Economic Alliance

What Economic Alliance does

Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization headquartered in Okanogan, Washington, serving Okanogan County in North Central Washington. Originally established as Alliance 2005 and renamed in February 2003, the organization facilitates partnerships among private enterprise, county government, tribal entities, and local municipalities to implement the region's economic development strategy. Its core function is the delivery of free advisory services, planning support, demographic and market research, and small business development programming to local entrepreneurs, SMBs, municipalities, and tribal stakeholders.

The organization's product portfolio centers on four pillars: (1) the Small Business Resource & Technology Center (SBRTC), a free community workspace equipping entrepreneurs with photography gear, video/audio tools, a commercial drone, laptops/workstations, and a conference room; (2) free workshops and training covering financial literacy, digital skills, marketing, and business planning, delivered in-person, via YouTube on-demand, and through partners across the county; (3) coordination of the annual Okanogan County Prioritization Process, which channels public infrastructure and community/economic development project applications to County Commissioners; and (4) economic development advisory services including site selection, broadband advocacy, and emergency grant administration.

The business model is grant- and public-funding-dependent. All services to end users are provided free of charge, eliminating direct price-volume mechanics. Funding flows from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington State University (as SBDC host), state and federal grants, and partner pass-through arrangements. The go-to-market is community-led: direct office services in Okanogan, augmented by co-located SBDC advisors and partner-delivered workshops at WorkSource Omak, TwispWorks, and multiple community centers. Customer segments are primarily Okanogan County SMBs and entrepreneurs, with secondary segments of local governments/tribes and community members seeking digital literacy training. No commercial revenue, IP licensing, or equity structure applies; governance is via a Board of Directors with Roni Holder-Diefenbach serving as Executive Director.

Name

Economic Alliance

Legal name

Economic Alliance

Website

https://economic-alliance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization serving Okanogan County, Washington, providing free small business advising, the Small Business Resource & Technology Center workspace, workshops, and coordination of county public infrastructure project prioritization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business advising
• Community resource center
• Entrepreneurship training
• Regional economic planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Omak

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding & Public Funding Support: The Economic Alliance operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded through grants and public funding to support economic development activities in Okanogan County.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that delivers economic development planning, research, small business advising, and community coordination services in Okanogan County, Washington. It operates the Small Business Resource & Technology Center (SBRTC), which provides free workspace, photography/video equipment, drones, workstations, and conference room access to local entrepreneurs. The organization also runs free small business workshops and training in financial literacy, digital skills, marketing, and business planning, and coordinates the annual Okanogan County Public Infrastructure and Community/Economic Development Prioritization Process for County Commissioners.

Product overview

Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization serving Okanogan County, North Central Washington. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of advisory services and community programs including: the Small Business Resource & Technology Center (SBRTC) — a free workspace providing equipment (photography gear, video/audio tools, drones, workstations) and training; economic development planning and small business advising; and coordination of the annual Okanogan County Prioritization Process for community development projects. The organization also delivers free small business workshops and training sessions covering financial literacy, digital skills, marketing, and business planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Business Resource & Technology Center (SBRTC) A free community resource hub in Okanogan County providing tools, equipment, technology, and training to help entrepreneurs, creators, and small business owners start, grow, and strengthen their businesses.
• Economic Development Advisory Services Planning, research, and small business advising services delivered to promote economic development in Okanogan County through partnerships with private, government, and tribal entities.
• Small Business Workshops and Training Free in-person, hybrid, and on-demand workshops and training sessions delivered in English and Spanish covering financial literacy, digital skills, marketing, content creation, and business planning for Okanogan County entrepreneurs and community members.
• Okanogan County Prioritization Process Annual coordinated application and review process that delivers Okanogan County Commissioners a prioritized master list of community, economic development, and public infrastructure projects for funding consideration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 small businesses received emergency grant funding totaling $37,500 during COVID-19 pandemic
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Downtown Strategies (Retail Strategies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021Partnership for small business support and retention providing unique training, technical assistance, job retention services, and individual coaching sessions directly to small business owners. Includes live training webinars, Spanish-language support, customized assistance, and one-on-one coaching for businesses in need of technical assistance.
• Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSBDC advisors are co-located with The Economic Alliance in Omak. The Economic Alliance provides funding support for SBDC operations. SBDC receives funding from The Economic Alliance, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Washington State University (statewide administrative host).
• TwispWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Okanogan County Small Business Emergency Grant program during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Earth and Sky Studios creating the application website.
• Confluence HealthsupportingTechnology or IntegrationWorkshop partner for Digital Discovery Series helping community members learn to navigate MyChart system and build digital skills.
• NCW Tech AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Digital Discovery Series workshops supporting digital literacy in Okanogan County.
• WSU ExtensionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Digital Discovery Series workshops supporting community digital skills.
• Okanogan County & Colville Confederated Tribes Broadband Action TeamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Digital Discovery Series workshops and broadband expansion efforts in the county.
• Wheatland BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Digital Discovery Series workshops helping community members with online banking skills.
• Retail StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational retail recruitment firm partnering with Okanogan County Economic Alliance and Economic Alliance for Retail Academy and small business support programs.
• Business Impact NWcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides business advisors (Gwen Kohl, Michael Reis) who deliver Financial Literacy and Access to Capital workshops for the Economic Alliance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Main Street America: National rural and small-town economic development program supporting commercial district revitalization. Comparable in small-business and downtown economic development focus but operates a national network with local affiliates.
• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free small business mentoring, workshops, and resources. Comparable in free advisory/workshop delivery model but operates at national scale with volunteer mentors rather than paid staff.
• Washington SBDC Network: Statewide small business development network of which Economic Alliance's embedded SBDC advisors are part. Comparable in service offering (advising, training) but operates across Washington rather than a single rural county.
• Greater Spokane Incorporated: Regional chamber and economic development organization serving the broader Spokane area in Eastern Washington. Comparable in function (business advocacy, economic development) but operates at a much larger scale and metropolitan geography.

Direct peers

• Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County: Public-private partnership driving economic vitality in Skagit County through business retention and recruitment. Direct functional peer—county-level EDO with similar mandate to Economic Alliance in Okanogan.
• Business Impact NW: Northwest-based nonprofit CDFI and small business support organization. Already an Economic Alliance partner delivering financial literacy workshops; directly comparable in providing advising and capital access to small businesses in rural Washington.
• Skagit County Economic Development Authority: Public/private economic development authority serving Skagit County, Washington. Directly comparable as a county-level EDO providing business advising, infrastructure coordination, and small business support in rural North Puget Sound.
• Yakima County Development Association (NEW Vision): Economic development organization serving Yakima County with business retention, attraction, and small business support. Comparable county-level scope, rural-agricultural economy, and mix of advisory and convening services.

Regional players

• NCW Tech Alliance: Tech-focused nonprofit serving North Central Washington with digital literacy and technology programs. Already an Economic Alliance partner; comparable as a regional community/technology nonprofit serving the same North Central Washington geography.
• Port of Skagit: Special-purpose economic development port authority supporting business and industrial growth in Skagit County. Comparable in providing site selection, infrastructure, and business support services to a rural Washington county.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OKCEcoAlliance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OKEconomicAlliance/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/OKEconomicAlliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/economicalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/okanogan-county-economic-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Economic Alliance