COVID-19 Weekly Update: October 20th, 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*



Worker and Business Resources

  • United Way of King County, in association with the City of Seattle and King County, is offering rental assistance for households who need help covering rent and with eviction prevention. Apply here.

  • The Seattle Good Business Network's "Seattle Restaurant week" runs from October 25 to November 21. The promotional event features over 165 restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest, giving diners a unique chance to support local establishments while sampling their menus at unbeatable prices. Business are encouraged to sign up here.

  • The Alliance for Pioneer Square has again partnered with Merchant Method to facilitate a series of free workshops with the goal of providing BIA businesses technical assistance. Throughout October and November, Merchant Method will host three workshops over four session on the a range of topics, including marketing and content creation, profitable pricing, and creative collaborations. The workshops will be held on the following dates and times:

  • The Infinite Content Model Workshop Part 1: Create Profitable Content Ideas For Your Business
Find presentation here, workshop materials here and audio recording here.

  • The Infinite Content Model Workshop Part 2: Create Profitable Content Ideas For Your Business
Find presentation here, workshop materials here.

  • Profitable Pricing For Inventory-Based Businesses: Learn To Think Critically About Your Prices
October 28th 1:30-3:00pm

  • Creative Collaborations For Small Businesses: A Guide To Creating Valuable Relationships,
November 9th 2:00-3:30pm
 

  • 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/Pioneer Square BIA is providing COVID-19 Retail Kits to Pioneer Square businesses, with funding from Historic South Downtown, in support of it's Pride and Resilience effort. The “Pioneer Square Welcome Back” kits are available to all street-level businesses. Distribution of the kits is nearly complete and will conclude this month. Find more information 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

  • *NEW* The Alliance for Pioneer Square is pleased to announce the PSQ Alley Lighting Matching Fund. With $50,000 in funding from Historic South Downtown, we aim to support alley lighting improvements in Pioneer Square. The PSQ Alley Lighting Matching Fund supports the Alliance’s initiative to address critical public safety concerns and make strides toward alley revitalization. Read more about the fund here. Applications are now open and will be accepted through November 6, 2020 at 11:59pm.

  • The Washington State Community Small Business Resiliency Grant is providing support to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Washington State Department of Commerce has developed a Community Small Business Resiliency Grant Program using $5 Million of Federal CARES Act Relief Funds. Grant funds can be used to cover working capital shortfalls due to COVID-19 hardship. Applications will be accepted between October 6, 2020 through 12 p.m. October 28, 2020. Visit here for more information and to apply.

  • SBA is accepting EIDL 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.

Neighborhood Advocacy

  • *NEW* The Alliance for Pioneer Square will host a virtual information session on Friday, November 20th 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, October 15th 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

  • *NEW* The SDOT Transportation Equity Workgroup survey is now live. The purpose of the survey is to create more equity within our transportation network by targeting the survey responses from specific underserved groups. See a list of target populations here. You do not need to live in Seattle to take the survey. As long as you live, play, work, worship or commute to Seattle for any reason, you can take the survey in English, Spanish, and Tagalog. The survey will remain live until November 7th. The first 60 people who complete this survey will receive a $25 VISA gift card. 

  • *NEW* SDOT has developed basic Winter Weather Equipment Guidelines for Street Closure Permit Holders that allow for some types of overhead weather protection to be installed without further review or permitting and a process for SDOT permit review of customized installations. For street closure permits, please note that tents, canopies, and other structures that are not easily moved may not be placed in the required 20’ fire lane. 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. To help SDOT better understand what businesses would like to do and refine these guidelines, please take this two-minute survey or reach each out to publicspace@seattle.gov before purchasing any equipment not included in the guidelines.
Neighborhood Spotlight


*NEW* The Pastry Project fall 2020 student applications are now live for the fall/winter 2020 cohort here. The application deadline is Friday October 23, 2020.

The Pastry Project provides 14 weeks of baking and pastry job skills training and job placement assistance to individuals in the community with barriers to education and employment in the industry.

Last year students referred from Boys & Girls Club, FamilyWorks Family Resource Center and Ingersoll Gender Center were placed in jobs at Hello Robin Cookies and PCC Community Markets.

The Pastry Project also provides transit stipends, uniforms, and of course, tons of delicious pastries for students to take home after class each week.
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