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

• *NEW* In anticipation of extreme cold weather this week, the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) plans to activate Tier 2 and possibly Tier 3 Severe Weather Response protocols, from Sunday November 6th through Friday November 11th. Outreach workers and service providers may request emergency funding from KCRHA for harm reduction supplies, such as warm clothing, wool or synthetic socks and gloves, sleeping bags, blankets, handwarmers, and food.

KCRHA are also expanding hours at Compass Day Center across from the Ferry Terminal, and expect to stay open overnight on Tuesday through Thursday as daily lows are expected to remain very cold. If needed, KCRHA are prepared to expand both day center and overnight capacity. They will continue to monitor the weather as well as usage of the extra capacity and will adjust as needed. Visit here for extra capacity day centers, overnight shelters and regularly operating daytime warming centers for all adults/youth.

• *NEW* On October 31st 2022, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the end of the Civil Emergency Proclamation, aligning with Governor Inslee’s decision to end the statewide state of emergency. As the COVID-19 State of Emergency comes to a close, the temporary commercial rent protections for small businesses and non-profit organizations established during the Civil Emergency ended on November 1st 2022. 

There is still, however, a 6 month grace period until April 30th 2023 where these protections will be maintained–giving businesses and nonprofits time to seek legal consultation and other supports. The Office of Economic Development is partnering with Communities Rise, to support business owners and nonprofits who may be impacted, through one-on-one legal consultation services and other resources to address their commercial lease needs. For more information on the ending of the civil emergency and the commercial legal supports available to small businesses and nonprofits, visit here.

• Starting Monday, October 24th, rate adjustments to Seattle’s on-street paid parking will take effect at locations throughout the city. This seasonal adjustment is part of SDOT's regular process to help ensure enough parking spots are available, based on the latest real-world parking usage data and seasonal trends. SDOT typically makes these parking rate updates three times per year, in the spring, summer, and fall. Pioneer Square's updated on-street parking rates will range from $1-$3 depending on location and time. Evening parking will remain free for now. Learn more here.

Worker and Business Resources

• *NEW* Mark your calendars, Small Business Saturday is November 26th 2022! This annual holiday shopping tradition helps back a diverse range of local businesses to create jobs, boost the economy, and enhance local neighborhoods. AmEx Shop Small Studio is an online resource that small business owners can use to create and download a suite of complimentary custom marketing materials – in just two minutes or less. From a variety of engaging social media posts to fun posters, use these free materials to encourage your community to support local businesses this holiday season. Download ready-to-use marketing materials here.       

Neighborhood Businesses are also invited to sign up for the Small Business Saturday Coalition to encourage our communities to support small businesses during the holidays and beyond. Sign up here.

• *NEW* Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Small Business Flex Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access the financial support they need to thrive. Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 to spend flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses.

The Flex Fund has already provided low-interest loans to nearly 700 small businesses and nonprofits. With just over $57 million in loans distributed to date, there is still almost $45 million in loans available for eligible small businesses and nonprofits. The deadline to apply for the Fund has now been extended through March 2023! If qualified, business owners will be matched with a community lender, who will assist the business owner throughout the application process and, if needed, connect them to additional advisory support. Learn more and apply here.

• *NEW* The Community Connect Grant supports underrepresented local organizations with a total of $300,000 in marketing and advertising services. Qualifying organizations will be awarded a grant in Seattle Times advertising, including print or digital advertising, plus research and marketing consultation at no cost. Businesses and nonprofits of various sizes are invited to apply. Apply by November 30th here.

• The Digital Sales Access Program is back. This partnership between the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED), Comcast, Kay Tita, Square and Quickbooks aims to remove digital access barriers that negatively impact small businesses. Originally launched in 2021, the Digital Sales Access Program will provide a free point of sale (POS) system that allows small businesses — particularly those operating as “cash-only” — to expand their operations to accept debit, credit and other digital forms of payment.

Applications for the Digital Sales Access Program will be accepted until November 18th, 2022.To learn more on the program’s services, eligibility requirements and apply, go to kaytita.org/dsap/program. 

• Beginning March 1, 2023, an updated version of the Washington State Food Code will be implemented. Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Food Protection Program has created a new Food Code updates webpage that covers what to expect and includes a series of factsheets to clearly explain the changes. Updates to the food code include date marking, vomit and diarrhea cleanup plans, employee health (informing the person in charge) and more.

• The Alliance is sharing information regarding foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district this upcoming holiday season. To better inform business operations on game and event days, follow this link to the Lumen Field and Event Center, WAMU Theater and T-Mobile Park event calendar for November, December and January.

Partner Efforts

• In partnership with Commute Seattle, the Mobility Innovation Center at the University of Washington launched the Seattle Commute Survey. This statewide survey gathers information about how over 500,000 employees in Washington State commute to work. Commuting information gathered by this survey is important to state and local governments in deciding how to invest tax dollars in transportation. Commute Seattle will also use this information to determine possible adjustments to commuter benefits package. Complete the survey online by Friday, November 18th. Survey respondents will be eligible for a drawing to receive $100 gift cards to locally owned Seattle businesses.

Questions? The Seattle Commute Survey Webpage has more information. Want to find an easy, affordable and climate friendly way to get to work? Visit Commuteseattle.com. 

• Seattle Good Business Network is excited to have support from a Seattle Public Utilities Waste Free Communities Grant to help identify needs and develop services to support businesses in becoming more circular (keeping materials out of the landfill and putting towards regenerative use). They'd love your input! 

What does your business need to help you reduce waste and streamline your operations? Take their survey to help them understand your needs and develop future business resources. As an incentive, everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win one of three $150 restaurant gift cards. The survey closes on November 14!

Other Neighborhood Updates

• Please join us for the Pioneer Square BIA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 16th from 4-5:30p (to be held at The 101) as we celebrate all the successes we have achieved together this past year and look ahead to 2023. All Ratepayers in good standing are invited to meet the BIA Stakeholder Board, the Alliance board members, and Alliance staff as well as learn about new initiatives planned for the upcoming year. You will also have a chance to meet and connect with both your first floor and upper level neighbors, including welcoming some new faces! RSVP here to attend.

Additional Resources

• Save $5 with code PIONEERSQ on First Thursday Artwalk with Veo, one of Seattle's new bikeshare providers. Learn more about their class II e-bikes in Seattle here. Driving to Pioneer Square? Check out mobile-friendly DowntownSeattleParking.com for parking locations throughout the neighborhood. 

• Each Friday, we give neighborhood businesses and organizations the opportunity to share a series of photo and video content to the Alliance for Pioneer Square’s social media channels via stories, feed posts and live video updates, for the entire day. Fill out the Google Form to get started with the process or email our Marketing Manager, Thembela Mavuso at [email protected] if you have any questions.

• The Pioneer Square Business Owners & Managers Facebook group is an opportunity for business owners and retailers to participate in an online forum and share resources, support and stories. We invite you to join the group and connect with other neighborhood businesses. Click here to join the Pioneer Square Business Owners and Managers Facebook page.

Please let us know how we might best support you. Feel free to contact any of us with comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns.