Business Support for Vancouver & Clark County Entrepreneurs
Free coaching, training, and funding to help you start, grow, and sustain your business.
Call us 360 258 0817
Business Support for Small Businesses in Clark County
Practical help to start, run, and grow your business
Fourth Plain Forward works alongside entrepreneurs and small business owners across Clark County to tackle the real challenges of running a business — from getting licensed and organized, to managing cash flow, building skills, and accessing capital.
We don’t just point you to resources. Our team provides hands-on training, coaching, funding pathways, and space so business owners can move from idea to operation, and from survival to stability.
On this page, you’ll find our core programs for:
business training and workshops
one-on-one coaching and technical assistance
matched savings, grants, and affordable loans
commissary kitchen and coworking space
All of our services are free, offered in English and Spanish, and designed for startups and small businesses across Clark County.
📞 Questions? Call (360) 258-0817
Our business services are supported by funding through the City of Vancouver and Clark County through CDBG funds.
Funding for Your Business
Multiple pathways to help you invest in your next step
Access to capital looks different at each stage of business. Fourth Plain Forward offers a range of funding options — paired with coaching — so entrepreneurs can use money well, not just get money.
Business IDA
Turn disciplined saving into real business investment.
Save $500 over six months and receive a matched deposit of up to $3,000 to use for approved business expenses like tools, equipment, licensing, or startup costs. Participants complete business and financial training and leave better prepared to manage money as their business grows.
This option is ideal for early-stage businesses, trades, and food entrepreneurs who need capital to get started.
Small Business Grants
Targeted support for critical startup and growth costs.
As funding allows, we offer mini-grants to active program participants to help cover expenses such as permits, equipment, materials, or professional services. Grants are designed to remove early barriers and help businesses reach their next milestone.
Availability varies based on funding sources and program cycles.
Affordable Business Loans
Flexible capital for growth and working needs.
Through the FPF Lending Agency, eligible Clark County businesses can access affordable loans to support working capital, equipment purchases, or expansion. Loan readiness support is built into our programs so owners understand their numbers and borrow with confidence.
Loans are paired with coaching to strengthen long-term business stability..
Business Training & Workshops
Our core programs for small business owners in Clark County.
Business Academy
A multi-week training program for business owners
The Business Academy is a hands-on course for entrepreneurs who want to build a real, functioning business. Over several weeks, participants work through the basics they need to operate day to day, including:
getting licensed and registered
setting up simple operations and systems
pricing products and services
understanding cash flow and expenses
By the end of the program, business owners have clearer systems, better numbers, and are better prepared to apply for matched savings, grants, or loans. Classes are offered in English and Spanish and led by bilingual instructors with real small-business experience.
Business Connect
Workshops and networking for local business owners
Business Connect brings entrepreneurs together through practical workshops and networking events focused on the real challenges of running a small business. These sessions are open to all and designed to help owners build skills, share experiences, and grow their local networks.
Through Business Connect, you can:
Attend workshops on marketing, bookkeeping, legal basics, and pricing
Learn from local professionals and experienced business owners
Connect with peers facing similar challenges
Build relationships that lead to referrals, partnerships, and support
Events are offered in English and Spanish and are open to startups and small businesses across Clark County.
Mentoring & Business Support
Ongoing, practical support to move your business forward
Our coaching and technical assistance go beyond advice. We work alongside business owners to solve real problems, build systems, and make confident decisions at each stage of growth.
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Clarity, confidence, and accountability for business owners
Work one-on-one with our team to:
Clarify your business goals and growth path
Work through challenges like pricing, cash flow, or burnout
Build confidence as a business owner and decision-maker
Stay accountable to next steps between sessions
Coaching focuses on the person behind the business — helping you strengthen mindset, leadership, and direction as your business grows.
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Hands-on help with the nuts and bolts of running your business
Get practical support with:
Business setup, licensing, and registrations
Pricing products and services
Bookkeeping basics and understanding your numbers
Creating simple systems for invoicing, tracking, and operations
Marketing foundations and customer outreach
TA sessions are about doing the work together, not just talking about it.
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Support tailored to how your business actually operates
We provide targeted assistance for:
Food businesses — permitting, food safety, costing, and kitchen operations
Trades & construction — tools, licensing, estimating, and job costing
Health & beauty and services — compliance, pricing, and client systems
This support is built into our Business Academy, commissary kitchen, and matched savings programs so you’re not navigating industry rules alone.
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When specialized help is needed, we don’t just hand you a link
If your needs go beyond our scope, we connect you to:
Legal and accounting support
Specialized lenders
Sector experts and mentors
Local business development partners
We stay involved and help you navigate next steps, rather than sending you off on your own.
Fourth Plain Community Commons
Home to our commissary kitchen and coworking space for local entrepreneurs and community-based organizations.
Commissary Kitchen for Food Entrepreneurs
A licensed kitchen plus the support to turn recipes into revenue
Launch and grow your food business with access to our commercial commissary kitchen at Fourth Plain Community Commons, combined with hands-on help to:
Navigate food safety and health permitting
Cost recipes and set pricing
Prepare for catering, markets, and wholesale
Connect to vendor and event opportunities
Coworking & Meeting Space at FPCC
Affordable workspace in the heart of the corridor
Work from a professional, community-centered space designed for small teams and solo entrepreneurs, with:
Dedicated desks and flexible passes
Conference rooms for client meetings and workshops
Reliable Wi-Fi, printing, and phone rooms
A built-in network of other local organizations and business owners
