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Resources FOR WORKERS & EMPLOYERS
CARES Act Round Two (New Funding Available!) Congress has passed the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Health Care Enhancement Act, which provides critical additional funding for workers and small businesses affected by coronavirus. This impacts the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) & Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
If you have already applied for the PPP, you should not have to apply again. If you have not applied for the PPP, check with your lender to see if they are SBA approved. If not, consider checking alternative lenders including PayPal, Intuit, Square and Kabbage. If you have not applied for EIDL since 4/3 you will have to reapply.
To learn more about this new funding, visit: home.treasury.gov/news/pressreleases/sm987
How Washington State Fared in the First Round of SBA Funding Nationwide, the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) issued over 1.6 million loans through April 16, totaling over $342 billion. Washington State businesses received just over 30,400 loans totaling nearly $7 billion. About three-quarters of loans were for $150,000 or less. As shown below, about half of all funding went to four major industries: Construction; Professional Services; Manufacturing; and Health Care. Accommodation and Food Services and Retail were the next highest recipients.
Federal USDA Rural Resource Guide The USDA has published a resource guide to help farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, hospitals, tribes, local government and other rural businesses and families.
Get the guide at: www.rd.usda.gov/sites/ default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_ Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf
Governor Announces Washington State COVID-19 Recovery Plan On April 22, Governor Jay Inslee presented a new plan for reopening Washington State for business. The plan includes continued social distancing, and then a phase-in of various economic sectors, built around three primary focus areas:
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3. Protect the Health and Safety of Washingtonians: Guided by data and science, we must continue to suppress the virus, protect our most vulnerable and treat those who are sick. We must ensure that COVID-19 infections and deaths are decreasing and that we have sufficient testing and contact identification in place before taking steps toward loosening restrictions. Facilitate a Safe Start and Transition to Economic Recovery: A healthy workforce is needed for a healthy economy. When it is safe, we will take measured steps to get people back to doing what they do best in a way that protects themselves and their communities’ health. Support All People and Communities: We will use an equity lens for recovery efforts to enhance people’s physical, emotional and financial well-being, with particular attention to those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color, individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals with disabilities, as well as those experiencing unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity.
More info at : www.governor.wa.gov/ sites/default/files/Washington%27s%20 Recovery%20Plan%20.pdf.
In early May, we will publish a Re-Opening Toolkit.
City of Olympia Permit Operations Continue Apace The City of Olympia recently converted Community Planning and Development permitting operations to a digital portal using a program called SmartGov. In addition to creating broad system efficiencies, the digital portal has ensured permitting assistance and review remain uninterrupted during the pandemic. Customers can still submit applications, pay fees, request inspections and review status online, while staff review and stamp approval virtually. Even before the pandemic, the City was processing about 87% of permits (more than 5,000 per year) via the web portal vs. in-office visits. Customers have expressed their support vis a vis a recent user survey showing a 95% approval rating.
City of Olympia – Olympia Downtown Alliance Team Up To Help Local Business A new campaign, “Why I Go Downtown” has been launched by the Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA) with funding from the City of Olympia. In addition to promoting downtown, the initiative includes a business directory to help people find establishments open for business whether online or via drivethru storefront whyigodowntown.com/ supportlocal. All downtown businesses are eligible to participate and submit information, whether they are ODA members or not. Over 6,000 people have visited the site in the first three weeks of operation. The ODA will soon launch “Promising Notes,” in partnership with Olympia Artspace Alliance and Octapas, to paint murals on boarded storefronts and create short music videos featuring local musicians.
Learn more at: governor.wa.gov/sites/ default/files/Washington%27s%20 Recovery%20Plan%20.pdf United Way–Community Foundation COVID-19 Fund Paying Off Charitable giving by our community has helped the Community Foundation and United Way of Thurston County to make a real difference for local families and service organizations. Highlights include:
Funding to support a quadrupling of Meals on Wheels deliveries to 10,000 per month Doubling the number of food backpacks to kids through the Thurston County Food Bank Funding and staff to support growing demand at the Food Bank, which has now served over 13,600 individuals Purchase of homeless food backpacks to be distributed to homeless school students
In addition, the fund has enabled expanded support to the Nurse Family Partnership Program which serves 300 no- and low-income families with infant children. To date, donations have included: • 899 containers of infant formula • 351 packages of baby wipes • 640 jars of baby food • 431 packages of diapers • 2,249 units of toddler and children’s foods
Funding and donations have also been made to the Childcare Action Council in their efforts to support 11 childcare providers countywide. The few operators remaining open are caring for the children of first-responders and other frontline workers. Donated goods include:
• 210 packages of toilet paper • 25 containers of sanitizing wipes • 15 gallons of bleach • Paper towels (unknown quantity)
Funding for Catholic Community Services has helped their Community Kitchen serve nearly 13,000 in March alone, while the Community Action Council has provided emergency rent and utility assistance to more than 300 households at a cost of $1,170.00 on average.
Finally, the United Way-Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund has made it possible for Together to bulk purchase supplies for distribution to hundreds of local families trying to meet basic needs. Items include:
• Toilet paper • Laundry soap • Dish soap • Pasta and pasta sauce • Infant formula • Diapers • Wipes • Boxed and canned foods
Thank you to our partners and everyone who has donated. For more information: www.unitedway-thurston.org/covid-19
Job Search Portal Available for Those Seeking Work While many people continue to work from home or have secured temporary unemployment benefits, neither option may be available to certain individuals, especially independent contractors. If you or someone you know needs to work, the PacMtn Workforce Development Council has assembled a list of current in-demand jobs accessible at pacmtn.org/job-search.
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Great care for you and your family in West Olympia
Now open and serving Kaiser Permanente members, our new West Olympia Medical Center makes it even easier to get the care you need.
Located in Cooper Point Plaza, the new center features a care team led by skilled, dedicated physicians. We hope you’ll come see us for high-quality, personalized care.
Services
• Primary care • Pharmacy • Mental health • Radiology • Lab
Hours • Primary care
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Tuesday and Thursday
• Pharmacy Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cooper Point Rd SW
Capital Mall Dr SW
Black Lake Blvd SW
Kaiser Permanente West Olympia Medical Center 1200 Cooper Point Road SW Suite 100 Olympia, WA 98502
