Save Small Business Fund

Update: April 17, 2020, 1 pm – Upon a closer look at the program, one of the requirements is that the business be located in an “economically vulnerable community” and this is based on zip codes. Fife qualifies, but Edgewood and Milton do not. If your business is in another location, use the zip code…

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PSE continues to offer Covid Relief

It’s been less than a month since the Chamber posted a blog about how Puget Sound Energy was offering relief to customers concerned about paying their utility bills. Now, in addition to other PSE other assistance programs, they’ve announced a $11 million to assist a broader group. MEDIA RELEASE PSE offers bill assistance for customers…

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Virtual Business Information meeting with Denny Heck

Many thanks to Congressman Denny Heck for joining us on our Virtual Business Information call today via Zoom. We appreciate that he took the time to connect with our members and to answer questions. Thank you too, to all the FME chamber members who joined in and participated in the call. You can see the…

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Applying for PPP

Updated April 15, 2020 The U.S. Treasury Department updated the FAQs on PPP yesterday. It now includes answers to 28 questions. Check out the online version of the PDF which can be found (and is likely to be updated again) at www.treasury.gov/cares under Assistance for Small Business. As many of you know, the Payroll Protection…

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Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

Update April 24, 2020: The amount of money available for this grant has been expanded to $10M. However applications are closed. Pierce county alone received over 4000 applications. Word is that Pierce County businesses who applied will be notified if their applications have or have not been forwarded to the state. On April 7, Gov.…

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Good Neighbor Fund. And PPP Info

On our Covid Business Information Call today, we had 2 guest speakers. Jesie Holden of Mountain View Community Center had 2 requests. Donate to their Good Neighbor Fund and/or Nominate a recipient to receive help from the fund. And Paul T Long of Timberland Bank joined us to help clarify information on the Payroll Protection…

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Good Neighbor Fund

Mountain View Community Center has always been a good neighbor to the Fife, Milton and Edgewood communities. Honestly, those beyond those borders find them to be good neighbors too! They are proving that once again amid this pandemic. Though, just like the rest of us, they are not running business as normal, they continue to…

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EIDL – Economic Injury Disaster Loan

We’ve shared info on the disaster loans that are available through the SBA. The US Chamber of Commerce has put up-to-date guide (as of April 1, 2020) together and the FME Chamber wants to share it with you. Most businesses with fewer than 500 employees and most non-profits are eligible for the EIDL loans. Find…

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Tax Credit – for Employers

The stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has so many parts. One has created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Find out: Who’s eligible How much will the tax credit be? Which employees…

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Laid Off?

Unemployment has seen a massive spike with Covid-19, but efforts at relief are making it slightly less painful. If you have lost your job, then read on. The CARES Act provides businesses with an incentive to retain employees through the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program). Additionally, Unemployment Insurance is now said to be on steroids. For…

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PPP Overview and Application

The Department of Treasury has posted more information on the Payment Protection Program. In effect, it highlights the assistance it gives to small businesses. The site features specific info for both borrowers and lenders. An overview and application are also available. According to the SBA website, lenders may start processing applications on Friday, April 3…

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Covid-19 Business Information Meeting

The FME Chamber just finished our Zoom meeting with Chris Eyler. He is from the US Chamber of Commerce. Gary Westcott, from Pierce County Economic Development joined as well. They shared some great information that summarized much of what is on the minds of business owners these days. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic…

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CARES Act

With the $2.2 trillion stimulus package signed today, there is tremendous relief available for small businesses, who are struggling to keep their employees on payroll. Congress has approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It allocates $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact,…

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Video message from Mill Ridge Village

Video is a tool that we all have access to, but in today’s world, Carlos Camargo with Creative24 recognizes how this is especially true in today’s world! He knows that businesses desperately need to share their messages. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with Jennifer Reich at Mill Ridge Village,…

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Zero-Interest Loans for Pierce County Small Businesses

On Tuesday, the Pierce County Council voted in favor of four Emergency Ordinances to help small businesses in our county. One Urgency Ordinance established a loan program. To qualify for these 12 month, zero-interest loans, ($2000 per employee, up to $10,000) businesses must: have 10 or fewer employees be located in unincorporated Pierce County demonstrate…

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Free Virtual Diagnosis thru Multicare

Have a fever, a cough, shortness of breath? Do you have Covid-19? Multicare can help you figure it out, and there is no charge! MultiCare is currently offering free e-visits to anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms through MultiCare Virtual Care, where providers will also help you navigate to the next appropriate step.

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