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Experience Chehalis has compiled a list of resources for

Small Businesses impacted by COVID 19.

Experience ChehalisExperience Chehalis, Chehalis’ Main Street Program, is closely monitoring the impacts to our local businesses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. We will be updating this page with resources and information that can help our small business community get through these challenging times. We are available to help with a variety of services, please reach out to us at info@experiencechehalis.com.

 

Local Opportunities:

Updated January 13, 2021

  • Experience Chehalis is sharing updates from our local businesses adapting regular business in response to COVID-19.  Please contact us at annalee@experiencechehalis.com and share what your business is doing and we will help spread the word via social media and e-newsletters.
  • Join our closed Facebook Group, Networking with Chehalis Businesses & Organizations where we are posting new information, ideas, and opportunities as they become available.
  • Experience Chehalis is offering a Digital Marketing Grant Program providing matching funds up to $2,500 for the enhancement of downtown business’ online presence.  The grant program is being offered in 2020 to help these businesses gain a stronger position online, and help businesses that may have been damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic get back on their feet and make a strong recovery.
  • Mountain View CPAs are offering free consultations for small businesses that are in the process of applying for grants or that would like to know which grants they are qualified to receive during the COVID-19 shutdown.
  • In an effort to assist fellow local businesses suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recommended social distancing, The Chronicle will be ramping up its coverage of local establishments with a feature story in every edition beginning the week of March 15. Those interested in having their business featured at no charge should send an e-mail to news@chronline.com.
  • Voie Hype is offering an hour of consulting free to those businesses struggling due to COVID-19. Please contact them at brittany@voiehype.com.

Is your business offering a special service to help our local businesses through this unprecedented time period?  Please let us know and we can share with our community.

Lewis County Business Recovery Toolkit

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting how business functions in a variety of ways. From loss of business to remote work, things are changing quickly and businesses are being forced to adapt. The Lewis County Business Recovery Task Force offers this toolkit containing relevant resources and best practices to help you navigate this challenging time. And as this situation changes daily, this resource will continue to evolve to provide relevant information and resources.

Some of Washington’s industries are beginning to phase back into work, and others will follow in the ensuing weeks and months. While the Governor’s office will issue official guidance and rules, now is a good time for businesses to begin planning what getting back to work will entail.  

VIEW THE LEWIS COUNTY BUSINESS RECOVERY TOOLKIT

Navigating the Federal Relief Package (CARES Act)

Notice:  January 13, 2021:  The Small Business Administration has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) providing loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA has reopened the program and is currently offering First Draw Loans for first time program participants and PPP Second Draw Loans.  Find more information here. 

Notice June 17, 2020: The SBA has resumed accepting EIDL applications.

The federal relief package (CARES Act) has been signed into law. It includes $350B in forgivable loans to be administered through banks (as opposed to exclusively through the SBA – this is meant to expedite the process). The two business programs are the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan. To find information and comparison data on the two programs, visit the Lewis County EDC’s website.

 

Governor Inslee’s Plan for Phased Re-opening of Washington’s Economy

Through the Washington “Safe Start” plan, more businesses and activities would re-open in phases with adequate social distancing measures and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three weeks — data and metrics will determine when the state can move from one phase to another.

Read the full Safe Start policy plan here.

 

Guidance from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is marshaling all its resources to help companies stay afloat and keep paychecks flowing to American workers and families; mobilize the business community to combat the pandemic; and help companies prepare for a safe, successful, and sustainable reopening of the economy. Find a list of resources, webinars, research and advocacy for small businesses.

The Chamber has produced several helpful, downloadable guides:

 

For workers and businesses affected by COVID-19

If you are affected by COVID-19, Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) has programs that may be able to help. They have adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and quarantine for workers and businesses.

As of April 19, the federal CARES Act expanded unemployment benefits are available to many workers, including self-employed and workers with less than 680 hours. New information is available at esd.wa.gov/unemployment/self-employed. If you want to avoid mistakes filling out your claim, attend one of their new webinars before you start the process and download their Unemployment Benefits Application Checklist.

Learn about ESD’s Shared Work Program, a voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. For claimants to be on SharedWork, their employers must apply to participate in the program. It allows employers to reduce hours by as much as 50 percent, while their employees collect partial benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages. If approved for SharedWork, employers can request a relief of benefit charges.

There is important information to know about unemployment as our economy beings to re-open.  The Washington State Employment Securities Department offers information and a list of Q&A’s for employees going back to work and employers bring employees back.

COVID-19 Employer Resource Webinars from the Association of Washington Business

 Hear what resources are available for you and real-time, expert insights on all aspects of the crisis as we navigate how COVID-19 continues to impact our state and the economy.  Webinars are Mondays from April 20-June 22 from 10am-11am.

Resources from the WA State Department of Commerce

A web page is designed for business owners and operators to get answers to general business inquiries around financial help or other business assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak.  HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

Are you considered an “essential worker?”

Washington state launched an online form so businesses can get clarification or submit a request for inclusion as essential under Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation. The proclamation goes into effect at midnight on March 25, closing non-essential businesses for the following two weeks.

Business Relief During COVID-19 Pandemic from Washington State’s Department of Revenue

The Department of Revenue recognizes the profound impact on the businesses it serves.  Revenue is ready to do everything it can to help “businesses stay in business”. The Department’s plan is to give customers extra grace during this state of emergency and to work with business owners within the parameters of the law as much as possible.

MORE INFORMATION

Business Resiliency Toolkit

The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors working in communities across the state to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.  The Business Resiliency Toolkit will help you assess risks and make contingency plans that will enable your business to recover from the immediate threat as well as the disruptions that could continue over weeks or months.

 

Coronavirus Disease and Businesses Information for Administrators and Employees

Information on providing for the safety and health of your employees and your workplace and DOH’s official webpage on COVID-19.

COVID-19 Information from Lewis County Public Health & Social Services

Information including press releases, recommendations, and coronavirus patient counts from our local county government.

MORE INFORMATION

CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Information here contains recommendations on what businesses should do now, along with specific guides for many various industries.

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Save Small Business Grants from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Notice April 20, 2020:  Due to an overwhelming response, applications have closed.

The Save Small Business Fund via the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will be providing $5,000 grants to small businesses beginning April 20. This progra, is funded by corporate and philanthropic partners aimed at reaching small employers. To qualify, businesses must 1 1) Employ between 3 and 20 people 2) Be located in an economically vulnerable community 3) Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The application will go live on April 20th at noon.

MORE INFORMATION

Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants Announced April 7, 2020

Notice:  The application process has ended in Lewis County.

Governor Inslee is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Up to $5 million in funds are provided through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and administered by the State Department of Commerce. The grant program will provide a limited number of businesses in Washington’s 39 counties with a grant up to $10,000. Lewis County has $98,000 in funds available to disperse. Applications in Lewis County should be submitted to the Lewis Economic Development Council.  Applications will be reviewed as they are received and applicants will be accepted or denied on a rolling basis.

MORE INFORMATION