City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 04/29/2020 04:00 PM PDT
News from the Office of Economic Development | Vol. 1 No. 9 | April 29, 2020
Mayor Durkan Transmits Legislation to Deploy $14 Million in Federal Resources in Fight Against COVID-19
On April 24, Mayor Durkan transmitted legislation to accept and appropriate funds from the recently passed federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to directly support the City’s response to COVID-19. Mayor Durkan is proposing to use approximately $14 million in new federal funds towards these COVID-19 priorities:
$1.5 million for the Small Business Stabilization Fund
$5 million for the expansion of food delivery programs for older adults
$5.3 million for rental assistance programs for households at risk of eviction or homelessness and programs that serve low-income persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
The Small Business Stabilization Fund has increased by $1.5 million from the federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Thanks to this increase 150 more businesses will receive $10,000 grants!
Nearly 9,000 small businesses applied for the first round of OED's Small Business Stabilization Fund. Due to eligibility requirements, and initial monies available, OED awarded 250 applicants Stabilization grants in the first round. Awardees for the second round of funding will be chosen from the 5,500 existing eligible applicants that were not selected in the initial round.
The volume of applications demonstrates the needs of small businesses exceeds the financial capacity of City funding alone. OED is committed to securing additional resources, and meeting the needs of small businesses through partnering with the private sector, philanthropic partners and advocating for additional economic relief from the federal government.
The Office of Economic Development (OED) provides technical assistance to businesses to:
Understand available financial resources, including loans and grants.
Check eligibility for loans and other resources.
Apply for SBA loans and complete the application, including Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief.
Please call the Seattle Office of Economic Development at 206-684-8090 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email OED at oed@seattle.gov anytime to receive free assistance.You can ask for language assistance and receive interpretation over the phone.
The Office of Economic Development (OED) has received numerous reports of scammers posing as either lenders or providers offering to help businesses with their federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications.
If you suspect a scam: report the activity to the Washington State Office of Attorney General, by calling 1-800-551-4636 from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by completing a claim at https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx.
On Tuesday, April 21, the Only in Seattle (OIS) team hosted a webinar with neighborhood business districts and partners to provide relevant and timely information for small businesses. This week’s webinar featured presentations form the Seattle Police Department on programs that can help reduce and manage crime and its impacts to businesses in their districts. The City’s Navigation Team also presented on how it is working to help people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19.
Speakers included:
Mark Solomon – Crime Prevention Coordinator (SPD) Business District Block Watch & Community Police Team
Detective Travis Testerman – Seattle Police Criminal Intelligence Unit (SPD) Graffiti in Business Districts
Dr. Christopher Fisher – Executive Director of Strategy (SPD) General Crime Trends and Best Practices
Tara Beck – Navigation Team (HSD) Update from the City’s Navigation Team
Join us in saying thank you to those we depend on the most during these difficult times – our essential workers! Let’s show them how much we love and appreciate them! On Friday, May 1st, at 8:00pm sharp, we’re asking Seattleites to join in a moment of appreciation by making noise. Open your windows, stand on balconies and in your front yards, backyards, and anywhere you may be, to make a joyful noise so frontline workers know how much we appreciate them. Encourage fellow City of Seattle employees (many of whom are on the front lines themselves), families, friends, and neighbors to join in showing our collective appreciation.
Join the May 6 OED Small Business Weekly COVID-19 Resource Webinar
OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. We are holding weekly webinars to share new developments, hear about the impacts you are experiencing, and answer your questions. Please join us every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Missed the last week’s webinar? You can catch the recording, slides, and notes here.
New Emergency Order to Cap Third-Party Delivery Commissions and Support Local Restaurants
On Friday April 24, Mayor Durkan, Council President González, and Councilmember Herbold announced a new Emergency Order to impose a 15 percent commission cap on third-party delivery services. The necessary statewide ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order has caused restaurants to rely solely on delivery and takeout services for revenue using and many restaurants use third-party delivery services to meet the needs of their customers and keep their staff safe.
The 15 percent commission cap will remain in place until restaurants are allowed to offer unrestricted dine-in service in the City of Seattle. Click here to read more.
OED Resource Hub and Blog
“Stay up-to-date by visiting our Resource Hub and reading our weekly Resource Roundup blog! With loans and grants available at the state and federal level, OED has created a comprehensive resource page for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19, and is providing technical assistance to support our small businesses. Our weekly blog provides you with news and information about new policies and resources available from the City of Seattle, the State of Washington, the federal government, and our philanthropic partners.”
Communities Rise launches new Covid-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic
This is a new virtual clinic designed to help small businesses and nonprofits navigate the legal issues they are experiencing due to Covid-19. Small businesses and nonprofits will get to meet with a lawyer for a free 60-minute legal consultation by phone or video conference (client preference). Clinic appointments are scheduled at a time that is convenient for the client and attorney. After you apply for services, we will match you with a lawyer, and the lawyer will call you to schedule your appointment. We have created this new and expanded clinic system to handle a high volume of covid-19 related requests. Interpretation is available in a variety of languages
Ling & Liang PLLC located in the CID. Jeff Liang is offering free 20-minute consultations only available through May 4th. Here is more information on what he is offering as well as his practice areas.
This 30 minute instructional video walks you through the PPP application process. Attorney Jeff Liang will give you a brief overview of the PPP and EIDL programs, walk you through the PPP application and show you how to retrieve your business license and corporation documents online. Jeff will also give you tips on preparing for the application, finding a lender, and making the decision of whether the PPP or EIDL loan program is best for your business or nonprofit. CPA Valerie Pickens will give you a show you how to calculate the “Average Monthly Payroll” amount, which is used to determine the PPP loan amount.
Note that this video was recorded on April 22, 2020. The landscape keep changing with respect to PPP loans. Please check the PPP Updates and Supplemental Information document for updates since the video was recorded.
Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund - Pioneer Square, CID, SODO
Seattle Sounders FC is granting up to $1,000 for individuals and up to $7,500 for small businesses who are located in Pioneer Square, Chinatown-International District, and SODO, vendors in support of Century Link and Seattle Sounders FC events, and business who provide direct support to Sounders FC business or technical operation.
The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19 and teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving will be overseeing the fund, making 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis. Applications will reopen May 4.
North Aurora businesses are raising funds to provide Family Emergency Kits for vulnerable families in North Seattle. It's a collective partnership between World Vision, Together Washington, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation and For North Aurora! These kits feed a family of 5 for one week and have much needed essentials, far beyond just food.
Community comes together to deliver fresh produce and other food to residents in Chinatown-ID
On Thursday, April 16, around 35 people gathered on a bright sunny day in Hing Hay Park in Chinatown-ID to help unload a truck full of fresh produce and put together 900 grocery bags containing fruit and vegetables to distribute to residents in the neighborhood. Volunteers came from the CID community and surrounding neighborhoods, the Seattle Police Department and community based organizations.
The effort was organized by Henry Liu, community organizer for InterIm Community Development Association. He said altogether, the 900 or so bags went out to residents of 11 buildings total, to residents of all ages from children to seniors. Among the 11 workforce and affordable housing buildings, annual incomes range from $9,000 – $50,000 a year. Read more
