Responding to the Coronavirus

COVID-19 is wreaking havoc both in our daily activities and in our local economy, and CIE has been adjusting our response repeatedly as new information has emerged. Here’s what we’re doing.

Economic Disaster Assistance

We are gearing up to provide local businesses and their employees with assistance. We can help business with the following efforts:

  • STEP 1: PREPARE A COVID-RESPONSE PLAN

  • STEP 2: TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO REDUCE OVERHEAD AND CONSERVE WORKING CAPITAL

  • STEP 3: ACCESS SBA EMERGENCY BUSINESS LOAN FOR WORKING CAPITAL

Coronavirus Business Resource Page

We are maintaining a list of coronavirus resources relevant to our entrepreneurs and small businesses, including federal, state and county resources. These include updates regarding emergency Unemployment Insurance for workers and employers, as well as the latest information on SBA Disaster Assistance loans for businesses impacted by Covid-19. Please share the page widely, and if you know of additional resources we could include, please let us know via our Contact page.

Self Employment Assistance Program

CIE is a SEAP-approved business support provider and can help people apply for SEAP and take advantage of its job search waiver.

Employees who are laid off and eligible for unemployment benefits may be eligible for the Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP). SEAP is a unique opportunity for unemployed workers to enter into self-employment entrepreneurial training, start a business, and receive business counseling while collecting unemployment benefits. Here’s more information: https://www.esd.wa.gov/jobs-and-training/self-employment-assistance-program

Social Distancing

  • Until testing is readily available, we will be doing all classes and consultations via phone or zoom.

  • We have switched our March, April and May Bootstrap Business Courses (Port Angeles and Forks) to Zoom video conference only. We will reevaluate in May.

  • We postponed the March 19 Sequim Small Business Resource Fair indefinitely. Together with our event partners Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Seattle Small Business Administration office, and Governor Inslee’s Business Liaison Team, we hope to reschedule this for summer or fall, depending on circumstances.

What Are Your Needs, Questions or Ideas?

If you have needs, ideas, resources or just encouragement, please get in touch directly or via our Contact page.

CIE is ready to help your business develop a resiliency plan and determine your eligibility for, and help you access, federal and state emergency loans or other economic relief. Contact us.

Stay safe. Stand together. Be well.