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COVID-19 Economic Impact & Resources
COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Applications
The Port is not currently directly administering any COVID relief grant programs.
However, there are several opportunities available for different types of funding for businesses in Whatcom County:
- WA Dept of Commerce's Working Washington Round 5 (COVID relief grant program, application portal opens August 17
-31, 2022DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2022) - WA Dept of Commerce's Small Business Flex Fund (loan program, open)
Western Washington University Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides the lead on technical assistance in Whatcom County, including but not limited to: identifying financial tools, understanding new tools and resources made available by local, state, and federal authorities, and coordinating with local lenders to relay the needs of clients. Any issues related to technical assistance should be coordinating via the SBDC. Their office is closed and they will be doing web-based small business consulting until further notice. You can also visit their website for additional information and business resources as tools are identified and developed by local, state, and federal authorities.
If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please complete your client profile here. Upon completion, the SBDC will contact you to coordinate an appointment that works well for your schedule.
Resources
- Whatcom County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- City of Bellingham COVID-19 Business Resources
- Whatcom County Safer. Stronger. Together. Campaign materials
- Whatcom County Unified Command: Businesses & Restaurant resources
- Whatcom County Unified Command COVID-19 website
- Whatcom County Health Department
- City of Bellingham COVID-19 Response
- City of Bellingham COVID-19 Resources for Businesses (Green Cone Program, Permitting, Emergency Grants)
- City of Ferndale COVID-19 Information
- City of Lynden Mayor Korthuis' Letter re: COVID-19
- City of Blaine News
Resources
- Small Business Flex Fund (loan program)
- WA State Department of Agriculture Grant Opportunities
- WA Dept of Commerce Emergency Grants Portal (includes WW5.0 not yet open, Events Grant open June 8 - July 1, 2022)
- WA Dept of Commerce OCVA Grants and Funding | Coronavirus CESF Requests for Proposal
- WA State Vaccine Location Finder
- Am I Eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine? WA State Vaccine Phase Finder /Encuentra Tu Fase
- Washington State COVID-19 Travel Advisory and Quarantine Requirements
- Washington State Small Business Resiliency Grant
- Washington State Department of Commerce Nonprofit Assistance Resource Page
- Washington Shellfish Seed Bank Intake Form: Grant
- Safe Start | Washington: Full List of Guidance for Businesses & Workers
- Safe Start | Washington: Guidelines by Phase and Industry
- Washington State COVID-19 website
- Washington State What's Opened and What's Closed | Essential Business
- Washington State Is my Business an Essential Business Inquiry form
- Washington State Additional Guidance on Funerals, Real Estate Transactions
- Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Seeks Repurposed Manufacturing Resources for Personal Protective Equipment Shortage
- Washington State Department of Health Workplace Recommendations
- Washington State Employment Security Department (Unemployment benefits: shared work, partial unemployment, standby)
- Washington State Department of Commerce Export Assistance for companies needing to expand to new markets
- Washington State Department of Commerce COVID-19 Information and Updates
- Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants
- Washington Recreation and Conservation Office Grants
Resources
- CDC guidance for Businesses and Employers
- CDC recommendations on environmental cleaning and disinfection
- FEMA Respuesta por Coronavirus (COVID-19) (en Español)
- SBA Disaster Assistance loans
- SBA Economic Injury loans (status TBD)
- SBA Export Financing Assistance
- SBA Planning and Response to COVID-19 Impacts in the Workplace
- Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
Resources
- Comcast RISE grants for Small Businesses Owned by Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color
- tagNW Pro Bono Consulting Program for Nonprofits
- Western Washington University Small Business Development Center Business Continuity Resources
- Whatcom Community Foundation Resources for Nonprofits
- Sustainable Connections Resources for Businesses
- Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism COVID-19 Information
- Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Restaurants Offering Take Out, Pick Up, & Delivery
- Western Washington University Coronavirus Information
- Downtown Bellingham Partnership Business Resources
- Washington State Farm Bureau COVID-19 Resources
- Recreation Northwest: #RecreateResponsibly - Go with a local tour guide!
Resources
REP and WHD issue Joint Framework on Re-Opening Whatcom County’s Economy
With the highest goal always being public safety and health, Whatcom County Health Department and the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham intend to work side-by-side to ensure a safe, healthy re-opening of our local economy. The WHD and REP have issued a Joint Framework that includes details on the process and timeline for re-opening, which can be read here. The appendix can be found here..
Whatcom Unified Command on COVID-19
Please visit Unified Command’s COVID-19 website for regular updates and see their Businesses and Restaurants page for business specific information.