Primary Pandemic Business Resource Links: wsbdc.org/protect-your-business/
Recent updates
Washington Department of Commerce
7/11/2022 Covid-19 Emergency Funding commercegrants.com
- Working Washington Grants Round 5 application open August 17 – September 9. Note: As of April 2022 a UEI (formerly DUNS) number is required to receive funds. If you are not yet registered with SAM.gov do so asap. Commercegrants UEI FAQ
- Convention Center Grants application open August 17 – September 9
- Small Business Flex Fund Loans
Small Business Administration
COVID EIDL application deadline was December 31, 2021
For help with current COVID EIDL applications, call 833-853-5638 (855-440-4960 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For help with Targeted EIDL Advance applications, email TargetedAdvance@sba.gov. Learn more at sba.gov/eidl.
PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS
See SBA website: sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program/ppp-loan-forgiveness
If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal.
IRS News
Recovery Resources
Washington State
Mental health resources at coronavirus.wa.gov. One resource here is Washington Listens, a support line (1-833-681-0211) to talk about stress due to COVID-19.
StartUp Washington startup.choosewashingtonstate.com with resources, assistance and grant information when available
AWB PPE Connect reboundandrecovery.org has resources and connection with Washington businesses for PPE
Washington SBDC Bellingham sbdc.wwu.edu recorded webinars includes PPP, eCommerce Grants, FAQs and more
Federal
5/19/2020 Federal Resources for Small Businesses covid-sb.org affected by COVID-19 is a centralized platform with information obtained from multiple federal agency resources in an organized format with searchable functionality.
Federal Resources for U.S. Small Business http://covid-sb.org/
COVID-19 Employer-Worker Resources
Primary Employer-Worker websites
Washington L & I safety-health Coronavirus lni.wa.gov
Employment Security Department esd.wa.gov
- Employment Security Department esd.wa.gov for workers and businesses news
- ESD SELF EMPLOYED has instructions for self employed COVID-19 related benefits under the CARES Act
- ESD Guide_for_expanded_benefits_COVID pdf
- ESD Application checklist for expanded pandemic unemployment benefits
U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov homepage ‘News’ has latest Guidance for Workers and Employers under Families First Coronavirus Response act other federal announcements for employers
U.S. Department of Labor COVID-19 and the American Workplace
DOL outlines small-business exemption from cornoavirus paid leave law brief from hrdive.com
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention cdc.gov business guidance
Webinars
Family First WWU SBDC Webinar
Families-First-Act-SBDCPresentation
Employer guidance regarding protecting employees
Washington Department of Health doh.wa.gov
Families First Coronavirus Response Act dol.gov
Re-opening articles
Coronavirus and legal considerations
The National Law Review database of articles focused on various aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.
- In this video from Bracewell LLC, managing partner Robert Nichols, an attorney who handles OSHA issues, explains why employers must include contractors and contractors’ workers in health and safety measures, in addition to their own employees and customers.
COVID-19 Business Resources
smallbizhelpwa.com is an information and resource hub powered by the National Development Council and Washington Economic Development Association.
SBA.gov Coronavirus Relief Options portal for PPP, EIDL, SBA Express Bridge Loans and SBA Debt Relief
SBA Coronavirus Disaster relief guide covers programs available. The new COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION Advance began March 30.
SBA Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus sba.gov
SBA announcements press releases
IRS.gov Coronavirus Tax Relief for Business
Washington State Department of Commerce startup.choosewashingtonstate.com
Coronavirus.wa.gov/business-workers note FAQs section
Washington state business resources for COVD-19 business.wa.gov
COVID 19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers Governor.wa.gov
WWU SBDC Bellingham sbdc.wwu.edu
KingCounty.gov Preparedness for Business
America’s SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Resources americassbdc.org
Washington Retail Association Note: Retailer COVID-19 Retailer Resource Guide, Retail Services ‘Retro‘ can help reduce workers’ compensation and ‘Rise Up‘ offers online training on the fundamentals of retail, now being offered to members at no additional cost.
Avoid COVID-19 SCAMS!
Alerts
12/8/2020 Fake emails from Sba-attorneys [mailto:info[@]Sba-attorneys.com] are circulating. This is a scam.
Tips & Resources
Government links should always have .gov in the primary url.
Fraud impersonating SBA alerts: https://www.sba.gov/document/report–sba-programs-scams-fraud-alerts
- Be cautious of webpages claiming to be the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Look for sba.gov (NOT sba.com) in the primary url.
- An SBA logo on an email or webpage does not guarantee the information is accurate or from the SBA.If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.
- There is no cost to apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and SBA will never ask you to provide a credit card.
- Do not release any private information (social security number, date of birth, etc.) or banking information in response to an unsolicited caller, letter, email, or text.
- If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with your application number.
- Check for spelling and grammatical errors in an email and be wary of clicking on any links or attachments.
- Visit the Small Business Cybersecurity site to learn more about small Business Cybersecurity tips, common threats, training, and best practices. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/small-business-cybersecurity
- Visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure site for small business resources. https://w.gov/publication/stopthinkconnect-small-business-resources
- Trust your instincts! If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.
If you have already responded to a phishing email, take ID theft precautions immediately. Visit https://www.identitytheft.gov/ for more information.
In addition, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Group (CISA) and the Regional Infrastructure Security Group (RISG) are also sharing information to warn the public of potential scams. More information is at https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/03/06/defending-against-covid-19-cyber-scams
Washington State
Closing a Business Resources
Washington State
WA state small business guide chapter on ‘closing your business.wa.gov The guide gives a comprehensive list of who must be contacted depending on the industry.
SBA
Close or Sell Your Business sba.gov includes information on bankruptcy and liquidation.
IRS
Closing Your Business Checklist irs.gov with links to various forms that might need to be completed.
One minute video from the IRS irsvideos.gov with an overview of what must be done.
The page also has information to help business owners who are declaring bankruptcy, selling their business and terminating retirement plans. For easy access, they can reach the page at IRS.gov/closingabiz.
How to close a sole proprietorship: fact sheet and e-poster, (Spanish version)
How to close a partnership: fact sheet and e-poster, (Spanish version)
How to close a corporation: fact sheet and e-poster, (Spanish version)
Non Governmental Resources
QuickBooks Guide How to close a business: A 10-step guide for small business owners quickbooks.intuit.com
Financing Resource links
6/19/2020 SBA’s Lender Match is an additional resource for pandemic-affected small businesses who have not applied for or received an approved PPP loan to connect with lenders. This is an online tool for small businesses and non-profits to be matched with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), Farm Credit System lenders, Microlenders, as well as traditional smaller asset size lenders in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read announcement here: SBA.gov newsroom
Washington SBDC Financial tools
Financial Management eLearning
Funding your Business Resource Page
SBA LINC is a tool that connects borrowers with SBA Approved Lenders
Federal
Non-disaster SBA Loans: https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/types-7a-loans
Washington state
Private*
SBA Microlenders and Community Advantage Lenders
Business Impact Northwest https://businessimpactnw.org/
Craft3 https://www.craft3.org/
SNAP https://www.snapwa.org/services-we-provide/lending-services/
Mercy Corps Northwest https://www.mercycorpsnw.org/business/loans/seattle-2/
Webinars
Recruitment & Retention Strategies
August 16 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PDTWorking WA 5 Grants Info
August 16 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm PDTHow to Optimize Your Pricing Strategy to Maximize Profits
August 18 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PDT OnlineBusiness Growth and Development Webinar
August 23 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PDT OnlineWorking WA 5 Grants Info
August 24 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm PDTMastering the Fundamentals of Inventory Management
August 25 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PDTBusiness Survival Strategies
The information below is provided for your consideration and should be evaluated carefully. As local, state and federal agencies continue to roll out new assistance programs, your best course of action may change.
Business Survival Strategies handout pdf
Webinar slide deck 4/17/2020 Business Survival and Cash Flow Forecasting 4.17.20
EXPENSE REDUCTION STRATEGIES
- Staffing reductions
- Current relief options may provide funds to keep employees. Check with esd.wa.gov and an SBDC advisor for options. If necessary, assess your minimum staffing needs and make appropriate reductions in personnel and or hours worked.
- Cash controls
- Eliminate any expenses not essential to business survival
- Stop buying inventory unless you can sell it with quick turnaround
- Leases
- Contact your landlord immediately to discuss reduced rent or rent abatement, in which suspend payments now that are added to the end of your lease. Any changes would need to be documented in a lease amendment. Dealing with your Landlord? Blog from retailowner.com
- Loans
- Talk with anyone you are borrowing from about the possibility of a loan deferral or contract extension. A deferral will have a balloon payment at the end. An extension will extend the term of the loan.
- Look at your debt load and see if it is possible to restructure your debt to decrease payments.
- Vendor contracts/payments
- Talk with suppliers immediately about whether you can delay payments or other ways you might be able to reduce costs.
- Utility costs
- Some utility companies are offering COVID-19-related fee reductions. Go to their website or call to find out what relief is available.
- Taxes
- Seek emergency relief from both state and federal government
- WA Department of Revenue disaster relief dor.wa.gov
- IRS emergency relief irs.gov
- Seek emergency relief from both state and federal government
NOTE: In reducing staff hours and/or furloughing employees, employers must take the lead with WA state Employment Security Division in assisting employees with benefits. There are several options available for unemployment. See the flyer in this link:
Employment Security Department information for workers and businesses affected by COVID-19
- Staffing reductions
Cash Infusion Strategies
- Traditional or disaster loans
Realistically assess whether your business can take on additional debt.
- SBA EIDL disaster assistance loans SBA disasterloan.sba.gov 3 step process
- Traditional SBA loans, express loans, lines of credit, etc.
- Alternative lenders, i.e. Craft3, Mercy Corp, Business Impact NW, Evergreen Business Capital, WAFD, etc.
- Personal loans (proceed with caution)
- Same day loans (proceed with extreme caution!)
- Business interruption/continuity insurance
- Contact your insurance broker to see what your policy provides
- Accounts receivable
- Collect any/all outstanding accounts receivable, but try to preserve important customer/client relationships for future business
- Inventory control
- Take a full inventory and secure it as much as possible. Any perishable inventory that can’t be sold could be donated and listed as a charitable contribution for taxes.
- New markets
- Determine if your business can move any product or services online, or if this current environment offers any opportunities for new revenue streams.
The goal is to improve the company’s overall cash outflow to preserve cash in the bank and extend the company’s ability to survive.
Communication is key
- Talk to your employees
- Do they know and are they following new health and safety guidelines? Are any of them able/willing to reduce hours voluntarily? How can they use technology to increase productivity, especially in this new environment?
- Talk to your customers
- Their needs have changed, what can you do to meet those needs? Look for new opportunities, markets and solutions. How can use you technology, including social media and other digital platforms, to engage and attract customers.
- Talk to your lenders and landlord
- Be realistic about the current situation. Can you defer, extend or lower payments in exchange for a longer loan or lease term or balloon payment later?
- Talk to industry colleagues
- What are they doing that seems to be helping in the current situation? Crowd-sourcing solutions may be helpful.
- Talk to your employees
