The Pierce County Business Accelerator Program is the recipient of the 2022 Innovation in Economic Development Award. The award, presented by the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA), recognizes pioneering, groundbreaking and/or novel work that has significant economic impact on a community.

Pierce County Economic Development launched the Business Accelerator in August 2020 in response to the pandemic’s impact on underserved communities. The program is designed to help BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), veteran and women-owned businesses grow and prosper. Cohorts receive access to resources to launch and grow a micro businesses in Pierce County.

The program is made possible by funding by the American Rescue Act Plan and partnerships with Tacoma Urban League, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, The Black Collective and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

The award was presented March 2 during WEDA’s 2022 Winter Conference. Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier and Pierce County Economic Development Director Betty Capestany accepted the honor.