Business Resources
Resources and Grant Information
State Resources
Washington State Coronavirus Web Portal
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.
Business & Worker Reopening Guidance
An industry-specific list of Safe Start guidelines businesses can use to reopen their business safely and in compliance with state phased orders.
General Business and Return to Work Inquiries
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.
Safe Start
On Oct. 8, 2020, the Governor announced that a $15 million federal EDA grant has been awarded to support several Safe Start projects that will allow Commerce and a network of community partners to provide technical support and assistance to small businesses. Those projects are under development and information will be available here as they become operational. You can read more about the projects and partners here.
Community Small Business Resiliency Grant Program – Apply
$5 million in federal CARES Act funds has been allocated to this grant program. Successful grant applicants will be eligible for up to $10,000. A business owner with more than one business may apply, but each business application requires a unique state UBI number or Tribal Letter/Certification. Grant awards cannot be used to reimburse personal expenses (i.e., home mortgage, personal utilities), pay state or federal taxes or lobbying expenses/activities. More information on the program and eligibility. | Application
Working Washington Small Business Grants: Round 2
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.
Shellfish Seed Grant (External Link)
Impact Washington and Commerce are are offering Working Washington Small Business Grants targeted specifically to shellfish growers who have been affected by COVID and resulting economic conditions. The program will provide small business grants to struggling growers to enable them to purchase larvae and seed to plant in Washington.
Nonprofit Grant Assistance Program (External Link)
Many community-based nonprofits are small organizations with deep roots in the communities they serve. This program provides flexible grant funding to meet a variety of needs, including but not limited to rent, utilities, technology, infrastructure, payroll, insurance, training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Small Business Resiliency Assistance
The effects of COVID-19 have negatively affected Washington’s small businesses across the state. Those in marginalized communities have been hit especially hard. We are investing in and partnering with organizations that provide linguistically and culturally appropriate assistance to these business owners.
Working Washington Small Business Grants: Round 1 – Recipient Map
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.
Drive-In Wi-Fi Hotspots Locator
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.
Recovery to Sustainable Growth Playbook
Created by the Foster School Consulting and Business Development Center, the playbook provides actionable resources for historically disadvantaged businesses and business owners.
Small Business COVID-19 Back-to-Work Planner (Part 1)
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.
COVID-19 Second Wave Planner (Part 2)
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
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance
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.
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.
Small Business Development Centers
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.
USDA Resources for Rural Communities & Agricultural Producers
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.
Small Business Tools
- The Small Business Playbook – How to Start a Business in Washington State
- Small Business Crisis Planner – Planning For and Navigating Through a Crisis
- Business Toolkit & PPE Marketplace – Association of Washington Business
- Step-by-Step Business Planning Guide – King County
- Business Resiliency Toolkit – Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC)
- Business Planning Tools & Resources – Washington State Emergency Management Division
- Workplace & Employer Resources – Washington State Department of Health
- Manufacturing Industry Resources – Impact Washington
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
- Commerce Twitter Updates
Financial Assistance
- SBA Updates on PPP | Spanish Version
- Department of Revenue Assistance
- Export Market Assistance – Department of Commerce
Employment
- Employment Security Department COVID-19 Updates & Response
- Twitter Feed – Employment Security Department
- Worker’s Compensation for Health Workers – Labor & Industries
Insurance
- Business & Event Insurance – Washington State Insurance Commissioner
- Business Insurance Information in Additional Languages – Washington State Insurance Commissioner
Health Updates
- Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Updates
- Public Health Connection Blog – Washington State Department of Health
- Twitter Feed – Washington State Department of Health
- Coronavirus Disease Information for Travel
- CDC Site for COVID-19
- Johns Hopkins Data Map – Tracks reported and active cases worldwide.
Find these resources and more at Start-up Washington.
