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Business Resources
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, Issaquah is committed to supporting local businesses with resources, information, promotion, regional collaboration and more. Sign up for the Economic Development Department’s Newsletter to stay up to date on changing information and resources.
Directive to Wear Face Coverings
Public Health – Seattle & King County issued a directive to wear face coverings in most public settings.
Businesses are required to post signage advising individuals to wear face coverings on the premises.
Learn more, and read a full FAQ, online.
- Doing Business During COVID-19
- Financial resources
- Relief Measures
- Temporary closures
- Virtual Assistance
Reopening Your Business
Governor Inslee’s orders still affect your business! His current ‘Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery’ plan lays out the process to safely reopen Washington state. View updated reopening guidance for businesses and workers for your industry from the Governor’s office. You can also find information about the full plan here. Questions about your unique or specific business operations should be directed here.
Reopening your business will not only be specific to your business type, but also the size of your business, how you operate and several other factors. You can begin planning for your business reopening by reviewing these resources:
- Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce Toolkit
- Back to Work Toolkit
- Planning for a "New Normal"
- Downtown Issaquah Association
- Issaquah Highlands
- Visit Issaquah Travel Advisory Information
Technical Assistance
Understanding the new financial resources and how to best keep your business viable during this time can be challenging. Professional business advisers are available to help you at no-cost.
- Business Response Team at (re)Startup425
- Small Business Development Center Business Adviser
- Virtual Small Business Counseling: Navigating COVID-19
- SCORE Small Business Counseling
- Partner America, a collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors
- Communities Rise offers no-cost legal assistance for small businesses and nonprofits
Change for To-Go and Delivery Cocktails
Starting May 6, 2020, licensed restaurants and bars can sell sealed mixed drinks with a full meal for takeout and delivery. This allowance will expire 30 days after the county, where the business is located, enters Phase 4 of Washington’s recovery plan.
Creative Industries
- COVID-19 Handbook for Creative Industries-
- 4Culture- Cultural Relief Fund- As closures, cancellations and loss of work due to COVID-19 impact the King County cultural sector,4Culture will distribute $1 million over the coming months.
Marketing Your Business
In addition to the changes to business operations, the COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the way businesses advertise to their customers.
- Add or update your businesses listing on What’s Open Eastside, created through a partnership of Eastside cities
- Use Issaquah Loyal branding in your marketing
Social Media Business Group
- Issaquah businesses have created an informal Facebook group to share resources
State and Regional Resources
Learn more about public health best practices and other programs available for businesses.
- Recommendations to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in retail food establishments (Public Health - Seattle & King County
- Free mediation resources to help with conflict resolution due to COVID-19 (King County)
- Resource List for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses and Employees (Governor’s Office)
- Business Guide for Planning for Coronavirus Pandemic (Public Health–Seattle & King County)
- Business and Nonprofit Preparedness (King County)
- Business Resiliency Toolkit (WA Small Business Development Center)
- FAQs, fact sheets, and live updates (Public Health–Seattle & King County)
- Regional Resources and studies (Greater Seattle Partners)
Federal Government Assistance
Small Businesses
The federal government has provided and continues to provide to small businesses to address the immediate needs of the owners and employees. This Small Business Owners Guide provides more details about the 2020 CARES Act.
Here are some current resources:
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) is currently accepting applications for Economic Disaster Injury Loans. Visit the website for the latest information. (Need help? Contact our small business advisors!)
- The SBA is accepting new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Contact your lender for more information and to apply. (Need help? Contact our small business advisors!)
- If your business has received a PPP loan, learn more about how to proceed with the application for loan forgiveness. (Need help? Contact our small business advisors!)
Arts Organizations
Arts non-profits and shuttered venues are also able to take advantage of relief from the most recent federal stimulus bill. In particular, the SBA will be providing grant to venue operators forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check SBA.gov for more updates.
Other Resources
- Business Impact NW provides low-interest loans to community-based nonprofits and small businesses.
- Craft3 provides low-interest loans to community-based nonprofits and small businesses.
- 4Culture- Cultural Relief Fund- As closures, cancellations and loss of work due to COVID-19 impact the King County cultural sector,4Culture will distribute $1 million over the coming months.
Tax Relief
- Washington State Department of Revenue is offering filing extensions and penalty waivers for state-level B&O taxes. Eligible businesses can get more information and apply here.
- King County property tax information can be obtained and provide information specific to your location.
Waste Collection: Reduction Needs?
- Recology: If you anticipate a reduced need for collection service or have questions about alternative payment options, please contact Recology at 425-837-1234.
- Cedar Grove Compost: With the recent restrictions put on businesses and establishments, please review your options. Additional questions for Cedar Grove can be sent to a representative at 877-994-4466.
Temporarily closing your business may be something that few businesses have planned. There are several resources that can help you during this period:
- Review this list of tasks created by Issaquah Police.
- Better understand Unemployment Insurance options for your employees such as temporary layoffs, standby and furloughs as well as the Shared Work Program.
- Visit the Virtual Assistance tab to explore business planning and other e-learning opportunities to prepare for re-opening.
King County Metro's WorkSmart Program
Is your business in need of assistance with alternative work arrangements such as teleworking, flextime, or compressed work weeks? If so, take advantage of WorkSmart, a FREE service offered by King County Metro.
They can help provide you and your business with all of the necessary information and resources to:
- Lead you through every step to implement a program
- Assess potential and necessary steps for customized program delivery
- Develop custom presentations and marketing materials
- Consult on technology needs and requirements
- Develop policies, procedures and agreements
- Train managers and employees
- Provide evaluation guidelines and strategies
- Help meet Commute Trip Reduction goals
Learn more about how WorkSmart can help your boost employee productivity and ensure business continuity.
Connect with Business Advisers
Have a question about how to access the new financial resources? Want to better understand marketing, human resources or other aspect of your business? Access no-cost, one-on-one business technical assistance through the following organizations:
- Business Response Team at (re)Startup425
- Small Business Development Center Business Adviser
- Virtual Small Business Counseling from King County Library: Navigating COVID-19
- SCORE Small Business Counseling
- Partner America, a collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors
- Communities Rise offers no-cost legal assistance for small businesses and nonprofits
E-Learning
- Small Business Information from King County Library System
- Training Webinars from the Washington Small Business Development Center
- Business Resiliency Toolkit from the Washington Small Business Development Center
Business Resource Webinars
- The Issaquah Chamber of Commerce hosts links to webinars with resources dedicated to business hours.
- King County Library System has resources for your business. Visit their business resources page to learn more!
- The King County Economic Development Department has resources for businesses.
Contact Us
Need further assistance? Please contact the City’s Economic Development team.
Sign up for the Economic Development Department’s Newsletter to stay up to date on changing information and resources. Read past issues.