SBA Offers Disaster Assistance

SBA DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE

The Washington State Department of Commerce wants businesses in our state to know that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has amended its original disaster declaration to apply to all Washington small businesses, regardless of county.

Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

The Department of Commerce is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG) to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Sixty-four (64) businesses will be awarded $10,000 each. These funds are limited. Small businesses located in Thurston County who qualify for the grant program can apply and get complete instructions by clicking the button below. This process may take 5-6 weeks before funding occurs.

1. Download the application and fill it out electronically.
2. Email it to the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) at grants@thurstonedc.com

Paycheck Protection Program

The Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES ACT, was signed into law. A provision of this law that may be beneficial to your small business and employees is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

• Loan is based on the applicant's average total monthly payment for payroll costs for the 1-year period before the date on which the loan is made times 2.5. For a seasonal business, average total monthly payroll payments will be based on the 12-week period between 2/15/2019 and 6/30/2019.


• Business was in operation on 2/15/2020 and had employees for whom it paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors (reported on a form 1099-MISC).


• The SBA guaranty fee is waived.


• If loan proceeds are used for payroll, health care, utilities, mortgage/rent, utilities and employees retained then the client would apply for forgiveness of a portion or all the loan amount.


• If some or all proceeds are used for other purposes not listed above, that portion of the loan would not be forgiven and would then have a 2-year loan term at an interest rate of 1%.


• The first 6-12 months of payments may be deferred.


• No collateral or personal guaranty required.

Due to the overwhelming demand O Bee CU has opted to contract with a third party to process, fund and ensure the grant portion of this program is honored. This is a fully automated process through lenders that specialize in Payment Protection Program. A lender outside of O Bee Credit Union may be contacting you for additional information.
 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued this guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals check eligibility and prepare to file for a PPP loan.

AWB Rebound and Recovery Tools

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) created a website to make it easier for employers to find the tools they need to safely welcome back employees and customers.

The website features:

• PPE portal to connect Washington businesses with the manufacturers and distributors of personal protective equipment, including hand sanitizer, gloves, and face masks.
• Highlights Washington-based manufacturers and suppliers, making it easy for small businesses to locate the items they need to keep operating
• A tool kit to help small businesses prepare their physical spaces for reopening and to assist in communicating health and safety protocols with employees and customers.
• The tool kit contains downloadable, customizable templates that small business owners can use to create everything from a Safe Work Plan and store signage to social media content and physical distancing floor stickers.