COVID-19 Weekly Update: June 23, 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 the 16th update in a 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* On Friday June 19th, King County entered Phase 2 of Washington's Safe Start plan. Limited social gatherings may be held with five or fewer people outside your household. Restaurants, retailers and other businesses can serve customers. Most businesses will be required to operate at reduced capacity and hours, and all will be required to follow state guidelines designed to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers. These call for social distancing, regular hand washing and, with few exceptions, wearing cloth masks. Counties must remain in each stage of the four-phased "Safe Start" process for at least three weeks, until health authorities can measure their progress towards eliminating the virus. Learn more here.

More than 15 additional free COVID-19 testing sites are now open in Seattle and other local cities. Public Health – Seattle & King County is urging anyone with even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms or who has been in close contact with someone ill with COVID-19 to get tested right away. All of the free sites are available through the Public Health testing website.

Reopening Resources

Public Health — Seattle & King County has created free downloadable posters that businesses can print and post to help communicate to their customers and staff the steps they are taking to minimize the risk of COVID-19. Click here to download.

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* 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

*NEW* On June 5, 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPP Flexibility Act) was signed into law to provide businesses with greater flexibility and more time to maximize forgiveness of loans received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP Flexibility Act extends the 8-week “forgiveness period” to 24 weeks, but no later than December 31, 2020. Learn more here.

501 Commons is offering PPP application assistance to nonprofits. If your bank does not respond, can't confirm your status or cannot assure you access, 501 Commons can provide application assistance and may be able to place you with a lender. For application assistance, email [email protected].

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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* Stoel Rives LLP has launched the Main Street Relief Project, a no-cost legal service for independent restaurants, bars, and retail establishments in the communities where the firm has offices. Visit here to learn more and apply for assistance.

*NEW* The Office of Economic Development (OED) and & SPL are hosting a workshop titled; "How to Create a Basic Online Presence for Your Small Business" on Wednesday, June 24, from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Learn how to establish your basic online presence, including claiming your Yelp page and Google business listing + using relevant social media channels. Particularly critical skills during the COVID-19 reentry. Register here.

OED Resource Hub: 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 our philanthropic partners can be found on the OED's weekly Bottom Line blog.

OED is hosting bi-weekly informational webinars for small businesses to share new developments, hear about impacts experienced due to COVID-19 and answer questions. Businesses can join the OED every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register here for the next webinar and visit here for this week’s recording.

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 is hosting a virtual information session on Friday, July 17th from 1:30-2:30p 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. RSVP here to attend (note, a Zoom link will be provided on Thursday, June 16thth 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.

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

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.

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