Weekly Director’s Update - June 5

Washington State Department of Commerce sent this bulletin at 06/05/2020 09:00 AM PDT

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June 5, 2020

COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard supports county-by-county reopening

Governor Inslee and the state’s Joint Information Center this week launched an updated version of the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard. The dashboard provides researchers and the public a better ability to see what’s happening at the regional and county level when it comes to COVID-19 activity, testing, and healthcare system readiness. Additional metrics will be added or modified over time. While the dashboard doesn’t represent all the data and information considered by state health officials, it does provide helpful insights into key measures.

Learn more about the data driving safe reopening decisions

Getting ready to open your business or go back to work?

Find all current state reopening guidance for businesses and workers here. Guidance is updated frequently on the state portal at coronavirus.wa.gov.

Also visit the Association of Washington Business Rebound and Recovery website for help sourcing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and more guidance and resources for small businesses at www.reboundandrecovery.org.

"This just saved our business." Another round of Working Washington grants headed to small businesses statewide

More Working Washington grants were approved this week to aid very small businesses - up to 10 employees - in communities throughout the state. Commerce, our local economic development partners and Gov. Inslee's team have been working diligently to review and approve thousands of applications as fairly and expeditiously as possible. Over 25,000 applications for just $10 million in funds were received. The final grants are expected to be announced by June 15.

A current summary of all grant recipients by county and business type is available on Commerce's website. Read more from our county-based Associate Development Organization partners and news outlets around the state:

"This just saved our business" - Read stories from Central Washington small business owners in the Columbia Basin Herald

Skagit businesses receive boost from state grant

71 Small Businesses in Chelan and Douglas Counties Awarded Working
Washington Emergency Grants

Commerce awards 61 Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants through Greater Spokane Inc.

Communities using emergency block grants to help small businesses

Around the state, city and county leaders are exploring and using regular and emergency Community Development Block Grant funds to address challenges specific to their communities. Among them are plans and programs targeted to help small businesses stay afloat during the economic crisis and prepare to safely reopen. Learn more about the many ways in which creative leadership in Washington's rural counties is making a difference for residents all over Washington.

Whitman County: Funds allow for about 16 small business to receive around $5,000 each Read more in The Daily Evergreen

Yakima County: New grants help small businesses in Yakima County impacted by COVID-19 See the story on KAPP TV

Thurston County: Committee Proposes Paying Out Yelm’s $274,050 in Federal Relief to City, Businesses and a Relief Fund Read more in the Nisqually Valley News

Governors request action to remove barriers, improve access to small business loans

Governor Inslee joined his fellow governors from Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin in calling on U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza to remove barriers for credit unions and community banks that administer federal Paycheck Protection Program loans alongside the nation's largest banks and financial institutions. Many small businesses that so desperately need help to stay afloat have been left out, while their much larger counterparts (the SBA defines "small business" as fewer than 500 employees), most with existing big bank relationships, rapidly depleted these critical federal assistance funds.

Read the letter from five governors to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Carranza

Clean Energy Fund helps dairies convert animal waste into usable biogas

This week Commerce announced $970,000 in grants from the Clean Energy Fund (CEF) under the Dairy Digester Enhancement Program to four proposed projects that will address improved energy efficiency in operations and the marketing of biogas, nutrients, fiber and other co-products of the digesters.

The grants are matched dollar-for-dollar with other sources of non-state funding.

Read the Yakima Herald-Republic story about two projects in the Yakima Valley

Visit www.coronavirus.wa.gov often for the most current information and resources related to COVID-19 in Washington state.

About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com.

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