Weekly Update From Commerce
April 17, 2020
Washington, Oregon and California announce 3-state pact on COVID recovery
On Monday, Gov. Inslee joined with Oregon Governor Kate Brown and California Governor Gavin Newsom to announce a shared vision for reopening our state economies and controlling COVID-19 in the future. Each state is building a state-specific plan within a West Coast framework that keys on three principles:
Our residents’ health comes first.
Health outcomes and science – not politics – will guide decisions.
Our states will only be effective by working together
“We don’t want to reignite the virus but we want to reignite the economy.”
I appreciated the opportunity to appear on Yahoo Finance’s On the Move show yesterday. We talked about business response and looking forward to what reopening our economy may look like.
“Road to Recovery” provides twice-weekly look at the economic impacts of COVID-19
This week, in partnership with TVW and Teach with TVW Connects, we launched a new series of in-depth interviews on coronavirus. Airing every Tuesday and Thursday, the Road to Recovery series devotes time to discuss the most current news and topics of the impact of COVID-19 on our economy and communities.
Yesterday, I spoke with TVW’s The Impact host Mike McClanahan about what business owners need to know about emergency state funding related to the COVID-19 crisis.
View the April 16 segment here
Tune in live on TVW and partner Public Television stations and visit the video archives for past programs. Find more information here: https://www.tvw.org/covid-19/
COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Resilience Webinars
Commerce is pleased be a partner with the Association of Washington Business to provide a series of weekly webinars. Last week, I joined Employment Security Commissioner Suzi Levine and Commerce’s Assistant Director for Economic Development and Competitiveness Chris Green for a discussion of employer and business assistance programs.
Today, I discussed the Governor’s West Coast collaboration and industry planning for a safe reopening of our economy, including what that may mean for individual businesses.
Today’s video, future webinar dates and topics, will be posted here: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/business-workers
Working Washington Small Business Grant applications to close
Due to overwhelming demand, new applications for Working Washington Small Business grants have already closed in most counties, and will close in all counties at 5 p.m. today. Over 25,000 applications were received since the program launched on April 7. The pain is acute for our very small businesses who need assistance right now. However, the huge number of applications, from all corners of the state, demonstrates the scope of the need and helps us work with policymakers at all levels of government to address the funding gap.
Check the state coronavirus web portal daily for the most current information and resources for businesses here: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/business-workers
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation opens new grants Monday, April 20
The state continues to advocate for additional federal support and funding for small business loans and grants. On Monday, April 20, 2020, the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation will open their Save Small Business Grant program offering a $5,000 grant for each qualifying applicant. Businesses harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and employing between 3 and 20 people are eligible in specific economically vulnerable zip codes. Visit this website for more information: https://savesmallbusiness.com/#apply