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(iv) Small business competitiveness programs focused on hiring 1 and retention; 2 (v) Improvements and repairs to physical workplaces, including in 3 response to public health guidelines or acts of vandalism; and 4 (vi) Other initiatives as determined by the department. 5 (c) The department may require applicants to provide a 6 description of how proposed initiatives will benefit small businesses 7 and entrepreneurs that are not members of the recipient organization, 8 if applicable. 9 (d) The department may encourage, but may not require, a local 10 one-to-one match of state funding awarded under the program. 11 (e) The department may establish regional targets or other 12 benchmarks to ensure equitable geographic distribution of funding. If 13 regional targets or benchmarks are adopted, the department must 14 assess and report to the legislature on the program's performance by 15 June 1, 2023. 16 (f) In developing the program, the department must consult with 17 economic development professionals and small business support 18 organizations. The department may consult with other interested 19 parties at its discretion. 20 (((168))) (167) $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation 21 for fiscal year 2023 is provided solely for the department to 22 contract for technical assistance services for small businesses owned 23 or operated by members of historically disadvantaged populations 24 located in western Washington, with a focus on Black-owned small 25 businesses. The contract recipient must be a business in the arts, 26 entertainment, and media services sector based in the city of Federal 27 Way and with experience working with BIPOC communities. Technical 28 assistance includes but is not limited to services such as: Business 29 and intellectual property development; franchise development and 30 expansion; digital and social media marketing and brand development; 31 community outreach; opportunities to meet potential strategic 32 partners or corporate sponsors; executive workshops; networking 33 events; small business coaching; and start-up assistance. 34 (((169))) (168) $97,000 of the general fund—state appropriation 35 for fiscal year 2023 is provided solely for the department to examine 36 actual and potential school director compensation, including 37 salaries, per diem rates, expense reimbursements, and health care 38 benefits for the purpose of determining what changes in statute or 39 practice, if any, would be necessary to align provisions governing 40 p. 813 ESSB 5187.SL