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Bottom Line

News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

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.

City Awards an Additional 143 Grants from Small Business Stabilization Fund

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The Office of Economic Development (OED) awarded an additional 143 businesses $10,000 grants from the second round of the Stabilization Fund. In March of 2020, OED quickly launched the Stabilization Fund to allocate $2.5 million in emergency funding to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. OED received over 9,000 applications and. because the need is significantly greater than the available resources, OED did not re-open the application process for round two.—Instead, businesses were selected from the original pool of eligible applicants.  

“In the face of this unprecedented crisis, our office with the support of our City partners was able to provide emergency funding to nearly 400 small businesses throughout our City.” said Pedro Gomez, Director of Small Business Development at OED. “These grants have helped our small businesses to stay afloat over the past several months, however, there are so many businesses that are still in need of support.”  

OED prioritized businesses located in areas of the city that are at risk of high-displacement and by applied a weighted lottery system that ensured 80 percent of the recipients were from those areas of the city. As a result, nearly 75 percent of the recipients from this second round identified as people of color.  

The City is working closely with our philanthropic partners to secure funding for future grants. Those interested in donating to the Stabilization Fund can do so by  emailing covidpledge@seattle.gov.  Businesses throughout Seattle are encouraged to monitor the OED website for updated information and any future announcements.  

The full list of grantees for the second round of the Small Business Stabilization Fund is below: 

Grantees of the second round of the Stabilization Fund.

#SupportSeattleSmallBiz Spotlight: ‘Support the ID’ Virtual Community & Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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Mural on Jade Garden | Photo Credit: Annie Tran  

Since 1977, the United States has observed May as Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. May was originally chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese individuals and families to the United States, and the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. 

As our country observes Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month, this week’s #SupportSeattleSmallBiz Spotlight highlights a collective community effort  to support Asian and Pacific Islander businesses in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID).  

View of the Chinatown-International District down King Street | Photo Credit: Sharon H Chang

The CID is a vital and unique part of the Seattle community, a place of rich cultural history, and a cultural and historic home for many Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Across our region, it is known for its many incredible restaurants and other vibrant small businesses.  

Storefront in CID | Photo Credit: Sharon H Chang 

Earlier this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, xenophobia fueled fears that businesses  in the CID were no longer safe for patrons. Xenophobic fears and hysteria associated with Asian and Pacific Islander Americans are part of a legacy of racism and exclusion that has impacted Seattle’s CID. 

‘Support the ID – Community United’ Facebook Group Administrator | Sarah Baker 

Sarah Baker, born and raised in Seattle, social justice advocate, and program manager at Communities Rise, has close connections with the CID. Sarah grew up near the CID and her grandmother worked at the local Uwajimaya. As the impacts of the pandemic grew, so did her concern for the CID’s small businesses.  “If we physically can’t dine at the restaurants, what can we do?” She wondered, “how can we support businesses?”

On March 8, what originally began as a simple Facebook post on her personal account to promote businesses in the CID has grown into the “Support the ID – Community United” page.  

Teaming up with her friend Bill Tashima, along with another of their mutual friends, their collective efforts helped create an online community dedicated to supporting the businesses of the CID. Since its formation, the Facebook group has gained nearly 1,000 new members a day, and now has more than 19,000 members. 

“Support the ID – Community United” has become a virtual community for residents to share the many ways they are supporting local Asian and Pacific Islander businesses in the CID, and build a sense of connection during this era of physical distancing. Discussions range from where to get their favorite dim sum, strategies for supporting businesses impacted by vandalism and crime, to advocating against anti-Asian sentiment and model minority stereotypes.  

The community’s positive response has far surpassed Sarah’s expectations. Many businesses report overwhelming support from patrons. Not only can customers share their support for local businesses they care about, restaurants like Jade Garden, Purple Dot, and Rainier BBQ are now able to express their gratitude and communicate with customers more directly.

Food from Purple Dot Cafe | Photo Credit: Carol Xie

“To us, Purple Dot is a small piece of a greater puzzle: the Seattle International District’s Chinatown community. Our community is made of many small businesses who have been here for generations after generations; it is made up of the individuals and the families that have made the ID a part of their daily lives, and it is made up of the unwavering support and sense of community that we have been given, even before COVID-19 began,” says Carol Xie from Purple Dot Cafe. 

Xie explains, “During this time of hardship, while many of us are battling with the decision of whether or not we can pay the bills next month, we have each other, in this community, to rely on. We thank each and every one of you for your support, and even more so now. We are truly grateful for and humbled by the ID’s community in allowing us to keep our doors open each and everyday.” 

 “Support the ID – Community United” has reached users beyond Seattle, and has influenced communities in Renton and White Center to create similar support pages for local businesses. Businesses such as XCJ, a xiaolong bao company in Bellevue, have attributed the overwhelming community support they have received in part from this group—noting the page’s critical role in helping them keep their doors open.  

Beyond serving as an online community, Sarah asked, “how else can we harness this energy?”

The ‘Support the ID’ group raised beyond their GoFundMe goal|Photo Credit: ‘Support the ID – Community United’ Facebook Group 

Soon, she created a GoFundMe page to generate financial support for front-line health care workers in addition to small businesses. Funds raised have been used to purchase meals from small businesses in the CID, and then donated to front-line workers at nearby clinics and hospitals serving COVID-19 patients. Organizers hoped to raise at least $5,000, and the fundraising was so successful that they decided to cap it at $15,000 and contribute the additional funds to a local nonprofit. So far, over $16,000 has been raised. 

The additional funds are being reinvested in the community by supporting the organization Asian Referral and Counseling Service’s (ACRS), and their annual “Walk for Rice” fundraiser, which provides culturally familiar foods to local food banks for immigrants, refugees, elders, and families throughout King County.  

As the community has stepped in to help keep the doors of many businesses open, the City has continued to expand its programs designed to support businesses in the CID and address barriers they may face. 

The Office of Economic Development’s ‘Only in Seattle’ program works closely with community-based organizations in the CID. Partners like the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA), Seattle Chinatown-International District Public Development Authority (SCIDpda), and Friends of Little Saigon (FLS) have helped connect businesses to resources such as the Small Business Stabilization Fund and access to in-language assistance with their Small Business Administration loans. Many of the CID’s restaurants are also included in the City’s #SupportPugetSoundSmallBiz map, which helps residents find small businesses providing takeout or delivery. 

SDOT’s food pick-up priority signage | Photo Credit: Annie Tran

Working with Mayor Durkan’s team, many other City departments are working to support the CID in the face of the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) recently created new food pick-up zones outside restaurants throughout Seattle.

These zones have made it easier for customers to pick up takeaway orders in the CID and across Seattle, which have increased over the last several weeks. Starting this week, SDOT is adding 15-minute curbside pick-up zones to support retail businesses that are open for curbside delivery. Restaurant and retail business owners can request pick-up zones by contacting SDOT at 206-684-ROAD or e-mail 684-ROAD@seattle.gov. 

“Support the ID — Community United” is just one example of the many innovative ways community members have used technology and other resources to support small businesses, the backbone of our economy, in the face of the major impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sara explains that Seattleites can do their part to help businesses and organizations in the CID by “supporting ACRS’ Walk for Rice fundraiser and supporting InterimCDA,” which fund raises to purchase food for elders who are unable to leave their homes.

This May, we all have an opportunity to honor API Heritage month by continuing to learn about  the many contributions API individuals and communities have made to society, and by supporting local businesses in the CID, a place whose vibrant culture we must maintain, and a place whose small businesses we must help thrive into the future.

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Resources Roundup: 5/6/20

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Open for takeout during Stay Home, Stay Healthy | Photo by Casey Rogers

The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to keeping you updated about new developments in these rapidly changing times. In this weekly blog, we’ll provide you with news and information about new policies and resources available from the City of Seattle, the State of Washington, the federal government, and our private and philanthropic partners. For a full guide to available resources, please visit our online resources hub at: http://www.seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development/covid-19.

City of Seattle News & Resources

Mayor Durkan Extends Moratorium on Residential, Nonprofit, and Small Business Evictions until June 4

Mayor Durkan signed an Executive Order to extend the moratorium on residential, nonprofit, and small business evictions in the City of Seattle until June 4, 2020. The extension follows Proclamation 20-19.1 issued by the Governor, which extends the statewide ban to June 4, 2020.

“The moratorium on evictions is one critical tool we have at the City to keep people in their homes and keep businesses afloat. It was one of the first measures we took to bring relief to our City and why it is critical to maintain during this unprecedented time. These efforts, coupled with our work over the last two months to provide immediate financial relief to working people and small businesses, are critical to helping our communities weather this storm.”

Mayor Jenny Durkan

Read more here.

Office of Economic Development Expands In-Language Assistance for SBA Loan Technical Assistance

  • AJ Cari
  • Danielle Hursh
  • Jennifer Tam
Some of the OED staff who are ready to help

OED is offering in-language SBA disaster loan technical assistance for the PPP and EIDL loans in languages, including Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, and more

If you are interested in receiving assistance, please e-mail OED@seattle.gov or call 206-684-8090. If you reach the voicemail, please tell us:

  • Your name
  • Your phone number
  • The language you need (in English)
  • What kind of support you need

If you need language assistance, a bilingual staff member will call you back or we will call in a third-party interpreter on the phone to assist with the conversation.  Please note that OED is receiving a high volume of requests for assistance, so you may also experience a wait time while connecting to an interpreter.

City of Seattle Expands Small Business Map, Launches #SupportPugetSoundSmallBiz Map with Partners across the Region

On April 28, the City of Seattle and 20 partner cities and counties launched the #SupportPugetSound SmallBiz map, which currently includes 2,600 restaurants and other businesses across Puget Sound that are open for take-out, delivery, and more. You can learn more and use the map here.

If you would like to add your business to the #SupportPugetSoundSmallBiz map, please e-mail supportsmallbiz@seattle.gov.

Don’t Forget to Register for our OED Small Business Webinar!

OED is committed to supporting our small businesses as we work together to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. We are holding weekly webinars to share new developments, hear about the impacts you are experiencing, and answer your questions. Please join us every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Register for the webinars here.

Register Now for OED Food Business Orientations

Join Jennifer Tam, OED’s Food Business Advocate, on May 13 at 2:00 p.m. to learn how the permitting and licensing process works for residents who want to open or expand a food business. Information about operating during the COVID-19 period also will be covered.

Click here to register.

Federal Aid Update: $135 Billion Remains in Paycheck Protection Program & Economic Injury Disaster Loan Portal Reopens

Paycheck Protection Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on Monday, May 4 that there was approximately $135 billion in funding for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). You can find the information you’ll need to provide to the bank for a PPP loan application on our website, and download an application here.

If you lead a nonprofit with paid staff, the nonprofit organization 501 Commons is seeking your input on their survey to help them advocate to federal and state policymakers for solutions that work for nonprofits. They are also offering support in applying for PPP loans. Click here to take the survey, and click here to learn about their PPP application assistance for nonprofits.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

The SBA also announced that it had reopened the application portal for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for certain applicants.

Businesses that submitted a COVID-19 EIDL application prior to March 30 and have a “2” as the lead number in their application confirmation number must reapply using the new streamlined online application for their application to be processed. Although the SBA website indicates that the EIDL is currently open for agribusiness only, the SBA has confirmed that applicants with a 200-series EIDL loan number WILL be able to re-apply online and have their new loan number tied to their original loan number so they don’t lose their place in line. Click here to access the EIDL application.

Applicants who received a “3” on their 10-digit EIDL application confirmation number have successfully applied using SBA’s new streamlined application and the SBA is processing the application. Businesses will be notified directly when the loan is approved. SBA information and the latest updates from the SBA can be found at www.sba.gov/coronavirus.

In addition, agribusinesses, which were excluded in the first round of EIDL funding, can now apply. Eligible businesses can apply here.

OED continues to provide technical assistance to businesses applying for SBA loans and understanding the CARES Act. This includes helping businesses navigate the application process and documentation. For inquiries, please email OED@seattle.gov or call 206-684-8090.

State of Washington News & Resources

Governor Inslee’s “Safe Start Washington”

Governor Inslee, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, has developed a phased approach to opening our state economy called “Safe Start Washington,” and the state has begun issuing guidelines for reopening businesses. You can find more information about this phased recovery plan here.

Businesses listed in each phase of the plan will have industry-specific guidance and safety criteria developed to ensure workplace safety and public health are maintained. Those business activities are not authorized to open until the industry-specific guidance and safety criteria are issued.

Beginning May 5, Phase 1 of the Safe Start plan will include drive-in spiritual services with one household per vehicle, auto/RV/boat/ORV sales, retail open for curb-side pick-up orders, car washes, landscaping, and pet walking. Businesses may only re-open when they are able to fully comply with the industry-specific requirements that will be issued no later than May 15, 2020.Find more information about how the state is supporting businesses and workers through this transition here.  

Business Signage Toolkits

The State Department of Health also has compiled a Business Signage Toolkit that includes printable posters and other resources to support businesses and customers through the  recovery.

State Business Tax Filing Extension

The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) is offering extensions and waived penalties on tax fillings for businesses affected by COVID-19. The DOR will work with businesses that request an extension on tax filing. Businesses can request such an extension prior to the due date of the tax return, and, if granted, a business would be allowed to delay reporting and paying taxes. DOR may also waive penalties under limited circumstances if a business is late in paying its tax obligation. For more information, please contact DOR at 360.705.6705.

Unemployment Benefit Charge Relief

Employers may be eligible for relief of benefit charges if the employer needs to shut down operations temporarily because a worker becomes sick and other workers need to be isolated or quarantined as a result of COVID-19. For more information, click here.

SharedWork Program

The SharedWork program allows employers to reduce the hours of permanent and hourly-paid employees by as much as 50 percent, and employees can collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages. While on the SharedWork program, employees are not required to make an active search for work. To apply, click here. 

Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Private Resources

Career Connect WA Hosts Daily Q&A Online Discussions With Industry Leaders

Join industry leaders for a series of online discussions with a live Q & A every weekday in May beginning at 3:30 p.m.. Watch upcoming sessions with Zillow, Uber, and MOD Pizza. Learn more here: https://www.careerconnectathome.org/

Free Webinar on COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits

Please join the Unemployment Law Project’s weekly Monday webinars as presenters answer questions live from the public about how COVID-19 is affecting unemployment benefits. This webinar is open to the general public. Register here for Unemployment Law Project’s webinar.

Polish Your Resume and Job Finding Skills

Jobscan, a founded tech company based in SODO, is launching a free webinar series throughout May to help individuals polish their resumes and job finding skills in these challenging times.

Register and view the webinar schedule here.

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Warning: Scammers Targeting Small Business Owners Applying for Loans

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Young cafe owner standing in front of counter with arms crossed.

The City of Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) is warning small businesses about scammers seeking to prey on the small business community that has already been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. OED has received numerous reports of scammers posing as either lenders or third-party providers offering to assist businesses with their federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications.

It is maddening that someone would prey on small businesses during this difficult time. Anyone can be victimized by a COVID-19 scam. OED is willing and ready to support businesses through this pandemic and on the road to recovery. We urge small businesses to be vigilant in who they disclose information to and ask them to report potential scammers to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

Bobby Lee, Director of the Office of Economic Development

If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of your SBA loan in exchange for payment up front or by someone offering a high interest rate on a small business loan, you should suspect fraud. There is no fee or charge in applying for SBA loans, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief. Any small business has an opportunity to apply for these federal loans, free of charge.

OED offers free SBA technical assistance to all businesses looking to apply for an SBA loans, including EIDL, PPP, SBA Express Bridge Loan, and SBA Debt relief. Businesses can call OED at (206) 684-8090 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email OED at oed@seattle.gov anytime and receive free assistance. When you call, you can ask for an interpreter. This assistance is free.

Predatory scams tend to target immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses, taking advantage of either language barriers or misinformation.

If contacted by a scammer, OED recommends businesses report scams to the Washington State Office of Attorney General, by calling 1-800-551-4636 from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by completing a claim at https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/ComplaintForm.aspx.

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#SupportSeattleSmallBiz Feature: Nirmal’s Owner Oliver Bangera Is Committed to His Team

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Photo of front of Nirmal's restaurant with lights inside in the background.
Nirmal’s brought fine Indian dining to downtown Seattle

Oliver and Gita Bangera opened their restaurant Nirmal’s in Pioneer Square in December 2015, and Oliver explains that he “wasn’t sure at the start whether there would be a market for a fine dining-restaurant serving Indian food.” But people loved it, and the location became a popular and highly regarded lunch and dinner spot for downtown workers and the community. They earned accolades from food critics and the media and were serving, on average, 240 customers each day with the support of their excellent team led by star chef Ashish Bagul.

Chef Ashish Bagul and one of the plates he created

By January and February of 2020, they had nearly doubled their sales relative to a year earlier, and were weeks away from launching their expansion to three more locations with Executive Chef Ashish Bagul in full swing designing and developing the menu concepts.

Photo of prawns with garnish on white plate.
Chef Bagul designs food that’s both delicious and beautiful

They had already signed leases on the new locations—including a commercial kitchen in Factoria and the former California Pizza Kitchen in Bellevue near the Microsoft campus – and expected to employ a total of 200 people. “We thought we were unstoppable,” Oliver said.

Unexpected shift in direction

Photo of Oliver Bangera in yellow shirt
Oliver Bangera at a celebration for his nephew’s wedding | Photo courtesy of Gita Bangera

Their plans to open the new locations in March came to an abrupt halt with the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has Nirmal’s suffered serious financial damage, but, Oliver says, “our plans have taken a massive hit. Now we’re just sitting here waiting.”

He explains that as they anticipated the expansion, they created spreadsheets modeling every potential business scenario they could think of, such as experiencing a 15-25 percent loss in business due to economic recession or unforeseen circumstances. “We ran all the numbers, to make sure” future revenue models and projections were viable. However, he says wryly, “you don’t ever expect it to be zero. There’s no way to prepare for the current situation created by COVID-19.” He isn’t sure they will be able to open the new locations by August as originally planned but he intends to keep pushing forward.

For now, Oliver is focused on taking care of their 22 employees and finding ways to help the community during this time of crisis. While they’ve temporarily suspended lunch service, they are doing 25-30 takeout dinners a day. Nirmal’s is open for curbside pick-up daily from 5:30-9:30, and people can order by calling the restaurant (206) 683-9701 or ordering through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Postmates.

In the last two weeks, they’ve also started delivering food to sustain hospital employees who are working long hours in partnership with the nonprofit, Off Their Plate.

Commitment to the team

Oliver and Gita Bangera with some of their staff, all wearing facemasks.
Oliver and Gita with some of the Nirmal’s team, who are now preparing hospital deliveries

No matter what happens, Oliver says, they are maintaining core principles and priorities. First and foremost, they’re totally dedicated to caring for the employees, who are “family.” He says he’ll continue “doing what I can. You have to do that. You can never lose your values. I’m only as good as my team.” He’s planning to stay open as long as possible, share all income, and provide whatever wages he can, along with health insurance for everyone, which is a key commitment.

He’s proud of the fact that from the day they launched their business – long before they became profitable and years before he was paying himself a salary – they were providing health benefits for the team. This must continue, he says, because “lives are at stake.” He explains, “in the middle of a pandemic, there’s no way I can stop. I have to keep paying [health care] premiums.” Whereas he usually pays 80 percent and the employees pay the balance, now, he reports, “I am paying 100 percent. They are victims of this situation due to no fault of their own.”

Challenges for our immigrant neighbors

USA permanent resident card (Green Card) with Employment Authorization card next to passports and fingerprints
The COVID-19 pandemic has created particular hardships for some immigrants

Oliver immigrated to the United States from India over 30 years ago. Like most restaurant owners he knows, a high percentage of his staff also are immigrants. He estimates that in restaurant work around the country, 60-70 percent of workers were born outside of the United States. The COVID-19 crisis has created unique dilemmas for those in varying stages of the immigration and naturalization process, which Oliver says, “is something people just don’t talk about” publicly.

Those who have work permits and have paid into unemployment are being told by their immigration lawyers not to apply for the unemployment benefits they are legally entitled to because “it will go against you when your immigration case comes up.” Several of his employees are in this situation.

[NOTE: According to the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA), as an earned benefit, Unemployment Insurance is not a benefit that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services considers when determining green card eligibility under the March 2020 public charge rule. You can learn more at OIRA’s public charge page here.] 

Oliver worries that across the country, people are “slipping through the cracks. They have no voice, and there is no discussion in social media of these people who – through no fault of their own – are in an absolutely desperate situation. It’s not just one or two. It’s many.” These are the kind of employees, the “most vulnerable,” that Oliver is committed to helping. He says simply, “I need enough revenue and cash to take care of them.” He’s continued to explore all options and opportunities, including applying for every available state and federal loan.

Finding a path forward

Instagram image from Off Their Plate
The nonprofit Off Their Plate is helping restaurants and health care workers simultaneously

Oliver was encouraged last week when Nirmal’s was approached to start providing nutritious meals for hospital workers in the King County area through a program called Off Their Plate. This grassroots organization helps connect restaurants and health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. A Nirmal’s customer who is the Seattle coordinator for Off Their Plate contacted Oliver, and he jumped at the opportunity to contribute.

Oliver and Gita Bangera delivering food to one of the hospitals.
Oliver and Gita delivering food at one of the hospitals

Last week, Nirmal’s served 150 meals to the hospitals and they plan to serve 200 more this week. They are serving “proper meals,” Oliver says, that are “protein rich, healthy, and mild – the kind of food you’d eat after fasting.” Served in compostable containers, the hospital staff get a starter, a main course, and a dessert at no cost to them. Off Their Plate helps offset some of the cost through the generous donors who support the participating local restaurants. To help support this effort, donate here.

Oliver and Gita Bangera delivering food to staff at Swedish Hospital's Cherry Hill location.
Medical workers at Swedish Hospital’s Cherry Hill campus receiving nutritious lunches

Oliver explains that in India when there’s a war, natural disaster, or some other kind of community crisis, people get together and cook for the soldiers or whomever is affected by the events. He says, “every school kid who grows up in India” is familiar with this social norm and “knows this is what you do.” He asserts, “this pandemic is akin to that.” Oliver was profoundly touched when each of his employees volunteered to work without pay to help prepare and deliver the large hospital orders. It was inspiring, he says, that even as they were going through difficult times themselves, “everyone on the team said, ‘let’s do this!’”

Sources of hope

Medical staff at Swedish Hospital First Hill celebrate with Oliver and Gita

Reflecting on his team’s attitude, Oliver notes, “it’s one thing to be generous when you have a lot, but another when you are struggling yourself. Our Nirmal’s team members don’t know how long [the pandemic] will go on and yet each one offered to do that cooking for free. These kids are going through very tough times but can think beyond their own misery and think about our community.” Oliver believes there’s a “real silver lining” in all this. “It’s brought out the best in our team, and I’ve learned a lot as it’s gone on.”

He particularly compliments his chef, Ashish Bagul, for keeping in touch with everyone and helping keep their spirits up. When Oliver questioned whether it was feasible to start work at 5 a.m. in order to meet one hospital’s requested delivery time, the chef simply said, “we’ve agreed to support this, so we will do it.”

Chef Ashish Bagul and Oliver Bangera with prepared delivery bags

For the time being, Oliver is drawing from personal savings to help pay for daily supplies, which he picks up personally from Costco and Restaurant Depot. He’s also helping to pay rent and buy groceries, medicine, and other essentials for some of his staff. He explains, “You have to make a decision: ‘yes, we’ll take a beating. Let’s take a beating together. Let’s stand by our team, our family, and let’s go through this together.’” He hopes they’ll all come out the other side, but regardless, he says, “it feels good to know you’re not alone, you have others with you. There’s comfort in that. We will see it through together.”

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#SupportSeattleSmallBiz Spotlight: Chef Tarik’s Transformative Community Work

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Chef Tarik’s apron reflects his personal and business ethos | Photo courtesy of Quinn Russell Brown

Meet Feed the People owner and founder Chef Tarik Abdullah (aka Cooka T), who has a boundless passion for food and for supporting his community. The lifelong cook is also a youth mentor and culinary educator, well-known pop-up event creator, and community visionary. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s teamed up with other local restaurant owners to form a collective that’s serving people free meals throughout Southeast Seattle . Read more about Chef Tarik’s background and work in this Seattle Refined story or watch him on this KING5 feature.

Before the COVID-19 crisis

Chef Tarik in the kitchen with children.
Cooka T in his element with the kids | Photo and video by Jessica Rycheal

Chef Tarik has been hosting pop ups in Seattle since 2014. Before the virus struck, he was “right in process of unveiling my new junior culinary program.” He notes that “Pop ups work as a classroom; you get inquiries from kids that want to cook. So I wanted to start that.” For more than two decades, he has been working with kids and providing mentoring and opportunities. His deep commitment to youth follows from his father’s example: “I took my father’s footsteps and moved forward.” His plan for the culinary program is on hold, at least for now, because of COVID-19.

Response to the Pandemic

Creative takeout meal Chef T made
One of the creative takeout meals Chef Tarik made recently | Photo courtesy of Tarik Abdullah

Yet Chef Tarik hasn’t let that stop his inspirational work in the community. He explains that about a week after the pandemic started, he partnered up with a group of other local chefs and restaurants — including Kristi Brown (That Brown Girl Cooks), Melissa Miranda (Musang), Cam Hanin (Guerilla Pizza Kitchen), Geo Quibuyen and Chera Amlag (Hood Famous Bakeshop), and Guitar (Sugar Hill)  – to form the kitchen collective. Their goal is to provide “prepared meals and donated food that we give out to the public for those in need – no cost and no questions asked.” You can read more about this inspiring effort in a recent Eater Seattle feature.

Looking out the window of Soulful Dishes
Soulful Dishes has provided space for Chef Tarik’s Feed the People initiative | Photo courtesy of Tarik Abdullah

Each day, Chef Tarik can be found cooking out of Jimaine Miller’s Soulful Dishes kitchen at 1800 E Yesler Way, across the street from Tiny Village, where “they don’t usually get hot food.” He says his choice of locations was partly influenced by the fact that there was “no other representation by community kitchen participants in the CD, and so there was a clear need.” He says “the biggest challenge for me was getting the kitchen and space set up” in order to provide free meals for walk-ups, while Jimaine (aka Def Chef) also provided takeout for traditional customers.

They figured it out so that Chef Tarik now has a warmer set up outside the restaurant “so people can just walk up and get a meal from me.” In addition to serving takeout meals from the restaurant, Jimaine also provides a lunch program for kids. The partnership is working well.

The day-to-day

Photo of Jimaine Miller's kitchen with pots, pans, ovens, and prep surfaces.
Jimaine Miller’s kitchen set up for the day’s work | Photo courtesy of Tarik Abdullah

Chef Tarik starts work at 6 or 7 a.m. and doesn’t leave until about 8 p.m. He opens at 10 a.m. for breakfast then switches to lunch meals at noon. He says he’s cooking and serving 85-100 meals each day, Monday through Friday, from 10-6 “provided we don’t sell out.” He makes up “all the hot food in warmers, scoops, puts a lid on it, and it’s out the door. Nothing is cold. We’re serving anyone who needs food; [all they have to do is] call or walk up to the door.”

Chef Tarik explains that every day is a new culinary adventure. He’s receiving donations for this effort from “restaurants, other chefs, neighbors and locals, food banks,” and a variety of other sources He never knows exactly what he’ll be cooking for the day because it depends on what has arrived. He notes “it’s like ‘Chopped’ – hmm, what are we going to do today? What are we going to do with this? It’s like a dream!”

Plates and bowls of food
A few of the innovative dishes Chef Tarik has served | Photo courtesy of Tarik Abdullah

He loves the variety and the unexpected opportunities to be creative. On Thursday, he had just received a large donation of apples and oranges and was imagining what he might do with them during our interview. “Maybe hand pies,” he mused. The most creative recent thing he remembered making was a “cinnamon croissant bread pudding with strawberry compote, coconut yogurt, and jasmine caramel — with fried plantain chips on top.”

What’s next

Chef T in the kitchen starting work
Each new day provides new opportunities for Chef Tarik | Photo courtesy of Tarik Abdullah

While he’s working longer hours than before the pandemic struck, Chef Tarik notes that the challenges created by the current situation have provided real growth opportunities. He’s morphed from being a “pop up guy to running a restaurant” in the course of a few weeks. Among other options, forming the collective has opened the door to doing more food policy work in the future. He also imagines what else he might do with the skills he’s developing, explaining “I can stick to all this or I can start my program and open up a space. The culinary program for kids is still my dream.”

For now, Chef Tarik will carry on cooking and serving hot food, while also working to ensure that they receive the 600 pounds of weekly food donations they need to continue serving 100 meals a day. Reflecting on a takeaway message he’d like to give the community, he says, “Thank you to every single restaurant and everyone that’s donated: financially and non-financially. I’m glad everyone came together to help each other out. This is a beautiful thing to see so many of us on the same page.”

To donate to his work or to order food, you can reach Chef Tarik through his website or by phone (206) 605-0159.

Mayor Jenny Durkan Announces Initial 250 Grantees of the Small Business Stabilization Fund

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“At the City, we’re doing everything we can locally to support our small businesses and workers during this unprecedented moment in history. Working together in the early days of this crisis, we quickly created this $2.5 million Small Business Stabilization Fund, which has become a model for cities across our country.”

Mayor Jenny Durkan

Earlier today, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced the initial 250 grantees of the City’s $2.5 million Small Business Stabilization Fund.

The fund provides $10,000 grants to small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19. Nearly 9,000 small businesses applied for the first round of the City’s Small Business Stabilization Fund, demonstrating that the need goes far beyond what the City can provide without further support from the private sector, philanthropic partners, and economic relief from the federal government.

With loans and grants available at the state and federal level, OED has also created a comprehensive resource page for workers and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and is providing technical assistance to support our small businesses

Find a complete list of grantees for the initial round of the Small Business Stabilization Fund here.

Cities across the country — including San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City — have reached out to learn more about the Stabilization Fund and try to replicate this model in their own communities. On April 1, Mayor Durkan signed into law her legislation to ensure the City of Seattle can accept donations, including for initiatives like supporting small businesses through stabilization funding and for families via food vouchers.

Comcast donates $50,000 to support next round of Small Business Stabilization Fund

“I am grateful to Comcast for their commitment to help fund further rounds of the Stabilization Fund and support the small businesses that make Seattle the best city in the country.”

Mayor Jenny Durkan

Comcast has donated $50,000 to address the urgent need for future rounds of the Stabilization Fund. This investment will help ensure the Office of Economic Development (OED) can continue providing direct capital assistance to small business owners struggling to support their employees and stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested individuals and organizations can donate to the Stabilization Fund by emailing covidpledge@seattle.gov.

Rodrigo Lopez, Regional Senior Vice President of the Comcast Washington region, said “We recognize the important role that small businesses play in our economy and our community. Now more than ever they need our support and we are pleased to do our part. We also know that internet service is essential and are working hard every day to ensure that our network is helping both businesses and residents across of our community keep connected.”

The Mayor explained, “With nearly 9,000 small businesses applying to the first round of the Stabilization Fund, it’s clear that the need far outweighs what the City can provide to our small businesses.

“I urge all those who are able to support future rounds of this fund, and also support our small businesses by ordering pickup, delivery, or shopping online during this unprecedented time. While we to do everything we can at the City level to support small businesses, I will continue to advocate at the state and federal level to ensure our region receives the economic relief we need, both now and as we recover.”

City of Seattle actions and the critical role of state and federal resources

The City also recently launched the #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, which helps residents find small businesses providing takeout or delivery in their neighborhood. The map allows users to search for open small businesses in their neighborhood and navigate directly to a business’ website or third-party delivery service page. As of April 8, 1,198 small businesses are included in the map, which has been viewed 185,000 times. If you’re a business owner interested in adding your information to the #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, please contact the City at supportsmallbiz@seattle.gov.  

Mayor Durkan and the City of Seattle have worked to implement a series of actions that support artists, nonprofits, small businesses, and workers, including:  

As the City does everything it can to support small businesses, Mayor Durkan and the City of Seattle continue to advocate at the state and federal level to ensure our region receives the economic relief we need, both now and as we recover.

City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Distribute Survey to Measure Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Region’s Businesses and Non-Profits

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Results Will Help Inform Strategies for Regional Economy Recovery and Maximizing State and Federal Aid

PRESS CONTACT
Kelsey Nyland, Office of the Mayor
Email: kelsey.nyland@seattle.gov

SEATTLE, WA – The City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce announced today they are distributing an Economic Impact Survey (www.greater-seattle.com/economic-impact-survey) to further capture the effects of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, on businesses and non-profits in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.  The Economic Impact Survey will identify early local and regional effects of COVID-19, inform strategies for regional economic recovery and development, and maximizing and allocating badly-needed federal and state recovery aid.

For businesses and non-profits interested in completing the survey, go to, www.greater-seattle.com/economic-impact-survey

Initial quantitative data and qualitative information shows that small businesses, non-profit organizations, arts, and workers in the Seattle region are experiencing significant negative financial impacts due to the COVID-19. Local businesses and non-profits have reported 50 – 90 percent revenue losses, laid off employees, reduced hours, temporary or permanent closures, xenophobia, and major declines in foot traffic as tens of thousands of people are being asked to work from home and practice social distancing. Industries that are most impacted include retail, restaurants and hospitality, transportation and logistics, as well as arts, large festivals and cultural events.

“We hope that employers and non-profits of every size will complete the survey. From small businesses to large employers, we need your stories to help inform our recovery strategy and maximize both state and federal aid that is so critical,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Whether it is making the hard decisions to work remotely, reduce hours, lay off employees, postpone events, or temporarily close, your voices tell Seattle’s story in reacting to these unprecedented times, and will shape how our city recovers. The more information and stories we have, the faster we can receive aid and begin our economic recovery.”

“The Survey results will be critical to maximize state and federal support and direct local resources to save jobs and get back to business as soon as possible,” said Greater Seattle Partners CEO Brian P. McGowan. “We urge all businesses and non-profits organizations in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to share their economic impacts so we can quickly and effectively request emergency funding.”

“This is a transformational moment for our society and economy. As the virus spreads, so too will the economic impact,” said Markham McIntyre, EVP of the Chamber. “To design a solution to meet the problem, we need to understand how deeply the outbreak is impacting our regional economy, especially the most vulnerable businesses and workers. Please fill out the survey and share your stories.”

“We need to understand the economic impact of our regional economy during this unprecedented time,” said Office of Economic Development Director Bobby Lee. “By measuring the economic impact of COVID-19, we will better understand our short and long-term solutions. This will also give us the data and information we need to build a come-back economy where everyone is included.”  

“We know our arts and cultural sector is hurting and we are doing everything we can to help them through this crisis,” said Randy Engstrom, Director Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. “We rise and fall together, which is why it’s so important that we are all counted and included in this regional economic recovery effort.”

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The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is an executive office of City of Seattle municipal government. OED creates a vibrant economy, benefiting the whole city by promoting access to economic opportunities for all of Seattle’s diverse communities. For more information about OED’s programs, visit our website at www.seattle.gov/oed or email our office at oed@seattle.gov.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the city’s public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, and The Creative Advantage initiative in the effort to foster a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. In alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, we work to eliminate institutional racism in our programs, policies and practices. The Office is supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council.

Greater Seattle Partners work to attract and support businesses that create and sustain jobs across all income levels throughout the region.

The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most diverse network of influential business leaders in the Puget Sound region. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization of 2,600 businesses representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000 people. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.

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Small Business of the Month: Tribal Electric LLC

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Tribal Electric photographed with their Small Business of the Month Certificate. Photo Credit Hana Tadesse.

Tribal Electric is the only queer woman of color owned electrical company in Seattle. Owned and operated by Boo Torres and wife Jo Alcantara, the pair are the epitome of good Seattle family business if there ever was one. They are proud mothers to five beautiful children who go by Val, Amber, Char, Knuckles, and Mango. Jo is also the director of APIChaya, an organization that empowers survivors of gender- based violence and human trafficking to gain safety, connections, and wellness. Jo believes “Whats so sweet is my job is keeping people safe from domestic violence and Tribal (Electric) is about keeping people safe in their own homes through electrical and fire safety.” Boo is passionate about making people feel comfortable in their homes while she is working on making their environment safer. Women feel more comfortable with her in the home, and often feel empowered to ask questions and go about their day while she is there.

The Tribal Electric Family. Photo Credit Tribal Electric

The business began partially because of the families want to spend more time together. With five children, and Boo working as a maintenance technician for the city of Seattle, the ability to find coverage for sick days with the kids was few and far between, especially with two new toddlers. Another large part of the reason for moving into independent contracting being that Torres wanted to provide more opportunity for electricians like her. When creating Tribal Electric, she made sure to be unionized as the company is not just a two-woman show. They are joined by Ryder, a trans native man who has had the opportunity to apprentice with Torres.

“We want to provide training that others don’t have access to. For women in the trade. People who don’t have a lot of access to mentorship in the field because it’s run by people who don’t look like us. What about those of us who don’t have a dad or a grandfather passing these things along? those of us breaking boundaries and barriers? There has to be a place for us to learn and train.” Says Torres.

Boo Torres on the job. Photo Credit Tribal Electric.

Congratulations are in order for our amazing Small Business of the Month, February. If you want to learn more about Tribal Electric, Click on the link here to watch a video about them created by Tulalip News. If you would like to support the amazing work APIChaya does, please consider attending their 2020 gala on April 25th, tickets can be found on their website. Tribal Electric is capable of electrical work in commercial and residential buildings and is also available for inspections, learn more about their services on their website. Congratulations again Tribal Electric!

If you’re interested in learning more about the Office of Economic Development’s small business services, visit our  website  or reach out to us at oed@seattle.gov.