- Jacque Coe
Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
Updated: Sep 11
The Seattle Restaurant Alliance (SRA) is working hard to provide resources businesses need, and secure relief efforts for restaurants amid the coronavirus outbreak. This page has tools and resources designed to help you cut through massive amounts of information during this stressful time, with links to relief measures for you and your teams.
Coronavirus Resource Guide
A comprehensive searchable industry guide updated daily with information, answers and links for your business such as relief packages, employee support, webinars, etc. Click here.
Federal Relief
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program provides forgivable loans to eligible small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. . Click here for a PPP Information Sheet.
Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act
This quick-start guide helps direct you to the program for your particular need. Click here.
National Restaurant Association CARES Act FAQ Click here.
State Relief
Summary of Relief Measures for Small Businesses to Date. Click here.
Governor's Office Resource List for Impacted Businesses and Employees. Click here.
Department of Revenue Relief Measures. Click here
State Employment Security Department ESD's COVID-19 information page provides an overview of programs including unemployment benefits for workers whose companies close or experience a slowdown due to the outbreak, layoff assistance tools and programs for businesses, and Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits for workers who get sick or need to care for a sick family member.
City of Seattle
The following are a number of temporary relief measures for businesses:
Suspension of personal guarantees in commercial leases. Click here.
Street closure permits for restaurants and businesses. Click here.
Free street use permits to operate on sidewalks and parking strips. Click here.
Seattle Mayor's Support Package for Small Businesses
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced a package of relief measures for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The initial support package has five components and includes:
deferral of B&O taxes,
expansion of the Small Business Stabilization Fund,
assistance for SBA loans applications
utility relief for residential and commercial customers and
a small business recovery task force.
Seattle City Resources for Business Relief
Seattle Free Parking to Support Take-Out & Delivery
Applications for Small Business Administration (SBA) emergency loans now available.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses dealing with economic loss due to coronavirus. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
The Seattle Restaurant Alliance local government affairs team has been working with the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) to provide necessary documentation to make King County eligible for economic injury assistance; once a county is approved, contiguous counties also become eligible. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
For details about the loans, click here.
For technical assistance with SBA loan applications, contact OED at OED@seattle.gov.
Employee Relief Funds
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund by the National Restaurant Association
Grants for employees displaced by the coronavirus outbreak, this fund is operated by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, whose mission is to attract, empower and advance restaurant and foodservice workers. Grants and donations. For info, click here.
Big Table
This non-profit headquartered in Spokane specifically serves the Seattle restaurant community with immediate crisis resources. Grants and donations. For info, click here.
The following additional links are specific to the Coronavirus.
Public Health Resources and Information:
Washington Hospitality Association – Coronavirus updates for King County members
Seattle King County Public Health With guidance for food establishments (in multiple languages)
Washington Department of Health Updates, fact sheets and specific instruction for different organizations.
Seattle Office of Labor Standards - Paid Sick and Safe Time and Coronavirus Q&A
Fisher Phillips (Comprehensive FAQ for Employers on COVID-19)
World Health Organization Background on federal HR 6074 – Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 -
Employer Impact Resources
Governor's Office resources for Business and Workers impacted by COVID-19 Coronavirus. Includes financial, export, insurance and workforce assistance for businesses directly impacted
Washington State Employment Security Department for businesses and workers
Seattle King County Public Health recommendations for retail establishments
King County Postpones Property Tax Deadline Individual residential and commercial taxpayers who pay property taxes themselves, rather than through their mortgage lender, can delay those payments until June 1, 2020 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Seattle Public Utilities/Seattle City Light Utility Relief-Call 206-256-5200 for City Light, (206) 684-3000 for Seattle Public Utilities or send an email 24/7 to request deferred payment plans for businesses impacted.
Greater Seattle Partners information and resources
WA Dept. of Health Workplace and Employer Resources and Recommendations
The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) Business Resiliency Toolkit
Seattle King County Public Health Planning for a Pandemic Guide -A Guide for Businesses and Organizations
Business Health Trust Employer resources and example polices
Washington State Small Business Liaison Team Flyer for Services and Liaisons
DSA Ambassador Flyer A flyer to help your teams identify DSA Ambassadors.