Restaurant Revitalization Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Second Draw PPP Loans - Paycheck Protection Program resumed Jan 11

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods. More info.

Shuttered Venue Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. MORE INFO.

Seattle Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund (Application period Jan 11-Feb 1)

Help for low-income workers in bars, restaurants, hotels, and motels

The City of Seattle has partnered with Wellspring Family Services to provide one-time cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of workers in the hospitality industry impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Who is Eligible?

The Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund will serve low-income, hospitality workers who live and work in Seattle and have lost their jobs or experienced a pay reduction due to employment changes and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

See if you're eligible and apply!

1.13.21 Current COVID-19 Guidance & Restrictions

11.16.20 Guidance: New, Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions

In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.

We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff
are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.

• From midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14, all counties in
Washington rollback to the restrictions outlined here.

Small Business Stabilization Fund for Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (Open November 9-30!)

The Office of Economic Development will invest an additional $4 million to stabilize small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits. The Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF) provides $10,000 grants to small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

In an attempt to prioritize funding to businesses that are more likely to have experienced the greatest economic impacts, OED will ensure that at least two-thirds of grant recipients will be selected from applications from businesses with five or fewer employees and from areas that are identified as high risk of displacement or highly disadvantaged. Those areas are determined by several socioeconomic factors to identify areas of the city that have been historically underserved and more likely to be disproportionally impacted by economic shocks.  All businesses and nonprofit organizations that receive a grant must commit to not reducing wages and benefits provided prior to the COVID-19 emergency.

See Eligibility & Apply Here.

Federal CARES Act Small Business Emergency Grant Program (applications closed)

The Seattle Metro Chamber, which serves as the King County Associate Development organization, is working to ensure that $580,000 in federal funding reaches King County small businesses. This is part of the $10 million that Washington state received for small businesses support from the federal CARES Act.

What You Need To Know

Is Your Business Eligible?

• Your business is within King County and has (20) or fewer full-time-employees (FTE) OR you are a nonprofit business service that is a 501 (c)(6) and you're within King County. If you are a nonprofit business service organization, you may have over 20 FTE and still be eligible.
• Your business has been in operation for over a year starting from March 1, 2019
• Your business has not been debarred by the federal government
• Your business is licensed in Washington State, has an active UBI number and is without issues with the Department of Labor & Industries. For tribal businesses without a UBI number, a letter or certification from the tribe recognizing you as a business is sufficient.
• You have received $5,000 or less from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG). Businesses that received funds greater than $5,000 from the WWSBEG are not eligible.
• You can provide documentation in case of a federal audit that your requested funds of either $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000 meet the following requirements:
  • The expense is connected to the COVID-19 emergency
  • The expense was incurred March 1, 2020 through November 15, 2020
  • The expense is "necessary" to continue business operations
  • The expense is not filling a short fall in government revenues. (i.e. you are not using the grant to pay taxes, licenses, state, county, federal and/or city fees)
  • The expense is not funded by any other funder, whether private, state or federal. Your company may not be reimbursed by multiple funders for the same cost (double-dipping), and this principle also applies to any recipients of CARES funding: No duplicate payments or supplanting of other costs are allowed. In other words, if you have already received funding to over JUST your April rent, you may not count your April rent as an expense towards this program, but you may use this funding to cover rent other months between March and November of 2020, that were not already covered.
  • Your business wouldn't be requesting assistance with expenses if it had not been impacted by COVID-19

APPLY NOW

SharedWork Program

The SharedWork Program is governed by state and federal laws. SharedWork laws and SharedWork regulations written by the Washington State Legislature explain the basic program and eligibility requirements. See the in-depth list of requirements for a printable quick-reference guide.

Eligibility requirements at a glance

Length of plan

An employer’s SharedWork plan can last up to one year. Employers may reapply at the end of the plan period. Learn More.

King Country Mask/Face Covering Distribution Program

King County has purchased 25 million cloth and disposable masks in an effort to provide these critical supplies to our communities as we enter new phases of re-opening in the wake of COVID-19. We are working with Chambers of Commerce, King County Cities, County Councilmembers, Community Organizations, Churches and Faith-Based Organizations, Transit Agencies, Food Banks, Senior Centers, and other key stakeholders to get supplies out to King County residents. For more information on how to access these supplies, go HERE.

COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces.

The new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools - including template lease amendment language - to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords. Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions. Businesses and nonprofits can access the toolkit here.

Staples Small Business Resource Center

A collection of expert resources to help you reopen safely and emerge stronger than before.

• Tools & Checklists
• Helpful Information: Everything you need to know to get back up and running.
• Products & Offers: Special small business discounts on essential supplies and services.

Also, Staples is offering Chamber members a 10-20% discount! Show this coupon when you checkout.

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants (applications closed)

As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply, companies must:

• Be a for-profit company

• Have between 2 to 50 employees

• Have been in business for 2 full years as of March 2020

• Have an annual revenue between $250k and $2M

• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19

• Meet all other eligibility requirements as stated in the Grant Program Terms linked here.

Full Grant Program Privacy Policy can be found here. Please note that funds cannot be used for any new or existing Salesforce product or service expenditures. MORE INFO.

The Red Backpack Fund

The Red Backpack Fund is an initiative started by The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to GlobalGiving to establish the fund. GlobalGiving will be making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis.

Each month, we will accept additional applications. The portal will open for applications on September 8-15.

Who is eligible to apply?

Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one additional paid employee, and fewer than 50 individuals on staff. Sole proprietors are not currently eligible to apply. Businesses must be in good standing and incorporated as a legal entity, and be able to demonstrate that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing hardship.

Hello Alice Business for All Grant (applications open through September 25) 

$250,000 in grants will be awarded to Business for All applicants, as a critical step towards tackling entrepreneurs’ single greatest barrier to growth: access to capital. Grantees will be selected by an esteemed council of leaders from across the business ecosystem, representing diverse organizations, industries, locations and demographics.

SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

Small Business Stabilization Fund: Round 2

Round one applications were due March 25th.

Round 2

Small businesses still have a chance to apply for the second round of the Stabilization Fund. The City of Seattle is working with philanthropy organizations for another round of the Stabilization Fund, to provide working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. The Office of Economic Development is currently working to secure funding for another round of Stabilization Fund grants. They will have more details to share soon.

FAQs.

SLU Chamber Small Business Group

This is an online Facebook Group and a space to discuss the challenges you're facing as well as share information and resources with other business owners. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Gift Card Marketplace & eBay's "Up & Running" Program

Are you a small business? Get in touch with us to be added to the marketplace.

Intentionalist is here to connect you with the small businesses in your community. Find and purchase gift certificates from a variety of brick + mortar small businesses, including those that don’t have an online storefront.

eBay's "Up & Running" Program

With a new accelerator program that waives selling fees, eBay pledges up to $100 million in support of small business over the next three months.

eBay is launching “Up & Running,” an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to selling online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. LEARN MORE!

Guide to Small Business Stimulus Relief - Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis

"I want to immediately share with you some critical first come first serve resources for small businesses to provide relief.

First, businesses can apply immediately, as in right now, for up to $10,000 of fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at this link. The application takes about 2 hours to complete and successful applicants will receive relief within 3 days.

Second, The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans of up to $10 million provided they are used to cover employee wages, mortgage payments, and rent. Note that 75% of the loan must go toward employee wages in order to be forgiven. In the event the loans are not forgiven the interest rate is 0.5%. Your business can apply for PPP loans at any participating lender. Please ask your lender if they are participating in this program. More details can be found at this link.

Finally, it is very possible that in my haste to get this information out to the district I missed certain resources that may be helpful. Seattle's SBA office is a great resource to learn more about available relief. You can contact the Seattle SBA office at this link."

---

Updates on Cares Act PPP (closed August 8th)

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

Guidance from 5 experts per The Puget Sound Business Journal.

• Use the loan for its intended purpose
• Track and record
• Tap into experts
• Be ready to adjust on the fly
• Rehire your employees...if they want to come back
• Forgiveness is not for every business
• Reimagine your business in a post-coronavirus world
• Stick with your bank...for now

For more detailed information, read the article here.

Amazon's Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund (no longer accepting applications)

Our goal with this fund is to help our neighborhood small businesses maintain their livelihood, and continue to foster a vibrant community.

To be eligible for a grant, recipients must have fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue. See more eligibility & information HERE.

Interested neighborhood small businesses can APPLY HERE

Local for Later & Give Local

Local for Later: An ongoing list of local businesses you can support during social distancing. Add your business!

Give Local: Help Save a Local Business. Add you business!

Restaurant Revitalization Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Second Draw PPP Loans - Paycheck Protection Program resumed Jan 11

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods. More info.

Shuttered Venue Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. MORE INFO.

Seattle Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund (Application period Jan 11-Feb 1)

Help for low-income workers in bars, restaurants, hotels, and motels

The City of Seattle has partnered with Wellspring Family Services to provide one-time cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of workers in the hospitality industry impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Who is Eligible?

The Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund will serve low-income, hospitality workers who live and work in Seattle and have lost their jobs or experienced a pay reduction due to employment changes and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

See if you're eligible and apply!

1.13.21 Current COVID-19 Guidance & Restrictions

11.16.20 Guidance: New, Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions

In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.

We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff
are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.

• From midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14, all counties in
Washington rollback to the restrictions outlined here.

Small Business Stabilization Fund for Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (Open November 9-30!)

The Office of Economic Development will invest an additional $4 million to stabilize small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits. The Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF) provides $10,000 grants to small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

In an attempt to prioritize funding to businesses that are more likely to have experienced the greatest economic impacts, OED will ensure that at least two-thirds of grant recipients will be selected from applications from businesses with five or fewer employees and from areas that are identified as high risk of displacement or highly disadvantaged. Those areas are determined by several socioeconomic factors to identify areas of the city that have been historically underserved and more likely to be disproportionally impacted by economic shocks.  All businesses and nonprofit organizations that receive a grant must commit to not reducing wages and benefits provided prior to the COVID-19 emergency.

See Eligibility & Apply Here.

Federal CARES Act Small Business Emergency Grant Program (applications close September 28 at 5pm)

The Seattle Metro Chamber, which serves as the King County Associate Development organization, is working to ensure that $580,000 in federal funding reaches King County small businesses. This is part of the $10 million that Washington state received for small businesses support from the federal CARES Act.

What You Need To Know

Is Your Business Eligible?

• Your business is within King County and has (20) or fewer full-time-employees (FTE) OR you are a nonprofit business service that is a 501 (c)(6) and you're within King County. If you are a nonprofit business service organization, you may have over 20 FTE and still be eligible.
• Your business has been in operation for over a year starting from March 1, 2019
• Your business has not been debarred by the federal government
• Your business is licensed in Washington State, has an active UBI number and is without issues with the Department of Labor & Industries. For tribal businesses without a UBI number, a letter or certification from the tribe recognizing you as a business is sufficient.
• You have received $5,000 or less from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG). Businesses that received funds greater than $5,000 from the WWSBEG are not eligible.
• You can provide documentation in case of a federal audit that your requested funds of either $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000 meet the following requirements:
  • The expense is connected to the COVID-19 emergency
  • The expense was incurred March 1, 2020 through November 15, 2020
  • The expense is "necessary" to continue business operations
  • The expense is not filling a short fall in government revenues. (i.e. you are not using the grant to pay taxes, licenses, state, county, federal and/or city fees)
  • The expense is not funded by any other funder, whether private, state or federal. Your company may not be reimbursed by multiple funders for the same cost (double-dipping), and this principle also applies to any recipients of CARES funding: No duplicate payments or supplanting of other costs are allowed. In other words, if you have already received funding to over JUST your April rent, you may not count your April rent as an expense towards this program, but you may use this funding to cover rent other months between March and November of 2020, that were not already covered.
  • Your business wouldn't be requesting assistance with expenses if it had not been impacted by COVID-19

APPLY NOW

King Country Mask/Face Covering Distribution Program

King County has purchased 25 million cloth and disposable masks in an effort to provide these critical supplies to our communities as we enter new phases of re-opening in the wake of COVID-19. We are working with Chambers of Commerce, King County Cities, County Councilmembers, Community Organizations, Churches and Faith-Based Organizations, Transit Agencies, Food Banks, Senior Centers, and other key stakeholders to get supplies out to King County residents. For more information on how to access these supplies, go HERE.

COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces

The new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools - including template lease amendment language - to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords. Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions. Businesses and nonprofits can access the toolkit here.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program (closed)

Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries where we operate will be able to receive the grant. To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be a for-profit company
• Have between 2 and 50 employees
• Have been in business for over a year
• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
• Be in or near a location where Facebook operates

Staples Small Business Resource Center

A collection of expert resources to help you reopen safely and emerge stronger than before.

• Tools & Checklists
• Helpful Information: Everything you need to know to get back up and running.
• Products & Offers: Special small business discounts on essential supplies and services.

Also, Chamber members can receive 10-20% off with this coupon.

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants (applications closed)

As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply, companies must:

• Be a for-profit company

• Have between 2 to 50 employees

• Have been in business for 2 full years as of March 2020

• Have an annual revenue between $250k and $2M

• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19

• Meet all other eligibility requirements as stated in the Grant Program Terms linked here.

Full Grant Program Privacy Policy can be found here. Please note that funds cannot be used for any new or existing Salesforce product or service expenditures. MORE INFO.

Hello Alice Business for All Grant

$250,000 in grants will be awarded to Business for All applicants, as a critical step towards tackling entrepreneurs’ single greatest barrier to growth: access to capital. Grantees will be selected by an esteemed council of leaders from across the business ecosystem, representing diverse organizations, industries, locations and demographics.

SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

The Red Backpack Fund (opens September 8-15)

The Red Backpack Fund is an initiative started by The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to GlobalGiving to establish the fund. GlobalGiving will be making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis.

Each month, we will accept additional applications. The portal will open for applications on September 8-15.

Who is eligible to apply?

Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one additional paid employee, and fewer than 50 individuals on staff. Sole proprietors are not currently eligible to apply. Businesses must be in good standing and incorporated as a legal entity, and be able to demonstrate that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing hardship.

StartUp Washington: Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

***UPDATE: APPLICATIONS CLOSED IN KING COUNTY DUE TO OVERWHELMING VOLUME*** (4/9)

Governor Inslee is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Up to $5 million in funds are provided through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and administered by the State Department of Commerce. The grant program will provide a limited number of businesses in Washington’s 39 counties with a grant up to $10,000.

eBay's "Up & Running" Program 

With a new accelerator program that waives selling fees, eBay pledges up to $100 million in support of small business over the next three months.

eBay is launching “Up & Running,” an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to selling online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. LEARN MORE!

SLU Chamber Small Business Group

This is an online Facebook Group and a space to discuss the challenges you're facing as well as share information and resources with other business owners. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Guide to Small Business Stimulus Relief - Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis

"I want to immediately share with you some critical first come first serve resources for small businesses to provide relief.

First, businesses can apply immediately, as in right now, for up to $10,000 of fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at this link. The application takes about 2 hours to complete and successful applicants will receive relief within 3 days.

Second, The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans of up to $10 million provided they are used to cover employee wages, mortgage payments, and rent. Note that 75% of the loan must go toward employee wages in order to be forgiven. In the event the loans are not forgiven the interest rate is 0.5%. Your business can apply for PPP loans at any participating lender. Please ask your lender if they are participating in this program. More details can be found at this link.

Finally, it is very possible that in my haste to get this information out to the district I missed certain resources that may be helpful. Seattle's SBA office is a great resource to learn more about available relief. You can contact the Seattle SBA office at this link."

Updates on Cares Act PPP

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

Guidance from 5 experts per The Puget Sound Business Journal.

• Use the loan for its intended purpose
• Track and record
• Tap into experts
• Be ready to adjust on the fly
• Rehire your employees...if they want to come back
• Forgiveness is not for every business
• Reimagine your business in a post-coronavirus world
• Stick with your bank...for now

For more detailed information, read the article here.

 

Amazon's Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund (closed)

Our goal with this fund is to help our neighborhood small businesses maintain their livelihood, and continue to foster a vibrant community.

To be eligible for a grant, recipients must have fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue. See more eligibility & information HERE.

Interested neighborhood small businesses can APPLY HERE

Local for Later & Give Local

Local for Later: An ongoing list of local businesses you can support during social distancing. Add your business!

Give Local: Help Save a Local Business. Add you business!

Gift Card Marketplace

Are you a small business? Get in touch with us to be added to the marketplace.

Intentionalist is here to connect you with the small businesses in your community. Find and purchase gift certificates from a variety of brick + mortar small businesses, including those that don’t have an online storefront.

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Weekly Webinars

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is hosting weekly webinars every Friday from 2:30-4:00pm to connect community to information regarding COVID-19. Each week will cover different topics. Learn More.

Navigating State Unemployment in a Pandemic

Standby, Partial Work, and Shared Work

Are you and your colleagues facing challenges filing for unemployment following Coronavirus-related layoffs? Watch this webinar for guidance from Washington State's Employment Security Department (ESD) about how to navigate these benefits, especially if your workforce includes part-time workers who are getting automatic denials as ESD works to update their system to reflect new emergency rules.

**Webinar begins at 26 minute mark**

Second Draw PPP Loans - Paycheck Protection Program resumed Jan 11

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods. More info.

Shuttered Venue Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. MORE INFO.

1.13.21 Current COVID-19 Guidance & Restrictions

11.16.20 Guidance: New, Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions

In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.

We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff
are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.

• From midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14, all counties in
Washington rollback to the restrictions outlined here.

Small Business Stabilization Fund for Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (Open November 9-30!)

The Office of Economic Development will invest an additional $4 million to stabilize small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits. The Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF) provides $10,000 grants to small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

In an attempt to prioritize funding to businesses that are more likely to have experienced the greatest economic impacts, OED will ensure that at least two-thirds of grant recipients will be selected from applications from businesses with five or fewer employees and from areas that are identified as high risk of displacement or highly disadvantaged. Those areas are determined by several socioeconomic factors to identify areas of the city that have been historically underserved and more likely to be disproportionally impacted by economic shocks.  All businesses and nonprofit organizations that receive a grant must commit to not reducing wages and benefits provided prior to the COVID-19 emergency.

See Eligibility & Apply Here.

Federal CARES Act Small Business Emergency Grant Program (applications close September 28 at 5pm)

The Seattle Metro Chamber, which serves as the King County Associate Development organization, is working to ensure that $580,000 in federal funding reaches King County small businesses. This is part of the $10 million that Washington state received for small businesses support from the federal CARES Act.

What You Need To Know

Is Your Business Eligible?

• Your business is within King County and has (20) or fewer full-time-employees (FTE) OR you are a nonprofit business service that is a 501 (c)(6) and you're within King County. If you are a nonprofit business service organization, you may have over 20 FTE and still be eligible.
• Your business has been in operation for over a year starting from March 1, 2019
• Your business has not been debarred by the federal government
• Your business is licensed in Washington State, has an active UBI number and is without issues with the Department of Labor & Industries. For tribal businesses without a UBI number, a letter or certification from the tribe recognizing you as a business is sufficient.
• You have received $5,000 or less from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG). Businesses that received funds greater than $5,000 from the WWSBEG are not eligible.
• You can provide documentation in case of a federal audit that your requested funds of either $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000 meet the following requirements:
  • The expense is connected to the COVID-19 emergency
  • The expense was incurred March 1, 2020 through November 15, 2020
  • The expense is "necessary" to continue business operations
  • The expense is not filling a short fall in government revenues. (i.e. you are not using the grant to pay taxes, licenses, state, county, federal and/or city fees)
  • The expense is not funded by any other funder, whether private, state or federal. Your company may not be reimbursed by multiple funders for the same cost (double-dipping), and this principle also applies to any recipients of CARES funding: No duplicate payments or supplanting of other costs are allowed. In other words, if you have already received funding to over JUST your April rent, you may not count your April rent as an expense towards this program, but you may use this funding to cover rent other months between March and November of 2020, that were not already covered.
  • Your business wouldn't be requesting assistance with expenses if it had not been impacted by COVID-19

APPLY NOW

SharedWork Program

The SharedWork Program is governed by state and federal laws. SharedWork laws and SharedWork regulations written by the Washington State Legislature explain the basic program and eligibility requirements. See the in-depth list of requirements for a printable quick-reference guide.

Eligibility requirements at a glance

Length of plan

An employer’s SharedWork plan can last up to one year. Employers may reapply at the end of the plan period. Learn More.

King Country Mask/Face Covering Distribution Program

King County has purchased 25 million cloth and disposable masks in an effort to provide these critical supplies to our communities as we enter new phases of re-opening in the wake of COVID-19. We are working with Chambers of Commerce, King County Cities, County Councilmembers, Community Organizations, Churches and Faith-Based Organizations, Transit Agencies, Food Banks, Senior Centers, and other key stakeholders to get supplies out to King County residents. For more information on how to access these supplies, go HERE.

COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces

The new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools - including template lease amendment language - to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords. Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions. Businesses and nonprofits can access the toolkit here.

The Red Backpack Fund (opens September 8-15)

The Red Backpack Fund is an initiative started by The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to GlobalGiving to establish the fund. GlobalGiving will be making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis.

Each month, we will accept additional applications. The portal will open for applications on September 8-15th.

Who is eligible to apply?

Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one additional paid employee, and fewer than 50 individuals on staff. Sole proprietors are not currently eligible to apply. Businesses must be in good standing and incorporated as a legal entity, and be able to demonstrate that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing hardship.

Staples Small Business Resource Center

A collection of expert resources to help you reopen safely and emerge stronger than before.

• Tools & Checklists
• Helpful Information: Everything you need to know to get back up and running.
• Products & Offers: Special small business discounts on essential supplies and services.

Small Business Stabilization Fund: Round 2

Round one applications were due March 25th.

Round 2

Small businesses still have a chance to apply for the second round of the Stabilization Fund. The City of Seattle is working with philanthropy organizations for another round of the Stabilization Fund, to provide working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. The Office of Economic Development is currently working to secure funding for another round of Stabilization Fund grants. They will have more details to share soon.

FAQs.

City of Seattle, Hygiene Facilities

There are a number of restrooms, showers and comfort stations spread out across Seattle. They're especially important as we're placing an emphasis on handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic.  These facilities, mapped here, are available to people experiencing homelessness.

StartUp Washington: Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

Working your way through a crisis – whether it’s manmade or natural – is difficult work to say the least. To help guide you through current and future crises, including natural disasters, we’ve put together a wealth of resources for you.

***UPDATE: APPLICATIONS CLOSED IN KING COUNTY DUE TO OVERWHELMING VOLUME***

Governor Inslee is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Up to $5 million in funds are provided through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and administered by the State Department of Commerce. The grant program will provide a limited number of businesses in Washington’s 39 counties with a grant up to $10,000. Find out if you're eligible and complete your application here!

Guide to Small Business Stimulus Relief - Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis

"I want to immediately share with you some critical first come first serve resources for small businesses to provide relief.

First, businesses can apply immediately, as in right now, for up to $10,000 of fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at this link. The application takes about 2 hours to complete and successful applicants will receive relief within 3 days.

Second, The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans of up to $10 million provided they are used to cover employee wages, mortgage payments, and rent. Note that 75% of the loan must go toward employee wages in order to be forgiven. In the event the loans are not forgiven the interest rate is 0.5%. Your business can apply for PPP loans at any participating lender. Please ask your lender if they are participating in this program. More details can be found at this link.

Finally, it is very possible that in my haste to get this information out to the district I missed certain resources that may be helpful. Seattle's SBA office is a great resource to learn more about available relief. You can contact the Seattle SBA office at this link."

---

Updates on Cares Act PPP

***The SBA resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT.***

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers (5/6/2020)

Guidance from 5 experts per The Puget Sound Business Journal.

• Use the loan for its intended purpose
• Track and record
• Tap into experts
• Be ready to adjust on the fly
• Rehire your employees...if they want to come back
• Forgiveness is not for every business
• Reimagine your business in a post-coronavirus world
• Stick with your bank...for now

For more detailed information, read the article here.

Seattle Foundation

COVID-19 Response Fund which is being allocated to nonprofits that are participating in the COVID-19 response

the COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The Fund is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible.

In the near-term, one-time operating grants will fund organizations that have deep roots within priority populations, such as:

• Residents without health insurance and/or access to sick days
• Residents with limited English language proficiency
• Healthcare and gig economy workers
• Communities of color

Apply HERE

 SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories were able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses.

The new eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)).
• SBA is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information needed for their application.

Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying. SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

***Need assistance applying for SBA Disaster Loans? The Seattle Office of Economic Development can help! More details here. Businesses interested in these services, please complete the in-take survey and they will reach out to you within one business days.***

DoorDash Subsidized Delivery for Nonprofits

DoorDash is offering subsidized delivery services (priced only to recuperate their costs, such as paying couriers) for nonprofit organizations and local agencies looking to transport food and other necessities from distribution hubs to residents. Interested organizations can start by completing this brief form, and DoorDash will contact you within two business days.

Restaurant Revitalization Plan

The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.

Second Draw PPP Loans - Paycheck Protection Program resumed Jan 11

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

At least $25 billion is being set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low or moderate income neighborhoods. More info.

Shuttered Venue Grant

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. MORE INFO.

Seattle Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund (Application period Jan 11-Feb 1)

Help for low-income workers in bars, restaurants, hotels, and motels

The City of Seattle has partnered with Wellspring Family Services to provide one-time cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of workers in the hospitality industry impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Who is Eligible?

The Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund will serve low-income, hospitality workers who live and work in Seattle and have lost their jobs or experienced a pay reduction due to employment changes and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

See if you're eligible and apply!

1.13.21 Current COVID-19 Guidance & Restrictions

11.16.20 Guidance: New, Statewide COVID-19 Restrictions

In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.

We recognize this will cause financial hardship for many businesses and the governor and staff
are exploring ways to mitigate the impacts.

• From midnight on Monday, November 16 through Monday, December 14, all counties in
Washington rollback to the restrictions outlined here.

Small Business Stabilization Fund for Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19 (Open November 9-30!)

The Office of Economic Development will invest an additional $4 million to stabilize small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits. The Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF) provides $10,000 grants to small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

In an attempt to prioritize funding to businesses that are more likely to have experienced the greatest economic impacts, OED will ensure that at least two-thirds of grant recipients will be selected from applications from businesses with five or fewer employees and from areas that are identified as high risk of displacement or highly disadvantaged. Those areas are determined by several socioeconomic factors to identify areas of the city that have been historically underserved and more likely to be disproportionally impacted by economic shocks.  All businesses and nonprofit organizations that receive a grant must commit to not reducing wages and benefits provided prior to the COVID-19 emergency.

See Eligibility & Apply Here.

Federal CARES Act Small Business Emergency Grant Program (applications close September 28 at 5pm)

The Seattle Metro Chamber, which serves as the King County Associate Development organization, is working to ensure that $580,000 in federal funding reaches King County small businesses. This is part of the $10 million that Washington state received for small businesses support from the federal CARES Act.

What You Need To Know

Is Your Business Eligible?

• Your business is within King County and has (20) or fewer full-time-employees (FTE) OR you are a nonprofit business service that is a 501 (c)(6) and you're within King County. If you are a nonprofit business service organization, you may have over 20 FTE and still be eligible.
• Your business has been in operation for over a year starting from March 1, 2019
• Your business has not been debarred by the federal government
• Your business is licensed in Washington State, has an active UBI number and is without issues with the Department of Labor & Industries. For tribal businesses without a UBI number, a letter or certification from the tribe recognizing you as a business is sufficient.
• You have received $5,000 or less from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG). Businesses that received funds greater than $5,000 from the WWSBEG are not eligible.
• You can provide documentation in case of a federal audit that your requested funds of either $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000 meet the following requirements:
  • The expense is connected to the COVID-19 emergency
  • The expense was incurred March 1, 2020 through November 15, 2020
  • The expense is "necessary" to continue business operations
  • The expense is not filling a short fall in government revenues. (i.e. you are not using the grant to pay taxes, licenses, state, county, federal and/or city fees)
  • The expense is not funded by any other funder, whether private, state or federal. Your company may not be reimbursed by multiple funders for the same cost (double-dipping), and this principle also applies to any recipients of CARES funding: No duplicate payments or supplanting of other costs are allowed. In other words, if you have already received funding to over JUST your April rent, you may not count your April rent as an expense towards this program, but you may use this funding to cover rent other months between March and November of 2020, that were not already covered.
  • Your business wouldn't be requesting assistance with expenses if it had not been impacted by COVID-19

APPLY NOW

King Country Mask/Face Covering Distribution Program

King County has purchased 25 million cloth and disposable masks in an effort to provide these critical supplies to our communities as we enter new phases of re-opening in the wake of COVID-19. We are working with Chambers of Commerce, King County Cities, County Councilmembers, Community Organizations, Churches and Faith-Based Organizations, Transit Agencies, Food Banks, Senior Centers, and other key stakeholders to get supplies out to King County residents. For more information on how to access these supplies, go HERE.

COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces

The new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools - including template lease amendment language - to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords. Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions. Businesses and nonprofits can access the toolkit here.

Staples Small Business Resource Center

A collection of expert resources to help you reopen safely and emerge stronger than before.

• Tools & Checklists
• Helpful Information: Everything you need to know to get back up and running.
• Products & Offers: Special small business discounts on essential supplies and services.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program (closed)

Applications currently closed.

Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries where we operate will be able to receive the grant. To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be a for-profit company
• Have between 2 and 50 employees
• Have been in business for over a year
• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
• Be in or near a location where Facebook operates

Salesforce Care Small Business Grants (applications closed)

As part of Salesforce’s commitment to small businesses and giving back to the community, Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible to apply, companies must:

• Be a for-profit company

• Have between 2 to 50 employees

• Have been in business for 2 full years as of March 2020

• Have an annual revenue between $250k and $2M

• Have experienced challenges from COVID-19

• Meet all other eligibility requirements as stated in the Grant Program Terms linked here.

Full Grant Program Privacy Policy can be found here. Please note that funds cannot be used for any new or existing Salesforce product or service expenditures. MORE INFO.

Hello Alice Business for All Grant

$250,000 in grants will be awarded to Business for All applicants, as a critical step towards tackling entrepreneurs’ single greatest barrier to growth: access to capital. Grantees will be selected by an esteemed council of leaders from across the business ecosystem, representing diverse organizations, industries, locations and demographics.

SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE.

The Red Backpack Fund (applications open September 8-15)

The Red Backpack Fund is an initiative started by The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation. The foundation donated $5 million to GlobalGiving to establish the fund. GlobalGiving will be making at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis.

Each month, we will accept additional applications. The portal will open for applications on September 8-15th.

Who is eligible to apply?

Majority women-owned businesses and nonprofits with annual revenues less than $5M, at least one additional paid employee, and fewer than 50 individuals on staff. Sole proprietors are not currently eligible to apply. Businesses must be in good standing and incorporated as a legal entity, and be able to demonstrate that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing hardship.

Small Business Stabilization Fund: Round 2

Round one applications were due March 25th.

Round 2

Small businesses still have a chance to apply for the second round of the Stabilization Fund. The City of Seattle is working with philanthropy organizations for another round of the Stabilization Fund, to provide working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. The Office of Economic Development is currently working to secure funding for another round of Stabilization Fund grants. They will have more details to share soon.

FAQs.

StartUp Washington: Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

Working your way through a crisis – whether it’s manmade or natural – is difficult work to say the least. To help guide you through current and future crises, including natural disasters, we’ve put together a wealth of resources for you.

***UPDATE: APPLICATIONS CLOSED IN KING COUNTY DUE TO OVERWHELMING VOLUME*** (4/9)

Governor Inslee is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Up to $5 million in funds are provided through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and administered by the State Department of Commerce. The grant program will provide a limited number of businesses in Washington’s 39 counties with a grant up to $10,000. Find out if you're eligible and complete your application here!

Gift Card Marketplace & eBay's "Up & Running" Program

Are you a small business? Get in touch with us to be added to the marketplace.

Intentionalist is here to connect you with the small businesses in your community. Find and purchase gift certificates from a variety of brick + mortar small businesses, including those that don’t have an online storefront.

eBay's "Up & Running" Program 

With a new accelerator program that waives selling fees, eBay pledges up to $100 million in support of small business over the next three months.

eBay is launching “Up & Running,” an accelerator program specifically designed to help retailers without an e-commerce presence transition to selling online, pledging up to $100 million in support for small businesses across North America. LEARN MORE!

Guide to Small Business Stimulus Relief - Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis

"I want to immediately share with you some critical first come first serve resources for small businesses to provide relief.

First, businesses can apply immediately, as in right now, for up to $10,000 of fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans at this link. The application takes about 2 hours to complete and successful applicants will receive relief within 3 days.

Second, The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers fully forgivable Small Business Administration (SBA) loans of up to $10 million provided they are used to cover employee wages, mortgage payments, and rent. Note that 75% of the loan must go toward employee wages in order to be forgiven. In the event the loans are not forgiven the interest rate is 0.5%. Your business can apply for PPP loans at any participating lender. Please ask your lender if they are participating in this program. More details can be found at this link.

Finally, it is very possible that in my haste to get this information out to the district I missed certain resources that may be helpful. Seattle's SBA office is a great resource to learn more about available relief. You can contact the Seattle SBA office at this link."

Updates on Cares Act PPP

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers (5/6/2020)

Guidance from 5 experts per The Puget Sound Business Journal.

• Use the loan for its intended purpose
• Track and record
• Tap into experts
• Be ready to adjust on the fly
• Rehire your employees...if they want to come back
• Forgiveness is not for every business
• Reimagine your business in a post-coronavirus world
• Stick with your bank...for now

For more detailed information, read the article here.

The Plate Fund

Many of your lives have been upended as your employers have been forced to cut hours, suspend their business, permanently close and lay off employees.

If you have urgent, necessary expenses that you are unable to pay for until you receive federal assistance or unemployment insurance, or if you do not qualify for those benefits, The Plate Fund may be able to assist you with a $500 emergency relief grant.

Amazon's Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund (closed)

Our goal with this fund is to help our neighborhood small businesses maintain their livelihood, and continue to foster a vibrant community.

To be eligible for a grant, recipients must have fewer than 50 employees or less than $7 million in annual revenue. See more eligibility & information HERE.

Interested neighborhood small businesses can APPLY HERE

SharedWork Program

Local for Later & Give Local

Local for Later: An ongoing list of local businesses you can support during social distancing. Add your business!

Give Local: Help Save a Local Business. Add you business!

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation & Resources

RWCF COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund - The RCWF Board of Directors has approved directing funds raised during this crisis to be allocated in the following ways:

• 50% FOR DIRECT RELIEF TO INDIVIDUAL RESTAURANT WORKERS
• 25% FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING RESTAURANT WORKERS IN CRISIS
• 25% FOR ZERO-INTEREST LOANS FOR RESTAURANTS TO GET BACK UP AND RUNNING

For more details, please see the FAQ's.

SLU Chamber Small Business Group

National Restaurant Association

Coronavirus Information & Resources Page

• Can the coronavirus be spread through food, including refrigerated or frozen food?
• What food safety measures are restaurants taking?
• How can I find out if my state or local government has made changes to how restaurants can operate in my community?
• What do I need to know about the CDC guidance on social distancing?
• Where can I find the EPA list of antimicrobial products for use against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2?
• Where can I find more information about the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance loans for impacted businesses?
• What is the impact to the supply chain?
• Coronavirus: What You Can Do Fact Sheet (English & Spanish)
• Handwashing 101 Poster (English & Spanish) and Youtube Video
• Handwashing Infographic
• Before You Come To Work Poster
• Cleaning vs. Sanitizing Poster (English & Spanish)
• Clean-up of Vomiting and Diarrheal Event Poster
• Food Safety Focus Blog
• March 10 Webinar: Preparing for Coronavirus: Steps for Foodservice and Restaurant Readiness
• What Experts are Saying
• Business Continuity Planning Basics: 10 Steps to Take Now
• Tell Congress to Support Restaurants and Our Employees!

First Tech Federal Credit Union Financial Care

First Tech's Emergency Assistance Program offers a special program to aid members that are experiencing  financial hardship.

Emergency Loans - First Tech also offers Emergency Loans for members in special situations such as a natural disaster or a regional emergency.  Learn More.

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation

Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency.

Navigating State Unemployment in a Pandemic

Standby, Partial Work, and Shared Work

Are you and your colleagues facing challenges filing for unemployment following Coronavirus-related layoffs? Watch this webinar for guidance from Washington State's Employment Security Department (ESD) about how to navigate these benefits, especially if your workforce includes part-time workers who are getting automatic denials as ESD works to update their system to reflect new emergency rules.

**Webinar begins at 26 minute mark**