
Additional Resources
Working your way through a crisis – whether it’s manmade or natural – is difficult work to say the least. To guide you through current and future crises, we’ve put together a wealth of resources for you.
Details about the distribution of Commerce’s previous business grant rounds are available here.
You can also see a summary of all Commerce’s COVID-19 response efforts here.
State Resources
Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for a low-interest loan of up to $150,000 to finance expansion and growth as well as recover from the pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown.
Federal Assistance
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal
Businesses who received a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program can now apply for forgiveness through the new streamlined portal launched last month by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small business owners with loans up to $150,000 can apply. Visit the SBA’s PPP Direct Forgiveness Portal for information. Customer service is also available by phone at 877-552-2692.
Administered through the Small Business Administration and local lenders, including community development financial institutions (CDFIs), the additional $284 billion in the latest relief package sets aside a portion of its funding for both first- and second-time borrowers with 10 or fewer employees as well as loans of less than $250,000 in low-income areas. Forgiveness of loans of less than $150,000 has been simplified as well. Guidance for small businesses to prepare for the application process and program details.
Small businesses who originally took out an EIDL loan for up to $150,000 for six months can extend that loan for up to 24 months and receive additional funds for a total of $500,000 in relief. Businesses that received an EIDL loan for up to six months and $150,000 need not submit a request to increase their loan amount. Rather, the SBA will reach out via email for details on how businesses can request additional loan funds prior to the April 6 launch date of the extended program.
The latest bill extends a provision that pays the principal and interest on behalf of borrowers that have certain SBA loans, such as 7(a) loans. It also provides support for the 7(a) program by increasing the amount of the SBA’s guarantee for lenders.
The SBA’s Express Bridge Loan allows small businesses that have an existing business relationship with a participating lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
These centers will help you navigate available SBA loans and provide you with no-cost business consulting.
This program protects you in case your customers overseas are slow on paying receivables or go out of business. It allows you to commit to export sales without fear of loss during the pandemic.
The USDA is are taking a number of steps to help rural communities and agricultural producers through their single-family, multi-family, business-cooperative, and utility service provider programs.
Technical Assistance
The state has put together a meta site of resources, links and official updates for use by businesses and workers related to the Coronavirus pandemic.
An industry-specific list of Safe Start guidelines businesses can use to reopen their business safely and in compliance with state phased orders.
If you are a business, non-profit or worker with general inquiries, please use this form for issues related to financial help, the Safe Start policy plan for returning to work, safety guidelines for your sector or business, and other assistance related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This site is designed specifically for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. Programs range from SizeUp, which is a diagnostic tool to vet business ideas and validate business models, the Entrepreneur Academy to teach the basics of starting and operating a successful business and ScaleUp, which helps small businesses move beyond the “mom and pop” stage through skill mastery and optimization.
SmallBizHelpWA.com is an information and resource hub that provides current and accurate information on available relief programs for Washington’s small businesses and eligible non-profits. It is powered by the National Development Council and Washington Economic Development Association with support from the Washington Small Business Recovery Working Group.
Free Internet is available at hotspots statewide to serve residents who don’t have broadband in their homes and broadband wifi to search for jobs, telework, file unemployment, do homework, complete the census or access telehealth appointments.
Created by the Foster School Consulting and Business Development Center, the playbook provides actionable resources for historically disadvantaged businesses and business owners.
Small Business Tools
- The Small Business Playbook – How to Start a Business in Washington State
- Entrepreneur Academy – An 11 lesson series teaching essential business skills to prospective business owners.
- Small Business Resource Site – Washington State Small Business Recovery Working Group
- Small Business Crisis Planner – Planning For and Navigating Through a Crisis
- Business Toolkit & PPE Marketplace – Association of Washington Business
- Step-by-Step Business Planning Guide – King County
- Business Resiliency Toolkit – Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
- Business Planning Tools & Resources – Washington State Emergency Management Division
- Workplace & Employer Resources – Washington State Department of Health
- Manufacturing Industry Resources – Impact Washington
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
- Commerce Twitter Updates
Employment
- Employment Security Department COVID-19 Updates & Response
- Twitter Feed – Employment Security Department
- Worker’s Compensation for Health Workers – Labor & Industries
Insurance
- Business & Event Insurance – Washington State Insurance Commissioner
- Business Insurance Information in Additional Languages – Washington State Insurance Commissioner
Health Updates
- Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Updates
- Public Health Connection Blog – Washington State Department of Health
- Twitter Feed – Washington State Department of Health
- Coronavirus Disease Information for Travel
- CDC Site for COVID-19
- Johns Hopkins Data Map – Tracks reported and active cases worldwide.