Resource Roundup: March 31st, 2021 |
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Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-
The Alliance for Pioneer Square team is working diligently to keep the Pioneer Square community informed regarding new resources and opportunities available to them. This roundup is part of a series of weekly messages capturing new resources and opportunities. Find each weekly email to date on our website.
*Please see this roundup's new resources and opportunities highlighted in RED*
What's Happening
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*NEW* The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. This means:
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note.
- All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.
Existing SBA disaster loans approved prior to 2020 in regular servicing status as of March 1, 2020, received an automatic deferment of principal and interest payments through December 31, 2020. This initial deferment period was subsequently extended through March 31, 2021. An additional 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments will be automatically granted to these borrowers.
Borrowers will resume their regular payment schedule with the payment immediately preceding March 31, 2022, unless the borrower voluntarily continues to make payments while on deferment. It is important to note that the interest will continue to accrue on the outstanding balance of the loan throughout the duration of the deferment. Find more information on the announcement here.
Priorities for funding are:
- Businesses required to close.
- Businesses with lost revenue as a result of closure.
- Businesses with added expenses to maintain safe operations.
- Equitable distribution of grant funds across the state and to businesses owned and operated by historically disadvantaged individuals.
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*NEW* On March 31, Washington will move into Phase 1B Tiers 3 and 4 of the vaccine rollout making vaccine appointments open to
- People 16 years or older with 2 or more co-morbidities or underlying conditions
- All people 60 years and older
- People, staff, and volunteers in certain congregate living settings: correctional facilities; group homes for people with disabilities; settings where people experiencing homelessness live or access services
- High-risk critical workers* in certain congregate settings: agriculture, fishing vessel crews, food processing, grocery store/food bank, corrections (prisons, jails, detention centers), court of law, public transit, remaining first responders, restaurants, food services, construction, and manufacturing
- People 16 years or older who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness
- All people 50 and older who live in a multigenerational household
- All workers in health care settings
- Educators and school staff for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and child care workers
- People who live or work in long-term care facilities
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Worker and Business Resources
SVOG supports live event venues, promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, or talent agencies who were economically impacted by COVID-19. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
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*NEW* Has your business experienced financial loss and hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Applications are open for the Greater Seattle Business Association(GSBA) and Comcast Washington Ready for Business Fund - a $2,500 cash grant awarded to small businesses in Washington state. Priority will be given to small businesses within the communities most impacted by COVID-19, including LGBTQ-, BIPOC-, and women-owned businesses, as well as businesses located in rural areas.
Additionally, awardees will receive wrap-around support services including GSBA membership, technical support, marketing, and consulting. This grant does not have to be repaid, and it can be used for any purpose to help the business recover from the economic crisis. The grant is open to any small business in Washington State established prior to March 2, 2020. Applications will close on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 4:00 PM (PST). Apply here.
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*NEW* Do you and your family need financial support to successfully isolate or quarantine? Anyone living in King County who tests positive or is exposed to COVID-19 may be eligible to receive a one-time household bill payment of up to $1,500 to help pay their current rent, mortgage, utility, water, phone and internet bills. The Household Assistance Request program is funded by the Department of Health and will continue for as long as funds are available. No application is necessary. Those with a recent positive COVID-19 test or who are identified as a close contact of a positive case will receive a call or text from a King County contact tracer within five days. This will start the enrollment process to determine eligibility. Visit the King County website to learn more.
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Following the announcement of $23 million of new rental assistance and the prospect of new rental assistance that will be available to Seattle and King County through the American Rescue Plan, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has announced the extension of COVID-19 relief measures, including the moratoriums on residential, nonprofit, and small business evictions in the City of Seattle through June 30, 2021. Currently, the state legislature is also considering statewide eviction protection legislation. Other COVID-19 relief measures include continuation of Utility Discount Program’s Self Certification Pilot Program is extended until June 30, 2021, which can lower Seattle City Light bills by 60 percent and Seattle Public Utility bills by 50 percent.
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The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC), Ventures, Business Impact NW and Tabor 100 are hosting a Building Financial Strength in Your Business webinar on April 6, from 2:00 to 3:30PM. Featuring Jenefeness Tucker, Certified Business Advisor at WSBDC, Ollie Garrett, President of Tabor 100, Maurisa Phillips, Loan Readiness Officer at Business Impact NW and Beto Yarce, Executive Director of Ventures, you’ll learn about business tools, resources and financial opportunities that strengthen BIPOC-owned businesses in Washington State. Register here.
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Commute Seattle will host a webinar April 8, 2021 at 2pm, on navigating Seattle’s recently announced Commuter Benefits Ordinance. In this short webinar, Nick Abel, Senior Transportation Specialist at Commute Seattle, will provide a brief overview of the City of Seattle's Commuter Benefits Ordinance and share easy and low-cost ways to comply. There will time at the end for attendees to ask any questions they have about the ordinance or how it affects their business. Register here to attend.
Reopening Resources
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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.
Neighborhood Advocacy
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*NEW* Join the Alliance for Pioneer Square at a virtual information session on Friday, April 16th from 1:30 to 2:30 where we will be presenting on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Pioneer Square, relief and resources available to those impacted by the crisis, and the Alliance’s response to support our neighborhood. RSVP here. Find previous meeting slides and webinar recordings here.
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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].
Partner Efforts
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Seattle Restaurant Week is back this spring (April 1-30) and is continuing to support Seattle restaurants with a month-long promotion, giving diners a unique chance to support local establishments while sampling their menus. Seattle Restaurant Week is also presenting another FREE promotion that offers greater flexibility for each restaurant, and highlights a variety of dining experiences available that include takeout, outdoor dining, delivery, ready-to-heat, and more. Read here for more details and how to participate.
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Altstadt at 209 1st Avenue South is back open for service on April 1st.
Altstadt is a bierhalle & brathaus specializing in northwest inspired German and Sudetenland fare, reinvented classics such as bratwurst & pretzels, unique beers and liquors served in a lively beer hall.
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The Pioneer Square location will be open during these hours:
- Mondays to Thursdays 3-8pm,
- Fridays 3-9pm,
- Saturdays 12-9pm,
- and Sundays 12-8pm.
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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.
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Sincerely,
The Alliance Team
ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE
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