COVID-19 Support & Resources for Businesses

February 1, 2021: King County Move to Phase 2 On Thursday, Jan 28, Gov. Inslee announced metric changes to Healthy  Washington – Roadmap to Recovery. Read the Governor’s Statement. Phase 2 allows for additional indoor activities, including dining, fitness, museums and more at 25 percent capacity.  As we face new more contagious COVID-19 variants, we must stay as vigilant as ever to keep businesses open and COVID activity trending down. In addition to wearing well-fitted masks and social distancing, Public Health—Seattle & King County encourages businesses and facilities operating indoors to prioritize ventilation and air flow, in addition to outdoor, takeout and curbside offerings. For activities and gatherings allowed in Phase 2 that require advanced planning, such as wedding and funeral receptions, keep in mind that the state will evaluate our region’s status every two weeks and can move us back to Phase 1, if we aren’t meeting their criteria. 

For more information on reopening, visit our main Coronavirus information page at: COVID-19 (coronavirus)

Current

Advising

(re)STARTUP425’s Business Response Team can provide free technical advising to assist in accessing financial options (like grants and SBA loans), becoming loan-ready, and retaining employees. They’ve partnered with Business Impact NW, a community-development financial institution and nonprofit, to bring Eastside businesses one-on-one advising from local experts in small business resilience.

Comcast Rise: Comcast Rise is a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media and technology services to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses. Comcast Rise is accepting applications from eligible small businesses that are BIPOC-owned. Selected businesses could receive one or more of the following business services through Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast, and Comcast Business, a leading provider of technology for businesses: Advertising and Marketing Consulting; Media; Creative Production; Technology Makeover; Monetary Grants (coming in 2021). Apply Here

Loans & Grants

New resource for information and technical assistance for small businesses: A new website created by the Washington State Small Business Recovery Working Group aims to simplify and supplement details provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and provide current information on available relief programs for Washington's small businesses and eligible non-profits, as well as the organizations that assist them. Funding for this resource was provided via a $250,000 grant from the state’s Department of Commerce.

The goal is to help as many Washington small businesses and non-profits as possible access the help they need. Information will be added and updated as new guidance is released and as new resources become available.

Visit the Events & Trainings page to learn about upcoming training opportunities, including an information session on Friday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. about SBA Round 2 COVID-19 relief funds and the Paycheck Protection Program.

2nd Draw Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The Small Business Association is now accepting applications for a Second Draw of PPP Loans. Applicants must work with participating Community Financial Institutions (CFIs). Borrowers can be matched with qualified PPP lenders using SBA Lender Match. This new round of PPP forgiveable loans is both for businesses that received a PPP in 2020 as well as for those who have not taken one before. The window to apply for the Second Draw PPP Loans is January 13, 2021 - March 31, 2021.

For help understanding the process and whether you qualify, contact the Startup 425 Business Response Team.

Find detailed information on PPP Loans and Eligibility here.

Click to download the Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Borrower Application Form 

Click to download the Paycheck Protection Program First Draw Borrower Application Form

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program was included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will soon have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program. In total, the Economic Aid Act allocates $15 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants. Learn more about this SBA grant opportunity here.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide economic relief to small businesses and  nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Learn more about these SBA loans here.

Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID emergency. The legislation takes effect immediately.

The bill provides: 

$714 million in assistance for K-12 schools.

$618 million for public health’s response to COVID, including testing, investigation and contact tracing; and funding for vaccination efforts.

$365 million for emergency eviction, rental and utility assistance.

$240 million for business assistance grants.

$50 million for child care.

$26 million for food banks and other food programs .

$91 million for income assistance, including $65 million for relief for the state’s immigrant population.

Read the full bill here. The business assistance grants will be administered by the state Department of Commerce. Commerce is working on the application portal and expects it to open late March. Information will be posted at commerce.wa.gov/bizgrants. 

Archived

The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund was created by Google, the City of Kirkland, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and Banner Bank’s Kirkland branch to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The second round of grants closed in August. For more information, including application details and information on contributing to the fund, please visit the Chamber’s website.

Seattle Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund, which will initially assist nonprofit organizations that work with communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its consequences. Please note that this fund will not initially assist nonprofits that have lost revenue, though this may be considered in the future.

Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19. These grants will include both cash grants and ad credits.

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 business support from the federal CARES Act. The application process is open through 5 p.m., Monday, September 28. For more information about the grants, including eligibility requirements, visit the King County Associate Development Organization website. 

Other Resources

King County's Hazardous Waste Management Program offers a Voucher Incentive Program for eligible businesses to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazardous waste improvements like safe storage for cleaning products and other chemicals. 75 percent of expenses can be reimbursed, up to $599. Expert staff can recommend improvements that will help keep staff and customers safe.

Hello Alice:  Hello Alice offers business support resources to assist small businesses to reopen and/or refuel their enterprises during and after the global pandemic. Hello Alice helps business owners navigate their new normal with access to funding, e-learning techniques and mentorship.

Resources for Black Owned Businesses
Resources for Hispanic Owned Businesses
Resources for Veteran Owned Businesses

Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises (MWBE): Small business assistance https://omwbe.wa.gov/small-business-guide/Grow

Free money and services for MWBEs  https://omwbe.wa.gov/resources-small-businesses/money-loans/free-money-services

Technical Assistance Organizations for Businesses in Underserved Communities https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/technical-assistance-from-trusted-community-messengers/

Comcast Rise: Comcast Rise is a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media and technology services to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses. Comcast Rise is accepting applications from eligible small businesses that are BIPOC-owned. Selected businesses could receive one or more of the following business services through Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast, and Comcast Business, a leading provider of technology for businesses: Advertising and Marketing Consulting; Media; Creative Production; Technology Makeover; Monetary Grants (coming in 2021). Apply Here

Culturally & Linguistically relevant assistance for businesses: WA State Department of Commerce  https://www.commerce.wa.gov/serving-communities/technical-assistance-from-trusted-community-messengers/.

Nonprofit resources from 501 Commons: COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits

New resource for information and technical assistance for small businesses: A new website created by the Washington State Small Business Recovery Working Group aims to simplify and supplement details provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and provide current information on available relief programs for Washington's small businesses and eligible non-profits, as well as the organizations that assist them. Funding for this resource was provided via a $250,000 grant from the state’s Department of Commerce.

The goal is to help as many Washington small businesses and non-profits as possible access the help they need. Information will be added and updated as new guidance is released and as new resources become available.

Visit the Events & Trainings page to learn about upcoming training opportunities. 

(re)STARTUP425’s Business Response Team can provide free technical advising to assist in accessing financial options (like grants and SBA loans), becoming loan-ready, and retaining employees. They’ve partnered with Business Impact NW, a community-development financial institution and nonprofit, to bring Eastside businesses one-on-one advising from local experts in small business resilience.

Communities Rise: Communities Rise has launched a virtual COVID-19 Legal Clinic to assist small businesses and nonprofits in Washington state with COVID-19-related business legal issues. They have set up a new streamlined online platform to match clients and volunteer attorneys with minimal processing time.

Washington State Employment Security Department: COVID-19 Assistance

Guidance and Resources for COVID-19 Topics Related to Labor & Industries (L&I)

Help for businesses wanting to keep employee health coverage: The State Office of the Insurance Commissioner has let all health insurers know they have flexibility in defining who is eligible for coverage under the employer-sponsored health plan. If an employer would like to try to keep their employees covered or have other questions, they should reach out directly to their health insurer. Visit the Coronavirus and Health Insurance webpage for more information.

LEASES

The City Council created a moratorium on small business and nonprofit organization evictions(PDF, 746KB)  in Kirkland due to nonpayment of rent or the expiration of leases during the COVID-19 proclamation of emergency or 60 days after the directive (dated March 31, 2020), whichever happens sooner. The moratorium can be extended beyond 60 days with ratification of the City Council. On June 16, the Council passed Resolution R-5432(PDF, 746KB), which extends the moratorium 60 days from June 10, 2020, or until the end of the emergency proclamation, whichever happens sooner. 

Communities Rise have published a Lease Amendment Toolkit to assist small businesses and nonprofits in negotiating their commercial leases. 

UTILITIES

• The City of Kirkland is suspending all late fees, tag fees, and water shut offs until 30 days after rescission of Governor’s Executive Order. Although utility charges are not being discounted or waived, deferral of your utility bill allows you to delay payment of current charges.
• Puget Sound Energy is not disconnecting utility service for non-payment at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving late fees for non-payment. It will work with customers on options like payment plans and bill extensions.
• Comcast Xfinity is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact Comcast.
• CenturyLink is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact CenturyLink.
• T-Mobile is not disconnecting small business customers due to inability to pay at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving any late fees that small business customers incur due to the COVID-19 situation. Eligible customers can find more information from T-Mobile.

TAXES

• State Department of Revenue is offering filing extensions and penalty waivers for state-level B&O taxes. Eligible businesses can get more information and apply.
• The federal Internal Revenue Service extended the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, regardless of the amount owed. Individual taxpayers unable to meet the July 15 due date were able to request an automatic extension of time to file until October 15.The IRS can provide additional information.

CARES ACT INFORMATION

• Summary of the CARES Act(PDF, 242KB) from the Committee on Small Business.
• How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds from the CARES Act 

WASHINGTON STATE

• King County is currently in Phase 2 of Washington's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Please visit the Public Health - Seattle & King County webpage for more information on Phase 2. 
• COVID-19 Resource List for Impacted Washington Businesses and Workers

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• The Paycheck Protection Program closed its application process on August 8, 2020.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to Washington small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.  Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Applicant eligibility form for SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
• SBA Seattle District Office List of Participating Lenders