Serving Tacoma
Free support for women building businesses in Tacoma
Tacoma’s 15 neighborhood business districts, a working port and a strong creative scene make it one of the South Sound’s best places to build a business. As a women’s business center for Tacoma, WCWB gives women free one-on-one advising by phone or video, practical classes and a statewide community of women business owners.
Pierce County
231,000
Free, by phone or video
Lacey, Washington
The South Sound’s biggest economy
Tacoma is Pierce County’s largest city and the center of its economy. The Port of Tacoma, together with The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s South Harbor cargo operations, supported more than 41,000 jobs and $3.4 billion in wages and benefits in 2023. The City also names health care (MultiCare, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Kaiser Permanente), aerospace manufacturing, banking and insurance, construction and a strong arts and culture sector as key industries, along with small local businesses.
Maritime, port and logistics
Port of Tacoma operations, including NWSA South Harbor container cargo, supported 41,095 jobs (14,400 direct), $3.4 billion in total compensation and nearly $10.8 billion in business output in 2023.
Health care
Major providers include MultiCare Health System, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and Kaiser Permanente, with Madigan Army Medical Center nearby; UW Tacoma offers degrees in nursing, healthcare leadership and biomedical science.
Aerospace and advanced manufacturing
The City counts about 80 aerospace firms in Tacoma-Pierce County, including Boeing, Toray Composites, AIM Aerospace, General Plastics and Cadence Aerospace.
Small-scale and maker manufacturing
The Chamber’s South Sound Manufacturing Industrial Council is building the Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator with Clover Park Technical College and Horizon Partners Northwest in the historic 1908 Willamette Building, converting the 225,000 sq ft warehouse into manufacturing studios for new businesses (reported July 2025).
Arts, culture and the creative economy
Cultural institutions include the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum and LeMay – America’s Car Museum, and Tacoma Creates (passed in 2018) was Washington’s first cultural access program.
Your women’s business center for Tacoma
Tacoma has a deep bench of local resources. WCWB adds free, ongoing one-on-one advising for women owners, wherever you are in your business.
Free one-on-one advising
Shape your plan, check your numbers or get ready for a City loan conversation with an advisor, by phone or video.
Get ready for public contracts
Tacoma’s Equity in Contracting program uses the state’s women’s business (WBE) certification. Advisors can help you understand certification and how government contracting works.
Write your business plan
BEST is five self-paced online courses that take you from choosing a business structure to a finished business plan.
Meet other women owners
INSPIRE, our women’s business conference each May, brings owners from across the region together for keynotes, sessions and networking.
Where business happens
Business districts in Tacoma
- Downtown Tacoma. The Downtown Tacoma Partnership runs a 120-block business improvement area with clean-and-safe services, and downtown takes in the Theater District, Museum District, Pacific Avenue, Antique Row and Whiskey Row.
- Port of Tacoma Tideflats. About 2,500 acres of Port-owned property on the Tideflats, including several major container terminals managed by The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
- 6th Avenue and the neighborhood business districts. Tacoma recognizes 15 neighborhood business districts, among them 6th Avenue (known for its nightlife), Proctor, Stadium District, Old Town, Hilltop, Lincoln, McKinley, Dome District and South Tacoma.
- Lincoln District. The Lincoln International Business Association represents this neighborhood district and runs its annual Lunar New Year Festival, which received City event funding for 2026.
Good to know in Tacoma
- Tacoma issues its own business license through FileLocal, separate from your state business license, which doesn’t replace it.
- Tacoma charges its own B&O tax, but businesses with worldwide gross income of $250,000 or less a year are exempt.
- The City offers business loans, including a Small Business Gap Loan, a Microloan Program and the Grow America Fund. Call (253) 591-5621 for terms.
- Tacoma’s Equity in Contracting program uses the state’s women’s business enterprise (WBE) certification to help women-owned firms compete for City contracts.
Not sure what applies to you? An advisor can walk you through it.
More help in Tacoma
Alongside WCWB, these Tacoma organizations support local businesses. Each link opens their own website.
Make It Tacoma (City of Tacoma Community & Economic Development)
The City’s business resource hub, covering City loan programs, incentives, property search, startup checklists and business events and training.
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
The regional chamber, based in downtown Tacoma, offers networking and advocacy and runs programs including Spaceworks (with the City) and the South Sound Manufacturing Industrial Council.
Downtown Tacoma Partnership
Runs downtown’s 120-block business improvement area, providing clean-and-safe services and promoting downtown businesses and events.
Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB)
The county’s economic development board offers site selection data, links to financing and technical assistance partners, and startup, trade and export resources.
Tacoma Public Library: Business & Entrepreneurship eResources
With a library card you get free business databases, including Gale Business: Entrepreneurship (with sample business plans), Business Insights: Global and Data Axle Reference Solutions.
Spaceworks Tacoma
A City of Tacoma and Chamber initiative offering an incubator cohort for creative entrepreneurs and Business Foundations training for people just starting out.
Questions from Tacoma business owners
Can WCWB help me prepare for a City of Tacoma business loan?
Yes. An advisor can help you get your plan, financial statements and projections ready before you talk with the City’s business financing team about its Small Business Gap Loan, Microloan Program or Grow America Fund.
I’m a creative entrepreneur in Tacoma. Where do I start?
Advising can help you price your work and plan a business around it. Spaceworks Tacoma, from the City and the Chamber, also runs an incubator and Business Foundations training for creative entrepreneurs.
Does WCWB have an office in Tacoma?
No. We meet by phone and video, so we can work with you anywhere in Washington State. Our office is at 4220 6th Ave SE in Lacey.
Who can work with WCWB?
Anyone who is starting a business or growing a small to medium-sized one. We focus on women-identified business owners in Washington State, and our services are open to everyone.
Also serving nearby: University Place · Lakewood · Fife
Grow your Tacoma business with WCWB
Free advising, practical classes and a community of women owners across Washington.