Community News

Page Updated 11/1/2021

The Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting our local businesses with resources to assist you in working through the challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If you have questions or need anything at all we encourage you to reach out to us.

QUICKLINKS

Updated Labor & Industries Requirements – WA State
Requirements for Employers in Public and Non-Public Spaces

County Statuses

King County – As of September 6 in King County, masks are required for everyone ages 5+ at outdoor events with 500 or more people, and continue to be required in public indoor spaces.  As of October 25 in King County, proof of vaccination will be required for everyone ages 12+ at outdoor events of 500 or more people, indoor recreational events or establishments, restaurants, and bars.  Learn more & find testing and vaccination locations here

Important Vaccine Verification Requirements and Information for King County Businesses & Organizations

Snohomish County – Effective August 12, everyone 5 years of age and up in Snohomish County must wear a face covering within indoor public spaces. This directive applies to indoor spaces that are open to the public, including retail, grocery stores, government buildings, and other businesses and places where members of the public can enter freely. It does not apply to indoor non-public spaces, including businesses, offices, and other places of employment with limited access. Learn more  & find testing and vaccination locations here

Important Information for Snohomish County Businesses & Organizations

Vaccine Locator Information

Vaccine factsheets available in 49 languages – “Getting Vaccinated For Covid-19” 
These Covid vaccine factsheets are easy to read, 2 pgs, and cover the what, why, how, and when of getting vaccinated. There is also assistance for those that are hearing or audio impaired.
– Visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website for the list of 49 available languages, and phone numbers for assistance. (Under the section “Information On”, click “Vaccine” then “Getting Vaccinated: Additional Languages”)
– To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email: civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.

Special Bothell Permitting

Bothell Special Permit to Turn Parking Space Into Outdoor Dining
Download Permit Information Here

Bothell Special Permit to Conduct Business on Main Street Closed Area
Get More Information Here

⇒ NOTE: Our Resources page is now organized by category. We encourage you to scroll down and fully explore to locate all resources. New information will be noted.

Requirements (including Reporting Requirements) For Businesses, Non-profits, and Organizations

Video: What To Do If You Receive A Positive Case (for employers)

If two or more staff members develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period, Washington State requires businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to self-report this information to Public Health:

Safe Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance for Public Spaces – Washington State Department of Health

Communication Resources: Messaging Materials, Sample Social Media Postings & more – Centers for Disease Control
Find posters, notices and more conveying important messages about Covid-19 in multiple languages. You will also find sample social media postings on a wide variety of topics related to Covid-19.

Checklists and Guidelines For Conducting Business During Covid
Great resource for employers in planning your re-opening strategy.

Vaccines Toolkits For Businesses and Employers – WA State

Vaccines and Your Employees – What You Should Know – U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Articles with helpful information regarding Tax Credits, Vaccine requirements, and more.

Business Signage Toolkit
Print these posters for businesses for hand washing, mask requirements, etc.

WA State Coronavirus Response Resources Page
Extensive list of state resources for businesses and employees.

Unemployment Insurance, Benefits & Taxes

NOTE: You may still be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits depending upon your personal situation. However, the CARES Act and other federal programs that expanded and extended unemployment benefits expired the week ending Sept. 4, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 page to learn more. 

Employment Security Department
Main Page for Unemployment Information in WA State

Webinars: Introduction To Unemployment Insurance

Shared Work Program Overview
Video of Shared Work Program overview. Shared Work is a special program that helps businesses avoid layoffs. Video also available in Spanish.

WA State Employment Security Department: Layoff Assistance
“The Employment Security Department (ESD) can: Help businesses and workers facing major layoffs, and help prevent layoffs from happening.”

Washington State Assistance

Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants

Other WA State Resources

WA State Department of Revenue
Business Relief During COVID-19 Pandemic

WA State Department of Health: Workplace and Employee Resources & Recommendations
Very good list of resources for managing the many aspects of Covid-19.

Updated Regularly: Businesses Currently Hiring – WorkSource Washington
Essential Workforce Openings (Health care, Grocery, etc.)
King County Jobs
Snohomish County Jobs

WA State Department of Commerce: COVID-19: Insurance For Businesses and Events

Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) Business Resiliency Toolkit
Disaster planning information, guide, and emergency procedures workbook.

Covid-19 Legal Clinic For Small Businesses & Non-Profits – Communities Rise
Virtual clinic helps small businesses and nonprofits connect with a lawyer to navigate the legal issues they are experiencing due to Covid-19.

Watch All Governor Jay Inslee Press Conferences re: COVID-19 Coverage

Governor Inslee Announces Washington’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan – A Safe Return To Public Life
Originally published April 2020 – Learn what the Governor’s 3 Overriding Goals were in Recovery Plan.

Governor Inslee Issues Protections For High-Risk Workers
The proclamation provides older workers and those with underlying health conditions a series of rights and protections.

Bothell – Special Use Permits for Outdoor Dining
City of Bothell is temporarily permitting restaurants to conduct outdoor dining in approved parking lots and closed roads.

King County Festivals & Events Grant Program
The Washington Festivals and Events Association will be helping King County administer a grant program to deliver $2 million in COVID recovery funds to the festival and events industry in the County.

Grants for Bothell Small Businesses
Check for status of grant fund. Grants are being provided for emergency financial support through the Bothell CARES Small Business Grant for qualified small businesses negatively impacted by the mandatory closing of non-essential businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Indicators of Covid-19 Activity in King County
This dashboard provides a snapshot of several useful indicators, or measures, related to COVID-19 activity in our community and its impact on our health and our hospitals. The indicators help determine if current actions are adequate, need to be strengthened, or might be carefully relaxed.

Grants Available From Snohomish County For Small Businesses
Check status of grant program. Apply today to see if you qualify for up to $25,000 in grant funding for your small business located in Snohomish County.

Food Service & Restaurant Resources – Seattle & King County
Guidance for restaurant and food service businesses regarding COVID-19

Snohomish County Info For Business/Employers
An extensive list of resources and materials for employers and employees related to COVID-19.

Business Rent Reduction Request Template Letter (Open in WORD for editing)
Courtesy of Business Australia

Puget Sound Energy Announces Relief Measures 

Washington Health Benefit Exchange / Planfinder
The state’s health insurance exchange has opened a special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are or become uninsured.

Chamber Member’s Pay-It-Forward Campaign To Support Our Local Businesses
Although many of our members are experiencing financial hardship, others are asking how they can help. To service this request for kindness, we have created a way to “Pay it Forward” with a donation towards another member’s Chamber dues.

Workforce Education Opportunities
Get trained to go to work, find a new career, or advance your skills.

SBA Releases Instructions To Calculate & Apply For PPP Loan Forgiveness
Includes Forgiveness Application Form and instructions on how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the CARES act.

Paycheck Protection Plan

Webinar: “Ask the Experts re: PPP”
Designed to help get the answers you need to maximize the $284 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan opportunity. Featured experts include representatives from the SBA and SBDC along with regional lenders from Business Impact NW and Banner Bank. Register to watch anytime

Webinar: Loan Forgiveness – What Every Business Should Know About PPP Loan Forgiveness
Hear from a panel of speakers about how business owners can set themselves up to best utilize their PPP funds – including tips and tricks to navigating this new program and best positioning your business.

SBA – Small Business Administration / EIDL

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Relief Options & Funding Programs – U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SCORE Coronavirus Small Business Resource Center – A mentorship & counseling division of the SBA
A central hub of up-to-date information and best practices for small business resilience at this time. The completely free resource center includes financial support resources, live and on-demand educational content and access to remote mentoring.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Workplace Tips for Employees
General workplace health and safety information.

Centers For Disease Control

CDC Guidance – Your Health

Note: Some relief grants have open enrollment periods and many also offer additional rounds of grants, so we have left the links below available for you to review and check for availability. These sites also offer other resources that may be of assistance to you. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these organizations and their services.

King County’s Revive and Thrive Together Program
King County announces $20 million in economic support for Arts, Culture, and Science Organizations, Independent Music Venues, and Independent Movie Theaters.

Working Washington Grants: Border Business Relief Program
Working Washington grants for businesses impacted by U.S.-Canadian border closure.

Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) Grants
Intended for Washington State nonprofit organizations that provide humanities programming, these grants will help those organizations respond to and recover from the effects of the coronavirus. The grants are funded by the American Rescue Plan via the National Endowment for the Humanities.

WA State Dept. of Agriculture Small Business Assistance
Farmer’s Markets, Craft Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries, Agri-Tourism Farms – The WA State Dept. of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for small business assistance grants to help agriculture businesses and organizations in sectors that have been economically hurt due to marketplace disruptions created by the necessary public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more & apply

Restaurant Revitalization Fund/Grants
Learn more about this program to assist restaurants negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
This grant provides emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by COVID-19.

City of Lynnwood Small Business Relief Grants
Check status of grant fund. Funds for eligible businesses may be used for existing operating expenses, including business rent or mortgage, payroll, utilities, inventory, marketing, and improvements to meet social distancing requirements.

Workforce Education Grants
Students enrolled in a professional/technical program may be eligible for these grants.

ArtsWA Grants
ArtsWA grants support the work of arts organizations across Washington State.

The Plate Fund
Food Service Workers
List of resources of many types posted by The Plate Fund.

GreenRope Offers Free CRM Programs For Qualifying Non-Profits
Customer relationships are key in business and especially during this unusual time. Find out if GreenRope is right for your business and check your qualification.

Google Ad Grants & Free Resources For Non-Profits

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Grants of $500 will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis starting April 2 to those individuals who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund
Open to independent restaurants with under 100 employees. Apply here for temporary relief funds up to $15,000.

Now is the time to review your workplace policies regarding leave, working remotely, wage and hour, and so forth. Chamber Member HR Kinections’ Mia Wyatt is ready to assist you.

If working remotely is in your plans then consider these resources and Chamber Members for assistance:

CMIT Solutions of Bothell, Lynnwood, and Seattle North

Greenlight Techs, LLC

15+ Tools & Resources For Working Remotely

Find Vaccine Locations Here
Effective April 1, 2021 the State of WA has introduced a newer, more extensive and frequently updated website for finding vaccine locations. Vaccines are often available at your local pharmacy as well.

Support Our Restaurants! Rally behind these local restaurant, bakeries, wineries & breweries!
Here is a list with links to all our chamber members in the food and beverage industries. You’ll also find a list of different ways you can support these businesses.

Local Libraries Offer Online Resources For Professionals, Students and Families
Learn about the many FREE resources available ie. movies, magazines, audio books and so much more from King and Snohomish County libraries, and how to get a quick library card!

EvergreenHealth Patient – Vaccine/Coronavirus Information

HealthPoint – Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources

Pacific Medical Centers – Vaccine/COVID-19 Resources

WA State Department of Health – Vaccine/COVID-19 Resources

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