COVID-19 Weekly Update: August 4th, 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 has released an additional guidance document following last week's announcement of guidance updates in Washington's Safe Start phased reopening plan. The memo outlines the updates to gatherings, live entertainment, restaurants and taverns, entertainment and recreational centers, card rooms, movie theaters, and weddings and funerals and builds upon guidance released last week. Inslee also extended the pause indefinitely on counties moving ahead in the Safe Start Washington plan. Read more here.

  • The city is now offering temporary free street closure permits for restaurants and businesses seeking to expand outdoor options. This adds to the city’s free permits for curb spacing and sidewalk cafes. Currently, the permits are available for up to six months, and Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is expediting permit review. For more information about the new permits types or to schedule an applicant coaching session, click here or e-mail publicspace@seattle.gov.

  • The Seattle City Council has passed a law that prevents landlords from seizing personal property should a small business of 50 or fewer employees (or a nonprofit) default on a commercial lease. The law, sponsored by Seattle council member Andrew Lewis, will be in effect throughout the current state of emergency and remain the following six months after to help in small business recovery efforts. Read more about the new legislation here.


Reopening Resources


  • *NEW* Chambers and business organizations around the region have come together in partnership with King County to provide Safe Start Kits. These kits provide cloth face coverings, disposable masks, and hand sanitizer to businesses in King County to help keep employees healthy and safe. To pick up or have your kit shipped (shipping fees apply), click here.

  • The City of Seattle is launching a series of Phase 2 reopening toolkits to help small businesses authorized to reopen under the Governor’s guidance to navigate public health requirements and financial considerations. The toolkits provide critical information for small business owners, including a reopening checklist, resources to access Personal Protective Equipment and financial assistance, testing information, and rent and commercial lease assistance. The City has toolkits for the following industries:Restaurants and taverns, Personal services, Professional services, In-store retail, Fitness and training, Domestic services. The toolkits are available on the City’s new reopening website.



  • 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

  • 4Culture's COVID-19 Reopen Fund application is now available. The Reopen Fund provides grants for cultural organizations and designated landmarks that are reopening, restarting, and continuing programming while adapting to COVID-19 related public health restrictions. The deadline to apply is August 17, 2020 at 5 pm PDT. Learn more and apply here.

  • On June 15 the SBA reopened the EIDL application for new applications from qualified businesses. Businesses that have not previously applied may now apply for the loan which can be used for debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact, and that are not already covered by a PPP loan. Read more and apply here.



  • SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Washington Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • OED provides technical assistance to businesses applying for SBA loans and understanding the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aids, Relief & Security). This includes helping businesses navigate the application process and documentation. For general inquiries, please email OED@seattle.gov or call 206-684-8090.
  • Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications here.
  • Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Note, the deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.
  • The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic development has compiled a summary of the CARES Act and a SBA FAQ.


Worker and Business Resources


  • *NEW* In partnership with Ventures, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GBSA) is launching a small business incubator to empower trans, gender diverse, and POC entrepreneurs and business owners. Through GSBA & Ventures' Small Business Incubator, entrepreneurs who identify as trans and/or gender-diverse, and/or as a person of color, will receive a free first-year GSBA Membership, a consultation with GSBA's VP of Membership & Programs, and access to Venture's eight-week long Business Basics Course.The application closes on Sunday, August 9 with courses beginning in September. Apply here.


  • A partnership of the University of Washington Foster School of Business and School of Law is offering a series of free legal consultations and negotiation training to help small businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, funded by the UW Population Health Initiative, will run through November. Learn more about this initiative here.

  • Facebook for Business, through Facebook BluePrint, provides resources to learn new marketing skills with free online courses. Explore self-paced and step-by-step tutorials that can help you build your digital marketing knowledge and bring your business online. Learn more here.

  • OED has created a comprehensive resource page for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and is providing technical assistance to support small businesses. News and information about new policies and resources available from the City of Seattle, the State of Washington, the federal government, and philanthropic partners can be found on the OED's weekly Bottom Line blog.

  • 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.


Neighborhood Advocacy

  • *NEW* The Alliance for Pioneer Square will host a virtual information session on Friday, August 21st from 1:30-2:30p where we will be presenting on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer Square, and the Alliance’s response to support our neighborhood. RSVP here to attend (note, a Zoom link will be provided on Thursday, August 20th to those who RSVP). Find previous meeting slides and webinar recordings here.

  • The Alliance for Pioneer Square, in collaboration with DEI Creative, has launched an online marketplace as a tool for member businesses to generate revenue through online sales during the Coronavirus pandemic. Read DEI Creative's full press release about Support Local here.To participate in the Pioneer Square Marketplace, register your business here.


Partner Efforts

  • Mayor Durkan has launched “Seattle Protects”, an online marketplace to connect local manufacturers and businesses with organizations, communities, and individuals in need of cloth face coverings. Seattle Protects seeks to help local organizations, businesses, and nonprofits struggling to find face coverings at the scale necessary to serve their workforce. Learn more here.

Neighborhood Spotlight

Since March this year, Fruitsuper has been donating $2 from each order placed to Seattle’s Low Income Housing Institute. The goal is to build one complete Tiny House, with a total cost of $2,500

These Tiny House villages ensure that people's experience with homelessness is as safe, dignified, and brief as possible. As of this month, Fruitsuper has managed to raise $1,020.
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