Bi-weekly Resource Roundup: February 3rd, 2021
Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is working diligently to keep the Pioneer Square community informed regarding new resources and opportunities available to them. This roundup is part of a series of weekly messages capturing new resources and opportunities. Find each weekly email to date on our website.

*Please see this roundup's new resources and opportunities highlighted in RED*

What's Happening

  • *NEW* Last week, Governor Inslee announced the Puget Sound region, including King County, will be moving to Phase 2 effective Monday, Feb. 1 per his updated Roadmap to Recovery. View the full announcement video here. This change allows for restaurants in King County to reopen indoor dining at 25% capacity through 11 p.m. Indoor fitness centers and live entertainment venues — including museums, bowling alleys and concert halls — can also reopen to 25% capacity. Bars that don’t serve food, however, must remain closed. In-store retail remains at 25% capacity for both Phases 1 & 2 with no clear steps announced for increased capacity. Click here for more on the announcement.

  • *NEW* On Monday, February 1st Governor Inslee released COVID-19 requirement guidance for weddings, funerals, and events. The requirements apply to all wedding services, funerals (religious or non-religious), and events (public or private), wherever they are held indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to: those held at all privately owned property, business establishments, non-profit establishments, establishments owned by religious or faith-based organizations and publicly owned property (such as parks, beaches, or venues). View the detailed requirements here.

  • *NEW* The City of Seattle passed a Commuter Benefits Ordinance, which became effective on January 1, 2020.Businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to offer their employees the opportunity to make a monthly pre-tax payroll deduction for transit or vanpool expenses. The ordinance encourages commuters to use transit options other than single occupancy vehicles, thus reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Because the deduction is pre-tax, the law has the added benefit of lowering the tax bills for both workers and businesses. The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) enforcement begins January 1, 2021. Find the full details of the ordinance here.

  • *NEW* 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 (bars, restaurants, hotels, and motels) impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. 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. To meet income qualifications, households must make 60% or less of area median income (AMI) as follows:
Apply here. Applications due 2/15 at 11:59PM

Worker and Business Resources

  • *NEW* The SBA Seattle District Office will host a series of informational PPP webinars, each Wednesday in the month of February. The programs will focus on pandemic relief options for small businesses and the majority of the time will be dedicated to answering participant questions. The webinars are free and available to small business owners looking for more information about the Paycheck Protection Program. Below are the dates and times of the weekly February webinars:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 10 | 2 - 3 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, Feb. 17 | 10 - 11 a.m. 
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24 | 2 - 3 p.m. 


  • *NEW* The Seattle Metro Chamber #WeGotThisWA Series will host a webinar on Thursday, February 4th from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM to discuss PPP Updates. The COVID-19 relief bill that passed in December 2020 included additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and made some changes to the forgiveness process. If you previously applied for a PPP loan and plan to apply again, join the Seattle Metro Chamber to hear more details and get your questions answered. Register here.


  • *NEW* Over the past five plus years, online reviews have become essential for consumers. It helps them decide which products or services to buy, where to travel, and even where to eat. With the pandemic still surging, many businesses moved operations online or changed them completely. Adjusting hasn’t been easy, for business owners or consumers, but thankfully, Google and Yelp Reviews updated their guidelines to protect small, local businesses from reputational harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even with those protections in place, now is the perfect time to consider improving your reputation and thinking long-term. Here are five reasons why managing your reviews is more important than ever from the Washington Retail Association.

  • *NEW* This year, Business Impact NW has partnered with the Seattle Good Business Network and Sustainable Connections to host Food Biz Week, a free opportunity for food and farm businesses at all levels of food production and food retail in the Pacific Northwest to learn from industry experts and fellow experienced colleagues through a curated week of virtual panels, presentations, and networking activities. The event will be all virtual and free so food and farm entrepreneurs are invited to attend from anywhere in the region. Register here.

  • SBA is currently accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications from all qualified small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and private nonprofit organizations. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This is a 30 year loan at 3.75% interest for businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits with no repayment penalty or fees. The loan amount is generally determined by 6 months of losses and may be utilized for capital and normal operating expenses. Visit the SBA website to apply and learn more.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury issued guidance in early January for the reconstituted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The new PPP has $284.5 billion available, including $35 billion for first-time loans and is available to businesses that have previously received a loan. Borrowers are eligible for a second-draw PPP loan of up to $2 million. Second time borrowers must:
  • have less than 300 employees,
  • demonstrate a 25% or more loss in revenue from 2019 to 2020,
  • have spent first PPP loan on eligible expenses
The new round of PPP will remain open through March 31. Apply here.

  • The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is now offering streamlined, free temporary permits for outdoor cafes, retail merchandise displays, food trucks, and vending carts that are valid through October 31, 2021. SDOT is also offering temporary street closures to support restaurants and retail operations. They have also published winter weather guidance that contain details on permissible shelters and furniture that may be used without additional SDOT review. Please be aware that the Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and Seattle Department of Neighborhood Historic/Landmark approvals may still be required, and that those agencies may have additional rules that affect your proposal. Visit the SDOT website to learn more and apply.

  • The Food Finance Institute's Scaler Series offers businesses the flexibility to learn how to successfully grow their businesses, one workshop at a time. It’s a series of 6 workshops, normally, each series workshop is $50, however, the Scaler Series enrollment is free for the 2021 workshops. Brought to you by funding from the Small Business Administration. Click here to learn more and register.
  • February 4 - Marketing & Branding Planning 
  • February 24 - Operations & Organization Planning 
  • March 18 - Sources & Uses of Capital Finance Planning 
  • April 15 - Food Safety & GFSI Planning .

  • The Office of the Mayor has created a page containing information and links for City of Seattle programs and services that may be helpful for residents significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive webpage for small business owners to research their options.

Reopening Resources



  • The Alliance for Pioneer Square has introduced a section on our website to help provide businesses guidance and resources for best practices as they prepare to reopen their doors to customers.

Neighborhood Advocacy

  • *NEW* Join the Alliance for Pioneer Square at a virtual information session on Friday, February 19th from 1:30 to 2:30 where we will be presenting on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer Square, relief and resources available to those impacted by the crisis, and the Alliance’s response to support our neighborhood. Joining us is Commissioner President Peter Steinbrueck from the Port of Seattle. RSVP here. Find the January 15th 2020 meeting slides here and the webinar recording here.

  • The Pioneer Square Residents’ Council seeks to partner with neighborhood cafes, restaurants, and bars to encourage residents to eat and drink at Pioneer Square businesses as part of a Neighborhood Loyalty Program. The Pioneer Square Residents’ Council has proposed working with neighborhood businesses to offer discounts, such as 10% off, for residents when they mention what building they live in when purchasing goods. If your business is interested in partnering with the Pioneer Square Residents’ Council on the Neighborhood Loyalty Program, email Chris Woodward at [email protected].

Partner Efforts
Neighborhood Spotlight
Rudy’s Color Bar on 1st and Yesler is offering businesses in Pioneer Square a neighborhood discount, on services and products, for all their employees. This is not a limited time discount, but a non-expiring neighborhood business discount on any cut, style or color. The discount may also be applied on products purchased instore.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Rudy’s Operations Manager Jon Gustafson
Additional Resources


Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Sincerely,

The Alliance Team

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE