.

The Seattle area events provide many great career options for veterans and their spouses. The 44 companies already attending have hundreds of positions they are recruiting for, and many more companies will be added in the weeks ahead.

Some of the companies are below, and a full listing can be found through the link above.

•    Amtrak
•    USAA
•    Amazon
•    Texas Instruments
•    Military Sealift Command
•    BNSF Railway
•    City of Seattle
•    Lockheed Martin
•    Point Eight Power and more

You may print and post this flyer for anyone who might be interested in attending this event.

New Veterans Employment Tool Launched

Military members, veterans, and their spouses now have an easier way to find employment, announced First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden on Wednesday at Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Veterans Employment Center is "the first online one-stop shopping tool for veterans," according to an April 23 release. "Starting today, every single service member, every veteran, and every military family will have access to a new online tool that will revolutionize how you find jobs in both the public and private sectors," said Mrs. Obama.

The website allows businesses to search and find résumés of veterans, service members, and spouses all in one location, states the release. Those who upload their résumés to the site just need an active LinkedIn or Google profile account.

Joining Forces is a White House initiative intended to ensure that "no veteran has to fight for a job at home" after they return from service, according to the White House website.

New Regulations Likely Cause On-Base Closures

The McDonald’s at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, will close March 31, reports the Army Times.

Six restaurants located on military installations, including three McDonald’s outlets and two name-brand eateries, have closed recently or are planning to shortly, with new minimum wage requirements for workers on federal contracts believed to have played a role in the decisions.  Washington State already has the highest minimum wage in the U.S. at $9.32/hr.

Last week McDonald’s restaurants closed at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C., and at Naval Support Activity, Bethesda, Md.  An I Love Country, has notified Navy Exchange Service Command that it will close next week at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Two other contractors, a sandwich eatery and a pizza parlor, have asked to terminate their Army and Air Force Exchange Service contracts to operate at two other installations.

These decisions most likely are related to Labor Department rules governing fast food workers on federal contracts, along with a recently signed executive order increasing the minimum wage for employees working on new federal contracts beginning Jan. 1, a source told the publication. Pres. Obama’s executive order established $10.10/hr. as the federal minimum wage for contractors.  The rules also require payment of new, additional “health and welfare” fringe benefits at a rate of $3.81 per hour to those employees.

The Labor Department rules, issued last fall, require federal contractors operating under the Service Contract Act to pay fast food workers a higher minimum wage, as well as additional health and other benefits. It is not yet clear what the impact of President Obama’s executive order will be for contracts on military installations.

Career Day for Military Job Seekers

Info on the Career Day at CenturyLink Field by Hire America's Heroes.

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ESGR's Employer Appreciation Event

RSVP: Kathleen Wilcox or 253-512-8253 

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