Here is a handy list of web sites for small businesses in this region, you might have to wade through thousands of possibilities to find. This is a good way to find demographic information, data, or contacts. Apartment occupancy rates for the southern Puget Sound area? The unemployment rate for Pierce County? Who to contact if you want to sell to Joint Base Lewis/McChord? Median income for the census tract in which your business sits? Look here.
These are web sites of useful information on business and the economy in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Washington State Department of Commerce
http:www.commerce.wa.gov
The agency promotes business in Washington State. It includes information on grants, foreclosure assistance, and other programs.
Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
http://www.tacomachamber.org
Part of the chamber's mission is to promote business in Tacoma. The chamber produces a publication called Pierce County Economic Index, available online here.
Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council
http://www.erfc.gov
What will the state economy be like next year? What about revenue to fund state government? This site is also an online source for the agency's publications.
Washington Center for Real Estate Research
http://www.wcrer.be.washington.edu
The Washington Center for Real Estate Research generates the statistics on the housing market one sees in the newspapers.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov
Inflation and consumer prices, employment and unemployment and other essential economic data.
US Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov
Go here for an abundance of demographic data, essential for any business. It is all free!
Tacoma Means Business
http://tacomameansbusiness.com/business-assistance/classes.training
This is the web site for the Tacoma Means Business program at Bates College. The program is the de-facto headquarters in Tacoma for Small Business Administration programs like SCORE.
Tacoma Department of Community and Economic Development
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/governmentcity-departments/communityandeconomic/
This department is responsible for business and economic development in Tacoma, particularly fostering small business.
Federal Researve Economic Data
http://www.rResearch.stlouisfed.org
The Federal Reserve generates an abundance of statistical data on the economy. Go here for economic data.
Mission and Installation Contracting Command
http://www.micc.army.mil
Check out this web site if you are hoping for a contract to supply Joint Base Lewis/McChord.
European Central Bank
http://www.ecb.eu
This is an excellent source for economic data on the European Union.