Updated Safe Start Business Guidelines - Nov. 16, 2020

Stay Safe. Together.

New restrictions starting November 16 through Monday, December 14

With over 2,000 cases a day over the weekend and average cases in the state doubling over the past two weeks, new restrictions have been put in place. COVID-19 restrictions have affected local businesses the most. Without extra support from the community, more local businesses are likely to shut down. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES to save our local economy!

Social Gatherings

Gathering with people from outside your household are prohibited unless they (a) quarantine for fourteen days (14) prior to the social gathering; or (b) quarantine for seven (7) days prior to the social gathering and receive a negative COVID19 test result no more than 48-hours prior to the gathering. A household is defined as individuals residing in the same domicile.

Indoor Social Gatherings, Outdoor Social Gatherings COVID-19 Requirements

Restaurants & Bars

Restaurants and bars will be closed for indoor service, with to-go services and restricted outdoor dining allowed. Table size for outdoor dining is limited to a maximum of five (5) people.

Restaurant, Tavern, Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries COVID-19 Requirements

Wedding Receptions and Funerals

Ceremonies are limited to a total of no more than 30 people. Indoor receptions, wakes, or similar gatherings in conjunction with such ceremonies are prohibited.

Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Receptions and Funerals COVID-19 Requirements

Fitness Facilities & Gyms

Indoor service will be closed at fitness facilities and gyms, and youth and adult amateur sporting activities are limited to outdoors only with facial coverings.

Fitness & Gym COVID-19 Requirements

Movie Theaters & More

Bowling alleys, museums, zoos, aquariums, and movie theaters will be closed for indoor services.

Entertainment COVID-19 Requirements

Updated Safe Start Business Guidelines

Restaurants

Household member restriction lifted, maximum table size expanded to 6 in Phase 2 and 8 in Phase 3, alcohol service extended to 11 p.m.

Restaurant, Tavern, Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries COVID-19 Requirements

Wedding Receptions and Funerals

Capacity extended to 50 people in Phase 3, alcohol service and receptions can now go until 11 p.m.

Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Receptions and Funerals COVID-19 Requirements

Movie Theaters

Operation permitted in Phases 2 and 3 with capacity, distancing, and masking requirements.

Movie Theaters COVID-19 Requirements

Safe Start Phase 2 & 3 in WA

Safe Start Project for Businesses and Entrepreneurs

The Safe Start plan and related projects recently received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, one of the largest such grants in the nation

The grant funds will support a number of initiatives ultimately aimed at helping Washington small businesses and strengthening core industry clusters. Some of the projects are new, but several build off existing efforts.

Restart projects include technical assistance for businesses and entrepreneurs in underrepresented and underserved communities as well as a first-of-its-kind COVID-19 modeling project that will help predict and prevent outbreaks so that essential, high-risk businesses such as fisheries, food processors and meat packers can reopen and stay open safely.

“The magnitude of this economic challenge is extraordinary. The only way we can truly help businesses get back on their feet and regain momentum in our economy is by bringing an extraordinary new level of collaboration with our business and philanthropic partners. This is especially true as we try to address the varied and disproportionate impacts of the pandemic, regionally and in underserved communities,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “We have the talent, we have the expertise, we have the funding. These projects are all about connecting those pieces so we can reopen safely today and keep building the equitable, sustainable and innovative economy of the future.”

— Lisa Brown, Director, Washington State Department of Commerce

View/Download Safe Start Project Fact Sheet

Source: Washington State Department of Commerce

EIDL Update: Consider Reapplying

Consider reapplying for the EIDL even if you were previously rejected, or if you were accepted and need additional funds.

“On the Wednesday conference call, SBA Seattle District Director Kerrie Hurd reminded everyone that the COVID EIDL loan program ends Dec. 21, 2020 and there is currently about $100 billion still available. (Kerrie said Congress might decide to extend the program, but not much of anything is getting done in Congress right now.) At the height of the disaster loan frenzy, the SBA was receiving  about 150,000 applications per week. Now they are down to about 7,000 per week, which is working out to about $7 billion in EIDL loans per month”.

“Kerrie is recommending that businesses that put their EIDL funds to good use early on might want to apply for additional EIDL funding since closures have lasted longer than anyone expected”.

EIDL Reconsideration: An article in Barrons provides this guidance on requesting additional EIDL funds: “According to Carol Chastang, a public affairs specialist with the SBA, to request an increase in their EIDL funding, borrowers will need their most recently filed Federal Tax Return (FTR), a signed IRS form 4506T (a request for transcript of a tax return) …and an explanation as to why the increase is needed.” Requests should be sent to SBA’s Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center through email at pdcreconds@sba.gov.

“According to Kerrie, about 265,000 applications are currently going through the reconsideration process, either because they were initially rejected or because an applicant is requesting additional funds”.

Source: WSBDC Covid Update Newsletter 10/08/2020

If you would like to apply for the EIDL and need help with your application, reach out to CIE’s business resiliency advisor Micah Jonet: micah.jonet@cie-nw.org or contact us.

Grants Available for Clallam County Small Businesses

Working Washington 2 Grant $10K

Can you say yes to the following?

• Do you have fewer than 20 employees?

• Is your business located in Clallam County?

• Was your business negatively impacted by COVID-19?

The application does not require submission of invoices that will be reimbursed. If you have an estimate of your revenue this year and last, and have your UBI handy this grant application should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Contact Micah if you need help with the application.

Apply here

Small Business Coronavirus Assistance Fund $4K (CDBG)

To qualify:

• Fewer than 5 employees including owner

• Located in Clallam County

• Self-certify that your revenue has dropped by 25%

• Household income less than or equal to the amount below in last 12 months or in 2019

This grant provides free business advising for up to 30 businesses from the Center of Inclusive Entrepreneurship. Contact Micah if you need help with the application.

Apply here