COVID-19 Bi-weekly Update: December 8th, 2020

Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is working diligently to support the Pioneer Square community through the COVID-19 virus outbreak. This is part of a series of weekly messages outlining impacts and resources available. Find each weekly email to date on our website.

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

What's Happening

*NEW* Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional economic supports for workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the state’s current restrictions which will now be in place until January 4, 2021. The three-week extension of statewide restrictions come as the state’s healthcare system nears dangerous occupancy levels.

Inslee was joined by Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown who announced an additional $50 million, doubling the number of Washington small businesses that will receive aid. Industries recently shut down, such as restaurants and fitness centers, as well as businesses that have been devastatingly impacted throughout the pandemic, like music and event venues, have been prioritized. Learn more about the governor's announcement and Working Washington Small Business grants here

*NEW* The Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) has issued a permanent Director's Rule reinforcing public health measures that have been in effect since mid-July, requiring businesses to follow state-mandated requirements, including use of protective face coverings, social distancing and adhering to capacity limits. Resources for Business Regarding the Rule have been updated since Gov. Inslee's announcement in mid-November.

COVID-19 Public Health Requirements for Businesses (English),

አማርኛ (Amharic),

简体中文 (Simplified Chinese),

국어 (Korean),

Soomaali (Somali),

Español (Spanish),

Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese).

Worker and Business Resources

*NEW* 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 2020 – 2021 workshops. Brought to you by funding from the Small Business Administration.

January 14 - Sales & Distribution Planning

February 4 - Marketing & Branding Planning

February 24 - Operations & Organization Planning

March 18 - Sources & Uses of Capital Finance Planning

April 15 - Food Safety & GFSI Planning

Click here to learn more and register.

King County is providing reopening business tools for Phase 2 guidance and requirements. The new tools include a safe work plan template, owners guide to reopening and reopening checklist. Businesses can access these resources below:
King County Safe Start: Businesses and Workplaces
City of Seattle: COVID-19 Reopening Business

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 Association of Washington Businesses has created a hub where businesses can get access to PPE and other resources to assist with reopening. The site is free to use and available to all Washington businesses.

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.

Financial Resources

*NEW* In November, Gov. Jay Inslee announced an additional $70 million in business support grants. Included in the $70 million in business support grants is $50 million for Round 3 of the Working Washington Small Business grants focused on the hardest-hit industries. Remaining funds will go toward historically disadvantaged businesses who applied for business grants in earlier rounds of the resiliency grant program. Find more information and apply here.

Neighborhood Advocacy

*NEW* The holidays are once again upon us and the Alliance for Pioneer Square has put together lots of ways to help shoppers, residents and visitors celebrate the season locally. Plug into Pioneer Square's 2020 Holiday Programming and engage in a series of in-person/online promotional activities to help entice the community to support Pioneer Square and to help boost your business' performance this holiday season. Learn more here

The Alliance for Pioneer Square held its 9th Pioneer Square Monthly session on Friday November 20th where we presented on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer Square, relief and resources available from the City, State and Federal government to all those impacted by the crisis, and the Alliance’s response to support our neighborhood. The information session presentation slides and recording are now available 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].

As the neighborhood continues to navigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, we want to offer an opportunity to reconnect. Click here to join the Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page.

Partner Efforts

The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has launched the new Shop Your Block campaign that aims to support small businesses throughout the holiday season. Shop Your Block connects consumers to local small retail businesses throughout Seattle using the new retail map and online neighborhood marketplaces. You can access the campaign website, retail map, neighborhood marketplaces and shoppers guides here. Businesses can sign on to the map and/or edit their information here. For assistance, reach out to OED at [email protected].

How to Leave a Customer Review Workshop Hosted by Merchant Method: Did you know that 97% of people read reviews of local businesses? And that 90% of buyers read reviews online to help them make a decision about a purchase? Customer reviews play a huge part in helping to promote your favorite businesses. So how can you take advantage of Small Business Saturday, and make an impact buying small and supporting local? During How to Leave a Customer Review, customers will learn a simple structure of an effective customer review, choose and customize from 3 review templates, and take action by posting at least one customer review online. We invite you to share this 30 minute, live Small Business Saturday event with your customers to help them promote your business and their other favorites. Learn more here.

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is proud to champion the "Do Something" campaign, a joint effort by Visit Seattle and the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. The campaign, running from October 2020 to January 2021, encourages locals and neighboring drive markets to explore and support businesses throughout King County and to do something nearby. Businesses may download the the following digital marketing toolkit to help promote the DO SOMETHING messaging on their social media platforms.

Additional Resources

Between weekly messages please review our website, which features an in-depth series of resources intended to assist small business owners, managers, and employees impacted by the COVID-19 virus crisis, along with public health recommendations.

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