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News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

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Small Business Update Webinar: January 28, 2021

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The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to supporting small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Highlights of our January 28 webinar session include:

  • Key elements of the new 2021 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Update
  • New tax provision and updates
  • Washington Small Business Development Center Assistance and Advising

Below are links from the January 28 webinar (please note, you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog and our website for updated information from OED.

Small Business Update Webinar: January 14, 2021

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Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to supporting small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Highlights of our January 14 webinar session include:

  • COVID-19 Public Health Update
  • Federal Loan Funding Updates: Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and Shutter Venue Operator Grants
  • Small Business Relief Updates: Eviction Moratorium Extension, Small Business Stabilization Fund and Relief for Hospitality Workers and Restaurants and Bars
  • Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Outdoor Permits for businesses, including Sidewalk Cafes, Streateries, and Parklets

Below are links from the January 14 webinar (please note, you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog for updated information from the OED.

Neighborhood Business Districts Webinar

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Small Business Resource Updates

On Monday, January 11, the Only in Seattle (OIS) team hosted a webinar with neighborhood business districts and partners to provide relevant and timely information for small businesses. This webinar focused on the reopening of the U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Disaster Injury Loan (EIDL).

Staff from OED and  the National Development Council provided an overview of the federal resources available and the latest updates to PPP and EIDL. Key changes in PPP include:

  • Applications are now open to new and previous borrowers
  • Businesses in the Accommodation and Food Services industries may receive loans of up to 3.5 times average monthly payroll
  •  Forgiveness applications are simplified  for loans less than $150,000

The webinar also provided updates on OED’s Small Business Stabilization Fund and the Seattle Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund. 

In response to COVID-19, the OIS team works to improve language access for small businesses, and coordinates with Seattle’s neighborhood business districts to provide resources for community stakeholders, businesses, property owners, and local organizations to achieve economic development outcomes determined by the community.

OIS conducts business district webinars every 2-3 weeks, answering questions and concerns businesses may have. Previous webinars include applying for a Street Closure Permit, public safety, and connecting businesses to resources. If there’s a topic or a question that neighborhood business districts would like to cover in a future webinar, please email Heidi Hall, Heidi.Hall@seattle.gov.

01.11 Neighborhood Business District Webinar Slide Deck (PDF)
01.11 Neighborhood Business District Webinar Slide Deck (PPT)

Neighborhood Business Districts Webinar – Street Closure Permits

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Gracia’s outdoor cafe expanded operations on the curbside and sidewalk in Ballard | SDOT Twitter

On Thursday, July 30, the Only in Seattle (OIS) team hosted a webinar with neighborhood business districts and partners to provide relevant and timely information for small businesses. This webinar focused on Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) Street Closure Permits. Street Closure Permits are free and are an expansion of SDOT’s Temporary Outdoor Café, Merchandise Display, and Vending Permits.

Casey Rogers and Alyse Nelson provided an overview of SDOT’s Street Closure Permits, the application process, and answer questions from neighborhood business district partners. SDOT encourages businesses and neighborhood business district partners to schedule a pre-application coaching session to understand proposals. To schedule a session, email publicspace@seattle.gov.

In response to COVID-19, the OIS team continues to work with business districts and community partners to provide resources and improve language access for small businesses. The OIS team coordinates with Seattle’s neighborhood business districts to provide resources for community stakeholders, businesses, property owners, and local organizations to achieve economic development outcomes determined by the community.

OIS conducts business district webinars every 2-3 weeks, answering questions and concerns businesses may have. Previous webinars include public safety, connecting businesses to resources, and King County Phase 2 reopening. If there’s a topic or a question that neighborhood business districts would like to cover in a future webinar, please email Heidi Hall, Heidi.Hall@seattle.gov.

Neighborhood Business Districts Webinar – Street Closure Permits Slide Deck

Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar: July 1, 2020

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OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Our weekly webinars have transitioned to every other week. In these webinars, we will hear about the impacts you are experiencing and answer your questions. Please join us for our next webinar on July 15, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Register for the webinars here.

A recording of each webinar will automatically be sent to those who registered.

Highlights of our July 1 session included:

  • Updates from Public Health – Seattle & King County
  • Public Health: Phase 2 Business Reopening Requirements
  • OED: Support for Small Businesses Reopening, including Reopening Toolkits
  • SDOT: Temporary Outdoor Cafe, Merchandise Display, and Vending Permits

Below are links from our July 1 webinar (please note: you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog for updated information from the Office of Economic Development. We’re all in this together! #SeattleTogether.

Neighborhood Business Districts Webinar – King County Phase 2 Reopening

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Jackson Building in Chinatown-International District with mural honoring victims of police brutality | Photo by Jacqueline Wu, OED.

On Thursday, June 18, the Only in Seattle (OIS) team hosted a webinar with neighborhood business districts and partners to provide relevant and timely information for small businesses. The OIS team coordinates with Seattle’s neighborhood business districts to provide resources for community stakeholders, businesses, property owners, and local organizations to achieve economic development outcomes determined by the community.

In response to COVID-19, the OIS team continues to work with business districts and community partners to provide resources and improve language access for small businesses. This webinar focused on Safe Start Washington’s Phase 2 guidance and support from King County and OED. Neighborhoods shared strategies they are implementing to support businesses through reopening.

Hugo Garcia, King County Local Services’ Economic Development Program Manager, provided an overview of Phase 2 reopening guidance and the business assistance program for businesses located in unincorporated King County. Garcia is also part of the Public Health Business Task Force.

Jennifer Tam, OED Restaurant Advocate, and Sarah Domondon, OED Small Business Advocate, provided an overview of current options for outdoor seating and temporary café permits to operate in the sidewalk or curb space in front of their business. Mike Stewart, Executive Director of Ballard Alliance, shared public space strategies Ballard is exploring and stressed the importance of getting options in place quickly to take advantage of good weather in Seattle and help many businesses decide if they can reopen at reduced capacity.

OIS conducts business district webinars every 2-3 weeks, answering questions and concerns businesses may have. Previous webinars include public safety and connecting businesses to resources. If there’s a topic or a question that neighborhood business districts would like to cover in a future webinar, please email Heidi Hall, Heidi.Hall@seattle.gov.  

6.18 Neighborhood Business District Webinar Powerpoint Slides

Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar: June 17, 2020

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Title PowerPoint slide from Webinar

OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Our weekly webinars have transitioned to every other week. In these webinars, we will hear about the impacts you are experiencing and answer your questions. Please join us for our next webinar on July 1, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Register for the webinars here.

A recording of each webinar will automatically be sent to those who registered.

Highlights of our June 17 session included:

  • Federal loan funding updates: Economic Injury Disaster Loan/Loan Advance (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP)
  • Outdoor permit options for businesses, including Sidewalk Cafes, Streateries, and Parklets
  • COVID-19 Public Health updates
  • COVID-19 Business Taskforce news, including information about Safe Start Washington and Safe Start King County

Below are links from our June 17 webinar (please note: you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog for updated information from the Office of Economic Development. We’re all in this together! #SeattleTogether.

Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar: June 3, 2020

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OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Our weekly webinars have transitioned to every other week. In these webinars, we will hear about the impacts you are experiencing and answer your questions. Please join us for our next webinar on June 17, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Register for the webinars here.

A recording of each webinar will automatically be sent to those who registered.

Highlights of our June 3 session included:

  • OED Technology Access Program
  • Seattle-King County Public Health: COVID-19 Public Health Updates​
  • Employee Security Department: ​Reopening and Bringing Employees Back to Work
  • Labor and Industries: Protecting the Safety and Health of Workers during COVID-19​
  • Update from Bobby Lee, Director of OED

Below are links from our June 3 webinar (please note: you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog for updated information from the Office of Economic Development. We’re all in this together! #SeattleTogether.

Neighborhood Business Districts Webinar on Supporting Businesses

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SDOT Flickr | Photo by Jeanne Clark

On Thursday, May 21, the Only in Seattle (OIS) team hosted a webinar with neighborhood business districts and partners to provide relevant and timely information for small businesses. The OIS team coordinates with Seattle’s neighborhood business districts to provide resources for community stakeholders, businesses, property owners, and local organizations to achieve economic development outcomes determined by the community.

In response to COVID-19, the OIS team continues to work with business districts and community partners to provide resources and improve language access for small businesses. In this webinar, Michael Wells and Jennifer Tam from the Small Business Development Team provided an update on Governor Inslee’s “Safe Start” phased reopening plan and resources for small businesses.

Neighborhood peer sharing focused on feedback business districts are hearing from businesses, top questions or concerns businesses have, and strategies businesses have adopted during the pandemic. Participants voiced the need for clear, simplified information and guidelines for re-opening that is both visual and translated. Other key topics discussed include customer education, new social behaviors due to the pandemic, technology barriers for businesses, and public safety.

Strategies that were shared by neighborhood business district partners include: 

  • Visuals and photos showing examples of compliance and guidance 
  • Continued assistance for businesses (in language) from OED into recovery phases 
  • Creative use of public spaces to allow businesses to engage in public realm  
  • E Commerce platforms and web-based strategies to help businesses 
  • Continued focus on takeout and delivery during Phase 2 
  • Buying gift cards and using them creatively, e.g. membership, giveaways, community building 
  • Extend commercial eviction moratorium and support businesses with lease/ space issues. 

Partnerships and tools to support business district recovery projects were also discussed during the webinar. Design Elements Inc. (DEI) Principal + Creative Director Sarah Greene shared their Support Local platform to create an online neighborhood marketplace. Support Local currently works with Ballard, Pioneer Square, and Capitol Hill on local online marketplaces to help businesses provide convenient online shopping experiences.  Zeacon Chief of Staff Rich Kim shared a model for experiential commerce. This includes partnerships with small businesses to create virtual experiences, as well as larger virtual community and fundraising events. 

OIS will conduct business district webinars every 2-3 weeks answering questions and concerns businesses may have. Previous webinars include public safety and connecting businesses to resources. If there’s a topic or a question that neighborhood business districts would like to cover in a future webinar, please email Heidi Hall, Heidi.Hall@seattle.gov.

5.21 Webinar Powerpoint Slides
5.21 Neighborhood Business District Webinar Notes
DEI Support Local Presentation
Zeacon Presentation

Small Business COVID-19 Weekly Webinar: 5/20/20

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OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Our weekly webinars are transitioning to every other week. In these webinars, we will hear about the impacts you are experiencing and answer your questions. Please join us for our next webinar on June 3, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Register for the webinars here.

A recording of each webinar will automatically be sent to those who registered.

Highlights of our May 20 session included:

  • COVID-19 Public Health update​s
  • ​Resources for Commercial Tenants: Commercial Lease Toolkit
  • “Seattle Protects” Marketplace launch
  • SBA Funding Updates

Below are links from our May 20 webinar (please note: you must register for the webinar in order to listen to the recording).

Please continue to monitor this blog for updated information from the Office of Economic Development. We’re all in this together! #SeattleTogether

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