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Covid Vaccine
Today Governor Inslee announced that our state could receive the Covid-19 vaccine as early as tomorrow, Monday, December 13. If this is accurate, then Tuesday could mark the first doses given in Washington. Washington has an estimated 62,000 doses of the Pfizer Covid vaccine set for delivery. A news conference with Gov. Inslee made the…
Read MoreRollback Extension
Inslee announced, as many expected, a rollback extension beyond the original December 14 deadline. Restrictions will now extend through at least Monday, January 4. The governor’s website now states: In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are…
Read MoreNo L&I Increase for 2021
Despite the havoc that Covid has unleashed, Washington Labor and Industries announced no L&I Increase for 2021. However, rate changes may apply, depending on the type of industry and the employer. This is the 4th consecutive year in which rates have stayed the same or actually decreased. Though projections for next year’s claims suggest rate…
Read MoreSharing: Campaign from WA Retail Association
Contact Congress today Retailers need federal stimulus NOW! Contact Congress today! As the pandemic wages on, retailers need Congress to break through partisan gridlock before adjourning for the Holidays. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) calls it “inexcusable” for Congress to leave town without providing more relief. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said…
Read MoreWA Notify App
Governor Inslee announced that the state now has WA Notify, an app to assist with Covid notification. The app is free and uses Bluetooth technology and allows people to be notified if they’ve been in proximity to someone who later tests positive for COVID. Other states such as Virginia, New York and Colorado are already…
Read MoreRacial Equity Commitment from WA Employers
Corporate leaders in Washington state have been gathering data and listening to leaders in minority communities across the state. They came together as a new coalition: Washington Employers for Racial Equity. They have released a report that documents the inequities that African Americans and their families experience. While the initial focus is on Black Washingtonians,…
Read MoreAction Alert: WA Hospitality Association
The WA Hospitality Association has posted an Action Alert. They want to hear your voice, whether you are a restaurant or hotel operator, an employee, or even just a customer. The Government Affairs team is collecting stories to share with the Governor, lawmakers, and agency directors. How has this closure and COVID-19 impacted you, your…
Read MoreRollback Grant Pierce County CARES
A Rollback Grant has been established to assist local businesses impacted by recently modified restrictions to business. Businesses may receive up to $10,000 from a newly created program from Pierce County. What types of businesses are eligible for the Rollback grant? In-store retail Arts and culture establishments such as theaters, museums, and entertainment venues Fitness…
Read More$50 Million Working Washington Business Grants
The $135 million authorized by Inslee for Covid relief includes $50 million in Working Washington Business Grants. Here’s who the funding will be available to help. Priority assistance is for small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019. Additional qualifications include that those businesses are also in industries most impacted by…
Read MoreAdditional $135 Million in Covid Relief Funds
Earlier this week, when Governor Inslee announced Rollbacks and restrictions for certain industries, he pledged additional Covid relief funds. At that time the promise was for $50 million, but that has increased to $135 million. Both businesses and residents are the intended recipients of the funds, which are coming from Federal CARES Act assistance. State…
Read MoreGrassroots Advocacy
The Fife Milton Edgewood Chamber joined the Association of WA Business and dozens of other Chambers in a grassroots advocacy effort. Chambers around the state recognize the extreme hardship businesses are enduring. In light of this, the FME Chamber joined with other chamber leaders to advocate for our local businesses. Read the full content of…
Read MoreNew Rollbacks
Today Governor Inslee gave more details on the new rollbacks that he suggested in yesterday’s announcement. “In order to slow the spread of rapidly increasing COVID cases in our state and ensure that hospital and medical systems are not overwhelmed, we are taking the very difficult but necessary steps to protect public health.” The governor…
Read MoreReopening Guidelines – Updated Nov 15
We continue to update this page as information comes into the Governor’s Reopening Guidance Page. The most recent updates are in bold text. The governor’s office continues to issue reopening guidance on a regular basis and the Chamber wants this information to be convenient for you. So the links below will take you to documentation…
Read MoreInslee Ban on Indoor Dining for Restaurants
Governor Inslee addressed the state and indicated an announcement of a ban on indoor dining. The ban will begin on Wednesday November 18 and last for a minimum of 4 weeks. That means that this temporary ban for restaurants, breweries, taverns and wineries could end by December 14. The governor and his wife also encouraged…
Read MoreLegislative Breakfast
The annual Legislative Breakfast is an event where the chamber gathers information to share with our members. And it is a venue to help us champion for policies that are in the best interests of business. Like so many other events this year, it will be a virtual event and we’d like to invite you…
Read MorePort of Tacoma Virtual Tour
Prior to Covid, the Port of Tacoma offered both bus and boat tours to educate the community about the port. They invited the public to hop on a bus or a boat to learn about port through these visits. Bus tours were monthly and the boat tour was once a year. I attended both the…
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