economic recovery resources for Businesses

The City of North Bend recognizes the hardships our local businesses and non-profit organizations have faced during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the City strives to offer resources to assist businesses in recovery.  

This page provides guidance and resources for employers, non-profits and business owners.

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Business Resources

Protecting Your Business

  • Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available: Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 FREE at-home Covid-19 tests from USPS.com. Click here to order and learn more.
  • Report Tracking for COVID-19 Re-Infection Rates: The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has published a new weekly report that provides an insight into COVID-19 reinfections in Washington State. This report includes information on hospitalizations and deaths, demographics, trends over time, and vaccination status of people with reinfection, where DOH has information about both infection events. Reinfection means a person was once infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, recovered, and later became infected again. A person with reinfection could be fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated. This report is located on the DOH COVID-10 Data Dashboard and is updated weekly. Click here to learn more.
  • Need Masks? We Can Help: North Bend City Staff are handing out free cloth face masks to residents and businesses. Should you wish to pick up masks for your family or business, or request a local delivery, email Erin Mitchell.
  • COVID-19 Emergency Resource Requests - King County: PPE resource for local government agencies, medical and care facilities, as well as other organizations within King County. This site provides emergency resources such as personal protective equipment, test kits and personnel.
  • SmartWA Business Decision Support System: SmartWA uses numerous data sources and artificial intelligence to provide small businesses most impacted by the pandemic with real-time outlooks about public health, economic and community conditions by county and industry. The decision support system features an interactive simulator that provides industry-specific predictions about which safety protocols are most likely to increase customer traffic in specific sectors. 
  • Avoiding Coronavirus Scams Information from the Federal Trade Commission
  • The CISA Cyber Essentials Guide: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Cyber Essentials is a guide for leaders of small businesses as well as leaders of small and local government agencies to develop an actionable understanding of where to start implementing organizational cybersecurity practices. Download the Cyber Essentials Starter Kit, the basics for building a culture of cyber readiness.
  • Business Tips to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats: Cyber-attacks are a growing threat for small businesses. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, the cost of cybercrimes reached $2.7 billion in 2020 alone. Small businesses are attractive targets because they have information that cybercriminals want, and they typically lack the security infrastructure of larger businesses. Start by learning about common cyber threats, understanding where your business is vulnerable, and taking steps to improve your cybersecurity.
  • Export Finance Programs
  • Protect Yourself Financially from the Coronavirus Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • COVID-19 resource list for impacted Washington businesses and workers Information from the Governor’s office
  • Vaccine Locator
  • Eligible Businesses That Allow Employees To Get A COVID-19 Vaccine Can Receive A Tax Credit
  • As of December 6, all restaurants, bars, and taverns regardless of seating capacity are required to comply with King County’s vaccine verification order. See below for some tips and helpful links: 
    • The new Order applies to bars and restaurants (indoor), indoor entertainment and recreational events or establishments, outdoor events with more than 500 people.
    • Looking for information about how this applies to local Si View Metropolitan Parks District programs? Click here to learn.
    • King County businesses and events included in the vaccination verification local health order are required to display specific public health signs at all public entrances. Download them here.
    • If you'd like additional signage, please consider downloading an 8.5"x11" poster, that notifies the public of The King County Health Order

Grants & programs

  • Long-Term Care Delayed - FROM SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Next Steps for Employers: Legislation to delay the Washington state long-term care program has been signed by the governor-- making it official. Amid this flurry of activity – what should businesses do? Learn from their expert panel, who will be able to provide answers and guidance. Register for this free webinar here.
  • 4Culture Recovery Fund: The 4Culture Recovery Fund for Individuals will offer between $1,000 and $12,000 to eligible cultural producers who have been financially impacted by the pandemic as they recuperate, adapt, and advance their practice. Click here for more information. Tips: 
    • You are a cultural producer if your primary occupation—paid or unpaid—is within 4Culture’s program areas of heritage, historic preservation, art, or public art
    • This is funding is to provide COVID-19 pandemic relief. This means that you will need to show a loss of $1,000 or more between 2019 and 2020
    • The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 2 at 5:00 PM
  • Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley Grant: The Rotary Club is currently accepting grant applications from local non-profit organizations serving people living in the Snoqualmie Valley. The deadline to submit is March 15. These awards can be specific items or programs that are needed to carry out the mission of the organization. This year they will be reverting back to pre-COVID practices regarding grant awards. As a result, applications do NOT need to be COVID related.  Awards are typically for amounts up to $5000. Award grantees will be announced on or about May 15, 2022. Requests for volunteer help from Snoqualmie Valley Rotary are also welcome. Please apply for requests to be used from April 1 to December 31, 2022. Apply here.
  • Small Business Flex Fund: A simple and flexible loan for small businesses and nonprofits in Washington. Eligible organizations can apply for low interest loans of up to $150,000. Eligible organizations will experience low interest rates, longer payback timelines, and community-based lenders with decades of experience helping businesses like yours to thrive. Apply here. Who is eligible to apply?
           Fewer than 50 employees
           Annual revenues of less than $3 million
           Experienced direct economic hardship due to COVID-19
     
    Low-interest rates
           Borrow up to $150,000
           No fees and interest-only payments for the first year
           3% – 4.5% interest rates
           60 and 72-month loan terms (72-month loan term only available until Dec. 31 this year)
     
    Loan use is flexible
           Payroll
           Utilities and rent
           Marketing and advertising
           Building improvements or repairs
           Other business expenses
  • New Small Business Paycheck Protection Program: The portal allows a business with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $150,000 or less to submit a simple forgiveness application directly to SBA, as long as his or her specific lender participates in the portal.
  • Double-Dipping Opportunities for RRF and SVOG Recipients Claiming the Employee Retention Credit: New Notice 2021-49 provides guidance regarding double-dipping rules for businesses who received Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG) and businesses who received the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant as well as other CARE Act COVID-19 relief programs. Click here to learn more.
  • Free Tax and Accounting Advice: OneEastside SPARK offers free, one-on-one tax and accounting advising assistance with a Clark Nuber CPA. To schedule, contact Samantha Paxton at samanthap@oneeastside.org or (425) 885-4014 ext. 5.
  • Small Business Tax Credit Programs: Did you know that the American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses?
  • Creative Economy Initiative: FROM KING COUNTY - The Creative Economy Initiative focuses on Film and Music in particular as key elements of the County's creative economy. Learn more here. Watch King County Executive Dow Constantine's announcement at Twede's Cafe, here!
  • Early Learning Facilities Program:  Commerce received a new appropriation in the 2021-23 capital budget for grants to create or expand early learning facilities across the state. Learn more here. Through the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Program, they will award projects in the following categories: 
    • Major Construction / Renovation (maximum award $1 million)
    • Minor Renovation / Predevelopment (maximum award $200,000)
    • Pre-Design (maximum award $20,000)
  • Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation - Deadline: Advised to submit by January 31, 2022; Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will help communities and regions devise and implement sustainable economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to respond to damage to the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors from the coronavirus pandemic and to promote the economic resilience of regions dependent on those industries. For more information, click here.
  • Indigenous Communities - Deadline: Advised to submit by March 31, 2022; Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will help indigenous communities devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects, as appropriate, to assist communities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • Economic Adjustment Assistance - Deadline: Advised to submit by March 31, 2022; Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to assist communities and regions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • Good Jobs Challenge – Deadline: January 26, 2022; Subject to the availability of funds, EDA is issuing this NOFO for qualified organizations to form sectoral partnerships. These partnerships will work collaboratively to grow regional economies and their associated workforces by building training programs that meet the existing and emerging skills needs of employers and that help workers enter quality jobs and advance along their chosen career path. Although not required, EDA encourages efforts to reach historically underserved populations and areas, communities of color, women, and other groups facing with labor market barriers such as persons with disabilities, disconnected youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with past criminal records including justice-impacted and reentry participants, serving trainees participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and veterans and military spouses. For more information, click here.
  • Build Back Better Regional Challenge - Deadline: Phase 1-October 19, 2021; Phase 2-March 15, 2022; Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will transform regional economies through a collection of complementary, aligned construction and non-construction projects organized under a singular vision and designed to grow new industries and scale existing ones. For more information, click here.

Growing Your Business

  • Quarterly Business Bulletin: Want to share something innovative your team is doing? Stay up-to-date on local business news? Keep the Bulletin on your radar. To  request  to share local business news, email bkeveren@northbendwa.gov.
  • StartUp Washington - Washington State Department of Commerce 
  • SCORE Greater Seattle: Small business consulting
  • OneEastside SPARK: Consulting, programming and tools to address areas of need amongst businesses and non-profits
  • SnoValleyJobs.com: Access for local business to connect with potential applicants! If you are a member of the SnoValley Chamber of Commerce, conduct business in the City of North Bend or Snoqualmie, you are eligible to post your business' position for hire.  
  • SnoValley Chamber of Commerce: A regional Chamber that connects the business community with elected officials at the state, regional and local level to ensure voices are heard and needs met. The Chamber unites members who believe in creating as vibrant local business community. Not a member? Click here to learn how to join. 
  • Snoqualmie Valley Innovation Center: Every Friday, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. A local nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs with mentors to discover, launch or further enhance physical products and/or technology powered services to support innovation in the valley community. Click here to join.
  • The North Bend Downtown Foundation: The NBDF actively builds community, supports economic development and champions downtown revitalization. Not a member? Click here to learn how to join.

Resources for Workers

Additional Resources

  • PLEASE JOIN: North Bend Business Outreach Meeting: March 17, 7:30 AM, via Zoom. Sponsored by the City of North Bend, these meetings serve as a direct avenue for business owners like you to meet up, to be informed of actions the City is considering which impact commercial and business property, to discuss other important topics that relate directly to North Bend businesses, and to communicate with your local government. We recognize that City operations can be a tough but necessary part of community and commercial growth, and hope these meetings continue to provide you with an opportunity to voice your concerns, offer solutions and connect with us and your business community. For current project updates, check out the Project Development Map. To receive meeting notifications for future meetings, email Bre Keveren. 
  • "Washington Listens" Mental Health Resource: Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 AM to 9 PM. Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 6 PM Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. In addition, see resources and self-help tips from Washington Listens by clicking here. 
  • Coronavirus Resource Guide - Industry Resource from wahospitality.org: A variety of business resources, with a focus on the hospitality industry
  • Federal COVID-19  Resources: State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit covid-sb.org, the official federal resource website for U.S. small businesses affected by COVID-19.
  • COVID-19 Recovery Information in Other Languages
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) Recovery Hub