Bi-weekly Resource Roundup: January 20th, 2021 |
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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
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*NEW* 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.
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*NEW* 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.
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*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:
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*NEW* The SBA recently announced a new $15 billion grant program which will provide aid to live venue operators and related businesses. This program, often referred to as Save Our Stages Grants, offers a critical lifeline from the Federal government for the nation’s performing arts venues, movie theatres and museums. To be eligible to receive a SOS Grant, an entity or an individual must be: a live venue operator or promoter, theatrical producer or live performing arts organization operator, a talent representative, a movie theatre, or a “relevant” museum. There are specific requirements for whether an individual or entity fits within one of these categories. The total amount of SOS Grants that any individual applicant may receive is capped at $10 million. Note, individuals or entities are ineligible to for a Save Our Stages grant if it received a PPP loan after December 27, 2020. The Save our Stages grant application has not yet been released by the SBA.
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*NEW* Governor Jay Inslee recently announced a the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan which lays out the process to safely reopen Washington state. As part of the new plan, which took effect on January 11, the state moved to a two-phase system in accordance with regional case counts in eight healthcare regions, with every region beginning in Phase 1. A region’s phase will be determined by the Department of Health (DOH) in response to four metric requirements. Each region will have to meet all four metrics to move forward from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and at this time no regions qualify for Phase 2. The metrics will be monitored weekly with changes taking effect the following Monday.
Retail remains at 25% indoor capacity statewide with no changes to requirements and indoor dining is prohibited. Outdoor or open-air dining is limited to a maximum of 6 per table with a limit of 2 households per table. This new plan will also allow for limited live entertainment and fitness center activities. The phased reopening for each region will be determined by the following four healthcare metrics:
- 10% decrease in infections for 14 days
- 10% decrease in hospitalization rates
- ICU capacity below 90% (including COVID and non-COVID patients)
- Infection positivity rate after testing below 10%
The full Healthy Washington phased chart is available here.
Worker and Business Resources
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*NEW* In an effort to provide as much clarity and insight as possible, ICIC in collaboration with Small Business Majority, will host a webinar on Thursday, January 21 from 4-5pm ET to learn more about the rollout of PPP and business' eligibility to apply. Joining the webinar is LaShanya Washington, VP, Credit Risk Manager with City First Bank and Karen Kelleher, Executive Director of LISC Boston and a leader with the MA Equitable PPP Access Initiative. Register now to attend this webinar designed to help you navigate the complexities of the new PPP program!
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*NEW* 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.
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In late December 2020, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an order officially extending a moratorium on evictions for residents, small businesses, and nonprofits through March 31, 2021 (it was due to expire at the end of 2020). The mandate also extends a couple of other pandemic-related measures that could impact restaurants and bars: allowing temporary loading zones for pick-ups and the suspension of 72-hour parking rules enforcement until further notice.
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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.
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The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive webpage for small business owners to research their options.
Reopening Resources
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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
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*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.
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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
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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. |
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Sincerely,
The Alliance Team
ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE
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