Resources for businesses & employers

Following are loan and grant programs and other resources to assist businesses and employers experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19. This page has been updated as of July 22, 2020.

NOTE: For resources & materials to help businesses operate safely during the Safe Start Plan, visit puyallupsumnerchamber.com/backtowork.

NFIB On-Demand Webinar - SBA Loan Experts Explain the Rules of EIDL and PPP Loans (held July 15, 2020) is helpful for avoiding mistakes and maximizing loan forgiveness. Watch on demand and download slides here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced in early July that they have reopened Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Applications again. The new deadline is Aug. 8, 2020. SBA’s Lender Match is a free online tool that connects small businesses with SBA-approved CDFIs and small lenders. Also available is a downloadable PDF of lenders by state, and updated information about loan forgiveness.

  • EIDL Loan Advance: This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

  • SBA Express Bridge Loans: Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

  • SBA Debt Relief: The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As options arise and the situation evolves, all SBA program updates and financing pages will be here: sba.gov/coronavirus. Subscribe to SBA updates via email: sba.gov/updates. Also see the Frequently Asked Questions page about how the new SBA CARES programs will work with each other.

Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) Update July 2020: Businesses have a tremendous amount of concern about the overall impact of COVID-19 on their UI tax rates, and are wondering what the impact of the imposter fraud might be on their benefit charges and their experience rates. Businesses are not responsible for benefit charges for fraudulent claims filed in their employees’ names and their experience ratings will not be impacted by unemployment imposter fraud. Each quarter, ESD will send out a Statement of Benefit Charges to every taxable employer in the state with a list of those furloughed or former employees who used Unemployment Insurance. ESD is also including a cover letter that explains why you might still see benefit charges in the list that are fraudulent. The letter describes what you should/shouldn’t do with the information, and explains that ESD will, at the end of the year, provide a comprehensive list of actual benefit charges so that you can ensure its accuracy. can provide support in the form of unemployment benefits. For employers that want to keep from losing highly-trained employees, these unemployment benefits can be received through, or while covered by, Shared Work, Partial Unemployment and Standby (which allow certain workers to collect unemployment while remaining with their employers and not actively seeking other jobs). For more information, visit esd.wa.gov/about-employees/statement-of-benefit-charges

The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) has advisors that can provide one-to-one assistance to help you think through your options and make informed decisions. Find business resiliency workbooks, webinars and business resources related to protecting your business here. Helpful publications include Business Survival Strategies and The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. Learn more at wsbdc.org

Washington State Department of Revenue Business Relief During COVID-19 Pandemic: dor.wa.gov/about/business-relief-during-covid-19-pandemic

The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) created a page dedicated to business relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit dor.wa.gov/taxrelief​

Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) has a dedicated business resiliency web page, where you can download a copy of their Business Resiliency Guide, as well as a Business Resiliency Plan, which can be customized by small business owners to meet their specific needs. They have also launched a series of webinars targeted at small businesses. View the upcoming events to support your business. Webinar participants will also receive access to a business resiliency PDF fillable form that they can customize according to their particular needs. The Business Resiliency Toolkit, upcoming webinars and recordings of past webinars can be found here: https://wsbdc.org/protect-your-business/business-resiliency/

The NFIB offers a variety of information and tips including a webinar, at nfib.com/content/analysis/coronavirus/latest-on-coronavirus-from-nfib/

The Association of Washington Business offers COVID-19 Resources for Employers at awb.org/covid-19-resources/

Washington State's Paid Sick Leave Law (from L & I) can be found here: lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave

The Centers for Disease Control offers interim guidance for businesses and employers (including link to OSHA's guidance) at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response

The Office of the Governor has a dedicated area of their website with a COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers at  governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources/covid-19-resources-businesses-and-workers

OSHA's Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF) osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of business resources at uschamber.com/coronavirus

 
 

Specific programs from City of Sumner, City of Puyallup and Pierce County are listed below. Each has also set up dedicated pages to COVID-19:
City of Puyallup http://www.cityofpuyallup.org/1701/COVID-19-Information-and-Resources
City of Sumner: https://sumnerwa.gov/about-covid-19/
Pierce County: https://piercecountywa.gov/6759/Safe-Start

Puyallup is Open(Air) Pilot Program
As a safe way for the community to come back downtown to enjoy open-air dining and shopping while maintaining social distancing, the city wants to help businesses use a sidewalk or parking spaces to expand their business or temporarily close a side street or alleyway for a market or pop-up event. Permits will be free through the end of the pilot on October 31, 2020. All options, info sheets and links to apply can be found here: https://www.cityofpuyallup.org/1777/Puyallup-is-OpenAir-Pilot-Program

City of Sumner social media grants
A limited quantity of $250 social media grants are available to help local businesses boost social media posts. Learn more at sumnerwa.gov/social-media-grants

Pierce County grant program to help with costs related to COVID-19 safety practices Learn more at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6877/Adaptation-Grant-Program

Pierce County COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program offers loan amounts up to $10,000, based on number of employees. Businesses applying for loans under this program must be physically located in Pierce County (even in incorporated cities) have 20 or fewer employees (including business owner), and demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in revenues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. NEW: These loans may be forgiven if certain conditions are met. Learn more & apply at
https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6770/Emergency-Small-Business-Relief-Loan-Pro

Pierce County is still providing free personal protective equipment (PPE) to businesses located in the county to help protect employees and customers, via a program funded through the CARES Act. For info & to apply, visit https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6861/Request-Business-PPE