COVID-19 Weekly Update: October 6th, 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* Last week, Mayor Durkan made public her official 2021 proposed budget. Over the next two months, City Council will consider the proposal and make changes to it based on priorities. Heading into budget season District 7 Council Member Andrew Lewis would like to know what issues are top of mind for constituents in our district. Please share your budget priorities with Councilmember Lewis by taking the Budget Priorities Survey.
 

  • *NEW* The Office of Economic Development (OED) will invest an additional $5.2 million to stabilize small businesses impacted by COVID-19 through the 2020 Small Business Stabilization Fund. The Small Business Stabilization Fund (SBSF) provides $10,000 grants to small businesses throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. This fund prioritizes businesses located in areas of the city that are at risk of high-displacement, micro-enterprise businesses, creative sector businesses, and businesses that have experienced the greatest economic impacts. OED will provide 67 percent of grants to businesses with five or fewer employees that are located in high-displacement risk areas. The Small Business Stabilization Fund Application will be open from October 12 to November 1, 2020. Apply here.


Worker and Business Resources

  • *NEW* The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 16th annual All-Chamber After Hours 2020 virtually on October 15, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Hang out with local professionals and business organizations and hear about what these groups are doing in the community and learn how you can get involved. Find more information and register here.

  • *NEW* 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 and workshop materials here.

  • The Infinite Content Model Workshop Part 2: Create Profitable Content Ideas For Your Business
October 19th 2:00-4:00 pm

  • 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 Downtown Seattle Association is conducting a series of economic outlook/recovery surveys and asking business leaders and decision-makers to participate. We invite Pioneer Square business owners to participate in the Downtown Seattle Association’s Economic Outlook Survey. Information gathered in this survey will help inform our collective understanding of the impact of the coronavirus on different Seattle industries and perspectives on re-opening. Those who enter their contact information will be entered to win a $150 gift certificate to Aerlume-Seattle near Pike Place Market.


  • 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* In an effort to support and uplift minority owned businesses within King County, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle is offering the Black Business Prosperity (BBP) Grant to provide direct cash assistance to black or minority owned small businesses who who have been financially distressed due to COVID-19 related circumstances. Visit here to apply. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm PST on Monday, October 12th, 2020.

  • *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.

  • 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, October 16th 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. Joining us are guests from Union Gospel Mission and Waterfront Seattle. 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.

Neighborhood Spotlight

Fruitsuper is auctioning off the original linocut prints from their current VOTE mural.

100% percent of the auction proceeds will go directly toward ACLU Washington. All prints start at $15.

Visit here to bid. Bidding ends at midnight (PST) Thursday 10/8/2020. Highest bid for each print wins!
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