State Resources

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.

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. Be sure to use good social distancing and hygiene practices at these mobile sites.

Commerce is funding an additional $10 million in small business grants. In contrast to Round 1, these grants will be administered and managed by our local associate economic development organizations, not Commerce. For more information and to apply, contact the organization designated for your county using the provided links.

This interactive map shows the more than 1,400 grant recipients of the Governor’s Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants that distributed nearly $10 million to small businesses statewide. You can also view a summary by county showing total awards distributed, number of businesses assisted and type of business.

In partnership with Washington State’s ethnic commissions, Commerce is contracting with community-based organizations to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate help to business owners.

Created by the Foster School Consulting and Business Development Center, the playbook provides actionable resources for historically disadvantaged businesses and business owners.

A great complement to the industry-specific guidelines linked above, this planner is designed so you can visualize and plan the steps necessary to open your business once you are given the green light. All that’s missing is the “Yes, We’re Open” sign.

Without a vaccine, a second wave of COVID-19 may affect your business in the future. This planner walks you through what you need to do between the first and second waves to make your business more resilient going forward.

County Resources

Business Assistance & Financial Resources – Each county has its own assistance programs available, including small business grants.

Federal Resources

This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties that does not have to be repaid. In the latest package, Congress appropriated an additional $10 billion for this program. This complements the traditional SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which has been in place for the entire nation, all territories and Washington, D.C. since mid-March. Approval notification is estimated at approximately three days.

Primarily for payroll expenses, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the latest package includes $310 billion for PPP, with $60 billion set aside specifically for smaller financial institutions like credit unions and community banks. The loan forgiveness portion is dependent on keeping and paying employees or rehiring employees laid off in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. To find a PPP lender, contact a Washington State SBA Office.

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This covers all principal, interest and fees on current and new SBA 7(a) loans made through Sep. 27, 2020, for up to six months.

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.