WHAT SHOULD WASHINGTON WORKERS & EMPLOYERS KNOW?
Quick tips if you're applying for the new round of Working Washington business grants.
The application for the new round of Working Washington business grants is now open. Businesses can apply for up to $20,000 to offset costs or expenses due to COVID-19. The grants are targeted primarily for small businesses with $5 million or less in annual revenue that have had to close or significantly curtail operations as a result of current or ongoing public health measures. Examples include full-service restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys, or music and event venues.
Priority will be given to applications received by Dec. 11. Some businesses have heard this grant is being processed on a first-come-first-served basis and that is causing many business owners tremendous anxiety. Don’t worry – that’s not the case! If it takes you a few days to complete the application, that’s ok. Applications received until Dec. 11 will all be considered together. If Commerce is able to fund all the eligible applicants who submit by that time, the department may be able to consider eligible applicants who submit after Dec. 11.
The Washington Small Business Development Council, which has generously been partnering with us to provide support and help to businesses applying for these grants, hosted an informational webinar earlier today and answered a lot of the most common questions and problems business owners are asking about. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
Here are five tips for businesses who want to apply.
Check the upper right hand of your internet browser window… do you see the three dots near the corner? Click the dots and you’ll see a menu appear. One of the options should be about your browser history. Depending on your browser type, that history tab should take you to a menu or option where you can clear your browsing data. If you’re having trouble finding where to do this, this article describes the steps for all browser types. If you don’t know what kind of browser you’re using, you should be able to see the name of it under the icon on your desktop screen.
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RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Webinars on business-friendly programs, business relief and more.
State agencies have partnered to bring monthly webinars presenting information specific to Washington small businesses. Webinars feature brief presentations from state and federal partners and open-mic Q&A time. The last 2020 webinar will be held on Dec. 10 at 8:30 a.m.
Click here to register online.
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HEALTH RESOURCES
Behavioral health resources for businesses
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group has been working to address the behavioral health impacts of COVID-19 by leading the statewide behavioral health response efforts, providing situational awareness on behavioral health impacts and capacity, building capacity to support long-term behavioral health needs, and providing tools and technical assistance on disaster behavioral health principles to promote emotional wellbeing. Below are some of the resources that the Group has put together over the course of this year:
New smartphone tool can help preduce spread of COVID-19
Washington Exposure Notifications (also known as WA Notify) is a new tool that works through smartphones, without sharing any personal information, to alert users if they may have been exposed to COVID-19. It is completely private, and doesn’t know or track who you are or where you go.
If another WA Notify user you've been near in the last two weeks later tests positive for COVID-19 and adds their verification code to the app, you’ll get an anonymous notification that you’ve had a possible exposure. This lets you get the care you need quickly and helps prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to the people around you. Find out how to use WA Notify here.
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SAFE START UPDATE
Gov. Inslee updates restrictions for religious and faith based organizations.
The update clarifies that religious and faith-based organizations can hold outdoor services with up to 200 individuals, regardless of location, so long as physical distancing is followed and face coverings are worn. This modification expands where outdoor services can be held, services are no longer limited to the organization’s property or an immediately adjacent property.
Read the full guidance document here.
Find a full list of current reopening guidance here.