Apply for the Working Washington Small Business Grant! 

Applications available for up to $20,000 in emergency funding.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced an additional $70 million for business grants. $50 million of this is for Washington State Department of Commerce's Round 3 of the Working Washington Small Business grants. The remainder will go towards funding qualified businesses that applied in earlier rounds of the resiliency grant program.

Small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019, businesses in sectors most impacted by recent public health measures, and sectors that have experienced significant, cumulative impacts. Examples include full-service restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys and music and event venues.

Priority will be given to applications received by December 11.

The Seattle Office of Economic Development is offering technical support to small businesses who are applying. For assistance,email oed@seattle.gov or call 206-684-8090. In-language assistance available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, Amharic, and Somali. 

For more information and to apply, click here. 

In-language translation in Español (Spanish), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), 한국인 (Korean), 简体中文 (Chinese), and ไทย (Thai).

Washington Small Business Development Center will be hosting a Mandarin language tomorrow, Friday, December 4, 2020, 10:00AM - 11:00AM. 

The webinar will be facilitated by Ellie He, Washington SBDC Certified Business Advisor, and Man Wang, Director at Washington State China Relations Council (WSCRC).

The webinar will cover:

• Who is eligible
• How to apply
• What the grant pays for
• Documents and information you will need to apply

Click here to register. 

Updated Business and Restaurant Requirements During COVID-19

Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) has issued a permanent Director's Rule reinforcing public health measures that have been in effect since mid-July, requiring businesses to follow state-mandated requirements, including use of protective face coverings, social distancing and adhering to capacity limits. 

Resources for Business Regarding the Rule have been updated since Gov. Inslee's announcement in mid-November. 

COVID-19 Public Health Requirements for Businesses (English), አማርኛ (Amharic), 简体中文  (Simplified Chinese), 한국어 (Korean), Soomaali (Somali), Español (Spanish), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese).

🎁 Shop Early, Shop Local, Shop Safely, Shop Your Block!

The City of Seattle launched the new Shop Your Block retail map as part of the larger public campaign—Shop Your Block—that aims to  support small businesses throughout the holiday season. Shop Your Block connects consumers to local small retail businesses throughout Seattle using the new retail map and online neighborhood marketplaces. This campaign is the result of partnerships between the City, Comcast, small business owners, business district organizations, and community partners. Shop Your Block  celebrates Seattle’s unique character and encourages the public to support local retailers in their neighborhood —in person or online— this holiday shopping season.

Click here to add or edit your business on the Shop Your Block map.

Shop Early, Shop Local, Shop Safely

#ShopYourBlock!  

Apply to the Comcast RISE Small Business Program 

Comcast has launched Comcast RISE, a multi-year commitment to provide marketing, creative, media, and technology services to qualifying small business owned by underrepresented groups. 

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners are eligible to apply for Comcast RISE. For more information and to apply, click here. 

Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund 

Applications for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is now open! 

The relief fund will provide $40 million in federal funds allocated by the state to assist Washington workers who miss work due to COVID-19, but are unable to access federal stimulus programs and other social supports due to their immigration status. While the fund is operational, eligible recipients will receive $1,000, with a limit of $3,000 per household. 

Deadline to apply is December 6, 2020, 12:00AM. 

For more information and to apply, click here. 

Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholarship 

Learn how to plan, launch and build a new business venture. You’ll also earn a professional business certificate from the top-ranked University of Washington.

For Women who Want to Start a Business

In this 6-month certificate program, you’ll:

• Explore best practices for building a new business
• Learn from real women entrepreneurs & funders
• Examine what it takes to operate a business — finance, sales and marketing, HR and more.
• Create your own business plan and deliver a pitch
• Get 1:1 coaching from start-up advisors
• Build skills & confidence to launch your venture

Apply by December 4, 2020. 

For more information and to apply, click here. 

Seattle IT Technology Matching Fund is Open 

Looking for a low-cost option to provide devices that improve digital literacy?

Check out Seattle Information Technology Department Technology Matching Fund grant application process that is underway now! Past winners have set up labs, held computer classes and distributed devices to those who need them. Two online workshops are scheduled to guide applicants through the Technology Matching Fund grant process.

Click here for more information and to apply. Applications are due 5:00PM Tuesday, January 12, 2021.

Free Workshops from the Food Finance Institute

Looking to scale-up your business but don’t want to commit to a program? The Food Finance Institute's Scaler Series offers businesses the flexibility to learn how to successfuly grow their businesses, one workshop at a time. It’s a series of 6 workshops normally costing $250. The Scaler Series enrollment is free for 2020 - 2021.

January 14 - Sales & Distribution Planning 
February 4 - Marketing & Branding Planning 
February 24 - Operations & Organization Planning 
March 18 - Sources & Uses of Capital Finance Planning 
April 15 - Food Safety & GFSI Planning 

Click here to learn more and register.