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COVID-19 Economic Impact & Resources
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.
Whatcom Unified Command Economic Impact Taskforce Issues Survey
If you are a business that has been impacted by COVID-19 please help us understand your needs by filling out this survey: https://form.responster.com/EsA58H
The Regional Economic Partnership (REP) team has been designated by the Whatcom County Unified Command as the lead Economic Impact Taskforce and will be reporting to Operations Section Chief during this public health emergency.
Please note that our department office is closed as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020 until further notice and therefore the Economic Impact Team will be working remotely. For general inquiries the team can be contacted at EconDev@portofbellingham.com.
Resources
Resources
- 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
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
Resources
- 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
Resources
Resources
Contact information for specific Economic Impact Team members is as follows:
| Economic Impact Team Member | Contact Info |
| Don Goldberg, Chief | Cell: 541.621.3797 Email: dgoldberg@portofbellingham.com |
| John Michener | Cell: 360.410.4167 Email: johnmi@portofbellingham.com |
| Jennifer Noveck | Cell: 360.739.5103 Email: jennifern@portofbellingham.com |
| Gina Stark | Cell: 360.739.2166 Email: ginas@portofbellingham.com |
Western Washington University Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), led by CJ Seitz, will take the lead on technical assistance, 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. CJ and her team can be reached at 360.778.1762 (leave a voicemail) or at seitzc@wwu.edu or asche.rider@wwu.edu. You can also visit their website (https://sbdc.wwu.edu/business-continuity-resources) for additional information and business resources as tools are identified and developed by local, state, and federal authorities.
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, led by Guy Occhiogrosso, will take the lead on organizing and coordinating with all Whatcom County Chambers of Commerce including Birch Bay, Blaine, Everson-Nooksack, Ferndale, Lynden, Mt. Baker, Point Roberts, and Sumas. They will also be responsible for networking and dissemination information among their members. Any issues related to Chambers and their members in Whatcom County should be coordinated through the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Their office is currently operating by appointment only and they will be doing web-based interactions with members and the public until further notice. Guy and his team can be reached at 360.746.0738 or guy@bellingham.com.