Beyond its direct health implications, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is causing massive disruption to organizations large and small worldwide. We at the Economic Development Council for Island County (EDC) take seriously the economic hardships faced by Island County businesses. We’ve compiled the following list of resources to stay on top of the latest developments as it pertains both to well-being of your employees and the operations of your business. This list of resources is being continuously updated.
Funding Options - Which program do you qualify for?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) developed a summary of Coronavirus relief options and the criteria that must be met when considering different funding options.
Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program
The USDA is currently accepting applications for the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, November 22, 2021. Approximately $650 million in funding is available for the PRS grants.
Don’t wait until the last minute. The first step in applying is getting a DUNS number which can take up to 5 days.
Once you have your DUNS number, the application takes less than 10 minutes. The application, FAQs, tip sheets, and information on how to apply is on the PRS Grant Portal. Resources are also available in Spanish on the PRS webpage.
Small businesses and nonprofits in the following industries can apply for a grant to cover COVID-related expenses such as workplace safety measures (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs:
- Specialty crop producers
- Shellfish farming, finfish farming, aquaculture, apiculture
- Specialty crop, meat, and other processors
- Distributors
- Farmers markets
Contact information for providers offering technical assistance on this grant application is available on the AMS PRS grant webpage under ‘Additional Resources’: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/prs.
COVID-19 Resources for Businesses, Employees
Loans
Small Business Administration: Disaster loan assistance Link
Small Business Administration: Lender Match helps you find lenders Link
State Department of Financial Institutions: Financial resources for Washington residents impacted by COVID-19 Link
Paycheck Protection Program: An SBA loan helping businesses keep their workforce employed Link
Business Assistance
Association of Washington Businesses: COVID-19 Employer Resources Webinar Series Link
Employment Security Department: For businesses affect by COVID-19 Link
FEMA: Starter kit for reconstituting operations Link
Island County: Latest novel coronavirus outbreak information link
Small Business Administration: Export assistance Link
Small Business Administration: Guide to the CARES Act Link
Small Business Development Center: Business survival strategies Link
Spokane Regional Health District: Cleaning for health in a business Link
State Department of Commerce: Export assistance Link
State Department of Commerce: Small business crisis planner Link
State Department of Commerce: Insurance for businesses, events Link
State Employment Security Department: Layoff assistance Link
State Department of Labor & Industries: Request a safety and health consultation Link
Washington Governor: Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers Link
Washington Governor: COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Businesses and Workers Link
Workers
Employment Security Department: For workers affected by COVID-19 Link
Employment Security Department: Eligibility Checker Link Link
State Department of Health: What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease Link
State Labor & Industries: Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) Resources Link
State: Paid family and medical leave program Link
State Employment Security Department: Layoff assistance Link