Economic Development
ScaleUp: The Covid Edition
Previously, in April, the Chamber introduced you to ScaleUp. ScaleUp: the Covid Edition is a program teaching proven strategies to small businesses. In fact, multiple solid agencies participate. It is a partnership between the Washington State Department of Commerce, Thurston EDC Center for Business Innovation and local economic development organizations. In light of Covid, they…
Read MoreDeadline for Business Relief Programs through Pierce County CARES
The deadline for applications is Oct 2 for this round of funding with the Pierce County CARES Business Relief Programs. Do not wait until the deadline to apply if you can avoid it. Pierce County has funds available through the CARES Act for Business Relief Programs. These include Commercial Rent and Mortgage assistance, and Forgiveable…
Read MoreCommercial Rent and Mortgage Assistance
Limited funding is available, as with other programs. In this case, $7.75 million is available for rental and mortgage assistance. According to Tacoma Weekly, the demand will be higher than the allotted funding. Qualifications As with the forgivable loans for small businesses in Pierce County, businesses must meet certain qualifications including: Being physically located in…
Read MoreApplying for PPP Loan Forgiveness Free Webinar
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness can be a daunting task. Many small businesses are struggling to survive. Therefore, the time and resources required to apply for loan forgiveness may take a backseat to business stabilization. Although the SBA and treasury announced an EZ application, in June, many businesses did not qualify to use it. If…
Read MoreVitality Grant from Economic Development Board
On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, the Economic Development Board will open applications for the Vitality Grant. These grants will be available to Pierce County small businesses. However, the window for accepting applications is limited. Apply between: 10AM PDT Wednesday, September 9, 2020 and 5PM PDT Sunday, September 20, 2020. These vitality grants are available due to federal…
Read MoreIs Childcare a Business Issue?
Is childcare a business issue? A report shared by the Washington State Department of Commerce that indicates that “Yes” is the short answer. The FME Chamber also held a virtual forum with a panel of speakers with interests in childcare. Watch the full zoom call with our expert panelists, who are introduced below. Speakers on…
Read MoreUnemployment/Lost Wages Assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that Washington has been approved for a grant under a lost wages assistance program. For a quick summary, read the details below. For greater details on the LWA, visit FEMA’s lost wages supplemental payment assistance page. Update 8/24 Published 8/21: Unemployment continues to be a concern for Washingtonians. That’s no…
Read MoreCommunity Resource Guide & Directory
The 2020 Directory and Community Resource Guide is finally here. Best of all, it’s available, whether you want it digitally and/or in print! Of course, you’ll find some quick facts about our 3 communities and see information at a glance. Then you’ll find information on employment, education and housing. And even more important, you’ll have…
Read MoreBusiness Liability Protection
You’ve installed acrylic shields at the cash registers at your business and given all staff a week’s worth of washable masks. Every staff member will take their temperature as they enter the building. You’ve posted all the signs reminding people to wear masks and wash their hands. Disposable masks and gallons of hand sanitizer are…
Read MoreChanges Made to Washington’s Overtime Rules
Published 1/16/20. Updated 7/1/20 As of today (July 1, 2020) new overtime rules go into effect for exempt employees in Washington. These changes won’t impact hourly workers, and most salaried workers in our state will not be affected this year. However, employers should review the recent changes for workers who could be classified as administrative,…
Read MoreYou may be able to use the New EZ form for your PPP
The SBA and the treasury announced a new EZ forgiveness application. Their press release is below. NEWS RELEASE PRESS OFFICE Release Date: June 17, 2020 Contact: Press_Office@sba.gov, (202) 205-7036 Release Number: 20-48 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram SBA and Treasury Announce New EZ and Revised Full Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Small…
Read MorePhase 2 – Whoo Hoo!
Pierce County applied to be approved for Phase 2 on Tuesday and the Governor approved it today! Restrictions exist, of course, and we are far from where we were at the beginning of March. But this feels like a step towards recovery! While you are celebrating the move to Phase 2, let’s keep up our…
Read MoreUpdates on PPP from US Chamber
If you missed our Zoom call today, Chris Eyler from the US Chamber was a guest speaker. He shared with us some of what he hears, knows, and expects about changes coming to the the Payroll Protection Program (PPP.) He also wanted to stress the US Chamber‘s priorities to businesses for Phase Four. After the…
Read MorePPP Loan Forgiveness Application
As more businesses are starting to see PPP fund distribution into their accounts, they are wondering how to apply for the conversion of the loan into a grant. The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The documents…
Read MoreACT NOW – Free online training series open for registration today at 10 a.m.
The Washington State Department of Commerce has partnered with the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) to offer free training to small business owners as they move through the Covid crisis. The program, ScaleUp provides actionable ideas to help small business owners right now and to build resiliency for the future. It is not a new…
Read MorePPP Update: Banks Resume Processing PPP
April 27, 2020: As you may know, the Coronavirus relief expansion bill passed last week. As of 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time today, banks resume PPP application processing. If you are still looking for a PPP lender, here is a complete list by state of PPP lenders from the last round of funding, provided by the…
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