Washington State, as well as our partners at the Washington State Business Development Center, are providing guidance and resources to help businesses manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. To help our clients and the larger business community, we are compiling a list of these resources. If you know of additional information that we should include, please let us know through our contact form. We will continue to update this as additional information or resources come to our attention.
Updated March 19, 2020
Federal
SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
UPDATE 3/16: We have created a separate post with more detailed information on SBA EIDL Loans. View page >
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans will offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business to help overcome temporary loss of revenue. Read press release >
SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers (COVID-19)
CDC recommendations for businesses. View page >
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection where visitors have either suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 aimed at limiting the survival of novel coronavirus. View page >
Washington state
Inslee announces relief for businesses, workers, renters and more in response to COVID-19 outbreak
Up to $5 million of the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Funds will be made available as small grants to small businesses across the state to help prevent closure due to COVID-19. Learn more >
WA Department of Revenue COVID-19 Tax Relief
DOR will work with businesses that cannot file or pay their taxes on time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses can file an extension for excise tax returns or request a late payment penalty waiver. View page >
Business.wa.gov COVID-19 Portal
Provides many of the same links as portals listed below, with links to general information about COVID-19, Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 information, and Department of Revenue Tax Relief.
Statewide shutdown of restaurants, bars and limits on size of gatherings expanded
Governor Inslee’s March 16 emergency proclamation Mar. 16 temporarily shuts down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities (restaurants are allowed to offer takeout and delivery service but no in-person dining). The proclamation also prohibits gatherings over 50 participants as well as gatherings of less than 50 participants unless public health and social distancing criteria are met. Grocery stores and pharmacies are not included in the ban; other retail outlets will have reduced capacity. View announcement >
Startup Washington COVID-19 Information and Updates
Central portal for comprehensive information provided by the Washington Department of Commerce. Includes all the below as well as news updates. Top headline on March 13 is the approval of SBA disaster assistance loans (see above). Visit page >
Resource List for Washington State Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19 Coronavirus
The Governor’s Office released this list of resources to support economic retention and recovery related to COVID-19 coronavirus, including financial, export, employee & worker and insurance resources. Learn more >
Cleaning for Business
This concise PDF illustrates optimum hand washing procedures, explains the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting, and provides an FAQ. Produced by the Spokane Regional Health District. View PDF >
Inslee announces support for workers and businesses impacted by COVID-19
On March 10, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee and Suzi LeVine, commissioner of the Washington Employment Security Department, rolled out new rules to help alleviate the economic impact of COVID-19 felt by businesses and workers. These include unemployment benefits and relief to employees and employers affected by work stoppage, business closure, or quarantine. Read the press release >
Employment Security Department guidelines for workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus)
On March 9, Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) announced a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses. This page includes an overview and a Q&A for both workers and employers. Learn more >
COVID-19 ESD Scenarios & Benefits Available
This chart shows some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply based both on current law (paid sick & safe leave, unemployment insurance, paid family and medical leave, and industrial insurance) as well as the emergency rule for unemployment insurance. Learn more >
Washington SBDC Business Resiliency Toolkit and Seminars
Starting Thursday, March 12, the SBDC will offer a series of one-hour webinars to introduce business owners to resiliency planning and the “Keeping the Lights On” guide. About 30 minutes of the webinar will be an overview of resiliency planning and the remainder of the time will be for questions and answers. The webinar will not specifically cover health concerns of the Coronavirus but will focus on sustaining a business during a crisis. The SBDC requests that participants register for the webinar focused on their community.
Register for Bellingham, Everett, Lacey, Mt. Vernon and Port Angeles webinar >
County
Clallam County Health Department Coronavirus Information
Features current numbers for number of cases in the county. View page >
LION COVID-19 Emergency Loan Fund for Jefferson County Businesses
Jefferson County’s Local Investing Opportunities Network (LION) has established a new loan program for Jefferson County businesses and non-profits needing funding to deal with the COVID-19 emergency. A fast track process has been established to handle the applications. Learn more and download the application >
Jefferson County Public Health Department COVID-19 Information
Current numbers of cases in county, as well as information on testing. View page >
Questions? Contact Us
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.
