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News from the Office of Economic Development | Vol. 1 No. 24 | August 12, 2020
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 The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is seeking input on a public health measure that’s been in effect since mid-July and requires businesses to follow state-mandated business requirements, including use of protective face coverings, social distancing and adhering to capacity limits.
FAS issued the temporary measure last month following a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases. The measure was developed in partnership with King County and created through use of an Emergency Director’s Rule. Under Seattle Municipal Code, the Director of FAS is authorized to adopt, publish and enforce all rules necessary to implement, interpret, administer and enforce city code for the purpose of licensing and regulating businesses.
As COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the state, the department seeks to make the temporary measure a permanent rule through the duration of the pandemic. As part of this process, FAS is asking for input from businesses on how it can support them in implementing the rule requirements.
Members of the public can view the draft rule on the FAS website. Public comments should be provided by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, and can be submitted by:
- Calling 206-386-1268 (interpretation services available upon request)
- Emailing consumerprotection@seattle.gov
- Sending mail to:
City of Seattle
Dept. of Finance and Administrative Services
Attention: Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 94785
Seattle, WA 98124-7085
Productions Requiring Master Film Permits May Resume Under COVID-19 Adaptions
The City of Seattle is excited to announce that Seattle Master Film Permit applications are now being accepted for productions who are able to meet all guidelines set forth by Washington State’s Phase 2 Motion Picture Production COVID-19 Requirements. The City of Seattle’s requirements will meet state and public health guidelines.
If Washington State or King County reverts to Phase 1, or if changes in COVID-19 conditions make it necessary in the public interest, Seattle Master Film Permits will be suspended.
Visit the Office of Film + Music film permit page to apply for a Seattle Master Film Permit. Review the COVID-19 Film Guidance and Updates section of our website before applying for a permit, as some processes have temporarily changed to reflect public health guidance. Please contact us at filmoffice@seattle.gov or 206-233-3948 for any other questions.
All productions and crew working in Seattle should review Washington Filmworks Production Best Practices and Departmental Best Practices as part of your pre-production planning.
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Return to Work Information for Small Business Employers Impacted by COVID-19
Expand Your Business Outdoors!
Phase 2 Reopening Toolkits For Small Businesses
King County has entered Phase 2 of Washington's Safe Start reopening plan. Phase 2 allows certain businesses and activities to resume under strict public health and safety guidance.
The City of Seattle developed toolkits to help businesses in various sectors reopen, based on Washington Department of Health and Public Health - Seattle & King County guidelines. The toolkits have guidance for restaurants and taverns, retail, professional services, personal services, fitness and training and domestic services.. Toolkits are available in Amharic, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Businesses can also call OED for assistance at 206-684-8090 (interpretation available in Amharic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese).
For additional resources, please see:
Safe Start King County (En Español)
Governor COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses and Workers
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
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Additional Citywide Testing Sites Expanded to South Seattle
The City has expanded COVID-19 testing, and has opened a third citywide testing site located at Rainier Beach High School. Rainier Beach has a high density of BIPOC communities in Seattle—communities that are disproportionately impacted by COIVD-19. Citywide testing sites will increase the capacity for testing by up to 40,000 tests per week. The Rainier Beach walk-up testing site is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9:30am - 5:30pm.
There are also two additional drive-thru COVID-19 sites in SODO and Aurora.
Free testing is available to lessen the spread of COVID-19 throughout our region. Getting tested can help you protect your family, friends, and community should you contract the virus.
Register online for a test. Language interpretation services are available at most location at no costs and are open to anyone regardless of immigration or insurance status.
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Need Working Capital? Apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)!
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) is available to small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses in need of working capital. EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments.
- EIDL loans have an interest rate of 3.75% (businesses) and 2.75% for non-profits
- Long-term repayments up to 30 years (can be shorter)
- First payment is deferred for 1 year
Businesses are encouraged to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) while funding lasts. Deadline to apply is September 30, 2020 or until funding is exhausted, whichever is first.
OED provides FREE technical assistance for 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 EIDL , SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief
- Interpretation is available in 8 languages: English, Amharic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese
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.
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Fremont Center of the Universe Small Business Fund
Fremont Chamber of Commerce has launched the Center of the Universe Small Business Relief Fund to help our small businesses & nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.
$1,500 Grants will be awarded based on availability of funds to help as many Fremont businesses and nonprofits as possible. A Chamber Board Committee will review applications and recommend awards. The first round of funding open on August 1. Initial funds by will be distributed August 15, 2020.
Click here for more information and to apply.
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Census Deadline Shorted to September 30, Help Spread the Word
As of today, the Census has just shortened their deadline by 30 days, meaning that our communities, particularly those most at risk of being undercounted, run the risk of losing out on the representation and funding they deserve. It is critical that Seattle residents complete their census before the new deadline of September 30 to avoid an incomplete count. Remind your family, friends, and neighbors to complete their census at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
In addition, U.S. Census Bureau enumerators will begin going door-to-door to the homes of Seattle residents who have not yet completed the census. While census takers are well-trained to help you complete the census, you can avoid a knock at your door by simply going to my2020census.gov and filling out the census in just a few minutes. Fill out the census now before the new September 30th deadline.
We need your help to spread the word. Too much is at stake for us to be undercounted.
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Career Connected Learning Grants
OED's Career Connected Learning programs are specifically focused on ensuring local youth have the skills, knowledge and networks to connect to the region's economy. Our Career Connected Learning programs are operating within the context of two economic forces that are exacerbating existing racial and economic disparities and further exposing the vulnerabilities of many of Seattle's workers and businesses: COVID-19 and the rise of automation.
This RFP is intended to provide Career Connected Learning opportunities to low-income youth who have historically had limited access due to systemic racial, ethnic and economic segregation. We are interested in funding systemic strategies to support and empower youth from Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC) communities to connect to key sectors in the economy. Activities should be aligned to build talent pipelines to OED's key industries: IT, Creative, Maritime, Manufacturing and Clean Technology, all of which provide access to middle wage jobs and career progression.
Proposals Due: Proposals must be emailed to sasha.gourevitch@seattle.gov by midnight on August 30, 2020.
Click here for more information.
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Career Labs Online Train-the-Trainer
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on Seattle and many of our city’s youth-serving programs, creating an urgent need to enable the delivery of engaging, high-impact training remotely. OED’s Workforce Development Team is delighted to bring the Career Labs Online program to Seattle and to offer a Train-the-Trainer course to select youth workers and facilitators serving young adults across Seattle.
Career Labs Online is a 40-hour synchronous modular training program designed to help entry-level and early career talent become career-ready by developing the professional and “soft skills”, habits, and dispositions needed to be successful at work and in their lives. Career Labs helps high-school to early career participants master key employability skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and time management. For more information, click here.
When: August 31 – September 4, 2020
Time: 9am – 12pm (plus approximately 1 hour of homework/day)
Who can Register: Organizations that serve youth, 14-24. The program will be capped at 15 facilitators to enable a high-quality interactive learning environment. Organizations that serve Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) are highly encouraged to apply.
How to Register: Please complete the application, (est. time to complete, 5 min) by August 21. If you have any additional questions, please contact Sasha Gourevitch at the Seattle Office of Economic Development. Phone: 206-472-5560; e-mail: sasha.gourevitch@seattle.gov.
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COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit Available in Eight Languages
The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces. The COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit provides a suite of tools – including template lease amendment language – to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords. The toolkit is available in English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions.
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COVID-19 Posters for Staff and Customers
Public Health - Seattle & King County is providing posters for businesses to help inform staff and customers on the latest COVID-19 guidance.
Learn more here. Posters are available Amharic, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Khmer, Korean, Marshallese, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Thai, Tongan, and Vietnamese.
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PPE for Reopening Your Business
Seattle Protects is an online marketplace that connects local manufacturers with organizations, businesses, nonprofits, community groups, and individuals in need of affordable cloth face coverings. Visit the marketplace to browse local manufacturers’ inventory.
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The Seattle Public Library Launches Your Next Job
The Seattle Public Library launches Your Next Job. Your Next Job provides FREE one-on-one help with job and unemployment questions by phone, online, or text messaging for job seekers. SPL can help with basic technology skills, completing unemployment applications, learning new skills or applying for a job. Click here to learn more.
SPL is also helping businesses find accurate market data. This data can help businesses pivot their business models, explore the viability of new services and products, or start an new businesses! SPL also provides nonprofits with remote access to a valuable grant seeking database.
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Support for Seattle's Gig Workers
The Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance temporarily provides paid sick leave for gig workers during the COVID-19 emergency. This goes into effect on July 13 and will grant access to paid sick and paid safe time. Find more information here.
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OED Online 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
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Creative Industries Resources
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The Vera Project's: Equip the Kids: A Digital Equity Drive
The Vera Project launched Equip the Kids: A Digital Equity Drive for Video and Audio, apart of a larger program addressing the need to get music and art equipment into the hands of young folx not currently able to access these vital creative tools.
The hope is to award young folx al-a-carte equipment they can keep AND build a vast video / audio equipment lending library for temporary project use. It's never been more important to have live streaming tools.
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Scammers Posing as OED Staff
The Office of Economic Development (OED) has received numerous reports of scammers posing as OED, Small Business Administration, and Washington State Employment Security Department staff to solicit information from businesses and workers.
Report Scams and Fraud
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.
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