COVID-19 Resources
Employers and Business Owner Support:
We are directing all technical and operational assistance requests to the WWU Small Business Development Center. Their contact is available at their link below.
Newly Announced Resources:
Under Whatcom Unified Command’s direction, the Economic Impact Task Force, led by Don Goldberg, has compiled five tools/resources for local businesses to utilize so that our team and partners can begin to assess the extent of the economic impacts stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.
The first is a survey that was developed in partnership with the Whatcom Unified Command, the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham, Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (WWU SBDC), and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. This survey will help our organizations understand the economic effects of COVID-19 on local businesses. If you own or operate a business in Whatcom County, please fill out this survey at your earliest convenience:https://form.responster.com/EsA58H
The second resource we wanted to direct your attention to is technical assistance from WWU’s SBDC:https://sbdc.wwu.edu/business-continuity-resources
The third resource allows you to register for business re-entry with Washington State:https://mil.wa.gov/business-re-entry-registration
The fourth resource is designed for companies that may have the capability to make donations or repurpose your facility or manufacturing equipment to produce Personal Protective Equipment and infection-control products, please contact the Department of Enterprise Services to discuss options:https://des.wa.gov/about/agency-overview/covid-19-information-%E2%80%93-des-guidance/personal-protective-equipment
***Updated 3/26/2020
Local (Bellingham Region) Resources:
Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Business Continuity Resources
Resources and information to help our small business community and for technical and operational assistance
Port of Bellingham – Business Continuity Planning Resources and COVID-19 Preparation and Response
Resources and information organized by jurisdiction
City of Bellingham COVID Business Resource
Local Bellingham resource information
Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund
The community’s bounce-back fund to help anyone and everyone —individuals, families, nonprofits, businesses—recover from a crisis or disaster through a combination of emergency preparedness investments and response funding.
Washington State & Federal Resources:
Small Business Administration: Disaster Loan Assistance
Federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters
***Available to WA employers for application as of 3/16/2020
Washington State Department of Commerce: COVID-19 Information and Updates
A comprehensive page with links to state, regional, and federal updates regarding Coronavirus
Employment Security Department of Washington State: Resources for workers and businesses
Programs designed to help individuals and employers
Washington Retail Association’s COVID-19 Retailer’s Guide
Retailer specific guidance on business operations
CDC Resources and Recommendations
CDC Interim Guidance
CDC Print Resources: Free to use hand outs and posters
Emergency Management Division Washington: Business Preparedness
Governor’s Resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers
Employee Resources:
This section is specifically for employees needing resources. Some of the information above is useful for employees as well.
ESD – Unemployment Benefits (if you lost your job)
ESD – Paid Leave (if you are sick or quarantined)