The City of Lacey and the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) Center for Business Innovation are committed to supporting economic opportunity for Thurston County’s Veteran population. The EDC Veterans Microenterprise Program, funded in part by a federal Community Development Block Grant, is designed to help eligible Veterans living in Thurston County successfully plan, open, and operate their own business within the City of Lacey.

Veterans interested in starting their own business will receive Business Enterprise Start-up Training (BEST), and veterans who already own existing small business (5 or fewer employees) will receive ScaleUp Training. Both training opportunities are provided free of charge to qualified Veterans.

Successful graduates of either program can apply for a financial grant, ranging from $500 to $26,000, to open a business within the City of Lacey.