November 19, 2020 — San Juan County, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Council (EDC) have awarded over $300,000 in COVID-19 relief grant funds directly to locally-owned and -operated small businesses, community nonprofit organizations and childcare facilities in San Juan County.
These funds will help business owners pay expenses such as rent, utilities, safety improvements, PPE, and pivoting to online sales. A portion of this funding was also designated by San Juan County Council and the Department of Commerce, for local food banks, family resource centers, childcare facilities, farmers’ markets, business support organizations such as the chambers and Ag Guild, and to senior centers throughout the islands. These grant funds were provided through the federal CARES Act to the County and Commerce.
“The County appreciates and thanks the EDC for its tireless effort to help get CARES funds to the community where it could used immediately,” said County Manager, Mike Thomas.
“The board and staff of the EDC were thrilled to participate in getting desperately-needed funding into the hands of our business owners and community nonprofits. Working together, we can survive this – it’s what islanders do in difficult times,” noted EDC executive director Victoria Compton.
Commerce is working on an additional $20 million in small business grants targeted to businesses most impacted by the newest restrictions announced by Governor Inslee Nov. 15. Information on this program will be announced when it becomes available.
Update: We are continuing this series with speakers from other organizations around our archipelago.
A Conversation with the EDC and the Port of Friday Harbor
The Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County invites the public to attend a discussion on the creation of a makerspace system in the islands, on Friday, October 23rd, 2020 from noon-1 p.m., in partnership with the Port of Friday Harbor.
Todd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Port of Friday Harbor, will join Mickey von Dassow, EDC Trades Coordinator, for a talk and a conversation on a potential network of local makerspaces that can support entrepreneurship, education, and innovation throughout the archipelago.
Mr. Nicholson will give a short presentation and Q&A session about the Port of Friday Harbor’s plans for a new Marine Technical Center, focusing on their proposed makerspace. Following his presentation, the group can engage in a discussion, and get to know people with shared goals.
Join the EDC and the Port of Friday Harbor on Friday, October 23rd from noon-1 p.m., for this virtual event on Zoom. Registration is required – due to privacy concerns, registration is limited to adults over 18. Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtdeuhrz0iGNMqP3lMhgNvRxl5lrsPRiAT
October 2, 2020 — San Juan County has extended its Small Business Relief Grant program originally launched on September 1, 2020, to assist for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, and opened eligibility to more organizations. Awards will range up to $5,000 for eligible San Juan County businesses to help them to remain open, retain jobs, and comply with COVID-19 prevention public health and safety measures. The application process is administered by the San Juan County EDC and an independent panel will make final award determinations. Funding for this program comes from CARES Act money received by the County.
Applicants must be located within San Juan County and have been in business for at least one year with up to 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees as of March 11, 2020, including the owner(s). The minimum number of FTE employees has been reduced to allow sole proprietors to apply. This grant program is also open to childcare businesses and the Family Resource Centers. Qualifying businesses can visit the grant webpage at www.sanjuansedc.org/sjccaresfor program details, which includes the complete text of the “Notification of Funding Available” (NOFA)and application portal. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 15that midnight. Grant recipients will be notified on October 27th.
Awards are based on need and the availability of funds. The grant funds are to reimburse costs associated with asymptomatic testing for employees, purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure controls, business rent and utilities, and pivoting a business to online sales. Grantees who have previously received funding from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant, the Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation “Save Small Business” grantor the Valmark Back-to-Business Grant programs are not eligible. Nonprofits other than childcare providers and the FRC’s are not eligible for this program. Grant funds may not be used to cover the same expenses covered by federal funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) or Emergency Economic Injury Grant portion of EIDL.
Application Process:Applications will be reviewed by an independent committee at the close of the application window. Applicants must upload itemized expenses and a signed eligibility certification form. Please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/sjccares for more information and application portal.
September 3, 2020 — The EDC hosted an informal conversation to discuss both of the new grant programs available to San Juan County small businesses on Wednesday 9/2, at 7pm, to answer your questions.
Recording is available here: https://youtu.be/a_1fG7omBfU
Learn about the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant – 2 program (deadline 9/10/20) and the San Juan County Small Business Relief Grant program (deadline 9/20/20) to assist for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Funding for these programs comes from CARES Act money received by Washington State and the County respectively.
NOTE: These are separate grant programs. Eligibility criteria and reimbursable expenses differ between the two. Businesses can apply for both if they meet the eligibility criteria for both but will only receive one. You can see a comparison of the two programs here:
September 1, 2020 — San Juan County has created a Small Business Relief Grant program that will launch on September 1, 2020, to assist for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Funding for this program comes from CARES Act money received by the County. Awards will range up to $5,000 for eligible San Juan County businesses to help them to remain open, retain jobs, and comply with COVID-19 prevention public health and safety measures. The application process will be administered by the San Juan County EDC and an independent panel will make final award determinations.
According to Rick Hughes, Chair, San Juan County Council District #2, “San Juan County feels fortunate that funding from the CARES Act is available to help support island small businesses that have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. While this will not solve every problem, we welcome and support every opportunity to help island businesses, their owners, and their staff during this difficult time.”
Applicants must be located within San Juan County and have been in business for at least one year with 1-10 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees as of March 11, 2020, not counting the owner. Eligible businesses will have EIN and UBI numbers. Businesses that qualify can go to the grant webpage at www.sanjuansedc.org/sjccares for program details, which includes the complete text of the “Notification of Funding Available” (NOFA) and application portal. The deadline to apply is Sunday, September 20th at midnight. Awards will be announced on September 30th.
Awards are based on need and the availability of funds. The grant funds are to reimburse costs associated with asymptomatic testing for employees, purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure controls, business rent and utilities, and pivoting a business to online sales. Grantees who have previously received funding from the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant, the Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant,U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation “Save Small Business” grantor the Valmark Back-to-Business Grant programs are not eligible. Nonprofits are not eligible for this program. Grant funds may not be used to cover the same expenses covered by federal funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) or Emergency Economic Injury Grant portion of EIDL.
Application Process: Applications will be reviewed by an independent committee at the close of the application window. Applicants must upload itemized expenses and a signed eligibility certification form. Please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/sjccares for more information and application portal.
(updated August 27,2020)
August 26, 2020 – The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a second Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG) program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses which qualify for the grant program and are located within San Juan County can go to the San Juan County Economic Development Council webpage at https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2 for program details and application portal.
The San Juan County EDC will prioritize applications based on the severity of the impact the business is facing due to COVID-19, including being forced to close by the government-mandated closures, social distancing measures, or illness. Awards will be approved on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the availability of funds, which are extremely limited. The objective for the grant is to support businesses through the crisis. The deadline for applications is September 10, 2020, at 5pm. As the funds are from a federal source, application requirements are stringent; please see https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2 for details.
Eligibility: Applicants must be located within San Juan County and have been in business for at least one year with 20 or fewer employees as of the date of application. Grantees who have already received funding from the first Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant or the Valmark Back-to-Business Grant programs are not eligible. Nonprofits are not eligible for this program.
Application Process:Applications will be reviewed at the close of the application window. Approved grant expenditures:Grant funds, with a maximum award of $10,000, can be used for operational expenses including rent and utility bills, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and exposure controls, and Covid-19 asymptomatic testing for employees. Applicants must submit documentation of expenses they seek to have reimbursed in their application. Payroll cannot be reimbursed via WWSBEG. Please see full program details at https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2for program details and application portal.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.
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Breaking news: Economic Injury Disaster Loans and EIDL Advance have re-opened for applications. Apply ASAP if you haven’t already!
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
There are still funds in the Paycheck Protection Program as well – check with your banker to apply. More info: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program
Businesses should take a second look at the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in light of substantial revisions signed into law on Friday June 5th. The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act makes several major changes to the PPP. These changes may make the program more attractive to businesses that had decided against using it and more useful to those businesses that had already received it.
Key points include:
- Businesses can spend more (up to 40% of the loan) on non-payroll expenses and still get it forgiven.
- Businesses get much more time (24 weeks, ending prior to Dec. 31, 2020) to spend the loan.
- Businesses can wait longer (up to December 2020) to rehire workers.
- Some flexibility to the rehiring requirements for businesses meeting certain conditions.
- Extension in repayment period (to 5 years).
Businesses should review guidelines as they may change.
The Economic Development Council (EDC), an islands nonprofit, encourages local businesses to speak with their banker about what the changes mean for them. Businesses trying to decide whether the PPP program is right for them may contact the EDC (360-378-2906) for free business counseling.
About
Upcoming Live Events
Recordings
About
Considering a new career? We are starting a new series of talks about entering the skilled trades. Our goal is to get people ready to jump into career development quickly once training opportunities re-open.
Trades professionals are in high demand by local businesses and residents and skilled trades provide above average wages. They are critical for diversifying our county’s economy for a resilient and sustainable future.
We are speaking with people working in trades, in trades education, or related jobs, about what it’s like to work in their field, how to get training, and other key things know about entering a career in trades. We have asked presenters to address these questions and to illustrate their craft with a virtual tour of a workplace, a walk-through of some representative task or problem, or an introduction to a tool of the trade.
Questions? Contact us: info@sanjuansedc.org.
Upcoming Live Events
Join us every other Tuesday at 9AM to speak with professionals in person at our live recordings. Presentations will be followed by Q and A. We invite anyone over 18 years old who is considering entering a new career.
Next up:
- TBD
Registration
Join us via Zoom.
When: Tuesdays at 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada).
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlduuorT8oGtZOIJ1PFDhhBhV2L8ia6yyb
Registration is required, but you can register up until the meeting starts. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting; you can attend one or several meetings with the same registration.
Recordings
Want to listen while you work? You can: most of the Q&A and many of the presentation recordings do not depend on visuals.
Also, all recordings should have closed captions (currently auto-generated).
- Marine Trades: (Aug 11th) Do you love boats and ships? Mike Beemer, Chair of the Marine Maintenance Technology program at Skagit Valley College, spoke about how you can launch your career in the recreational boat, ship repair, and maintenance industries.
- One key point: the 2020 Fall schedule would be great for San Juan County residents. Check it out and apply!
- Videos include: Presentation and Q&A.
- To get a taste of what it’s like, check out their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRH6NoE_L1CyLUCAKHgyBVg .
- More program information: slide deck with contact and program info; student schedule example.
- Masonry: (July 28th) We interviewed (video) Dave Koch of DKC Stoneworks about working in the masonry trades. You may also enjoy his videos for an introduction to the tools and techniques of these trades, and learn about the different kinds masonry work: masonry components of a fireplace (video), masonry hand tools (video), and masonry power tools (video).
- Flagging and Road Construction: (July 14th) Have you ever considered becoming a flagger and getting an opportunity to check out the trades? Vicki Hebert from Smugglers Cove Flagging is giving us peek into the world of flagging and road construction. Videos of presentation (video) and Q&A (video).
- 3D Design & Fabrication/Fab Labs: (June 30th) Introduction to Fab Lab-3D Design & Fabrication. Join Simone Amber (Fab Lab Connect) and Nader Shaterian (School Fab Lab) to learn how to adopt cutting-edge technology with ease and enhance your career with 21st-century skills. Click here for outline/flyer in pdf. After their introductory presentation, we had a discussion about how to create makerspaces in our community. Video is available (video). We are encouraging discussion and organization around this topic on our Slack workspace (part of our the Knowledge Worker Network). To join this discussion, please contact us.
- Solar & Wind Power Installation/Electrician: (June 23rd) Justin Wolfe of Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions Inc. told us about working in solar and renewable energy design and installation. Videos in 3 parts: (1) Justin’s presentation (video) on what they do, renewables in the San Juans, and what’s involved in a building a career in installing and designing residential (and commercial) solar energy projects; (2) a fascinating show-and-tell (video) of a solar/battery setup; and (3) Q&A (video) covering everything from technical issues, to jobs, to renewable energy prospects in the San Juan Archipelago (video in progress).
- Vehicle Technician/Fire Engine Mechanic: (June 16th) Paul Spencer, owner of Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC, described being a fire engine mechanic, and the varied pathways to becoming a mechanic. Two videos: a fascinating virtual tour of his work (video), and a discussion (video) of the pathways to being a vehicle technician, and the difference between a technician and mechanic.
- Construction (video): (June 2nd) Bryan Johnson, the co-founder of Island Craft Builders, LLC. Bryan is a cheerleader for the building trades and believes they offer a tremendous opportunity for financial and personal growth.
- Free Online Career Development Resources At SJC Libraries (video): (May 21st) “Level Up Your Business and Workforce.” Ingrid Vliet (Lopez Island Library) and Boyd Pratt (San Juan Island Library) tell us about library resources that you and your business can use to build skills to survive current challenges and thrive as things re-open. This video has a different presentation format because it was done in a series aimed at businesses.
Learn what you need to know about bankruptcy before you need it. Mary Schmitt, Attorney at Law, discussed: “Title 11 of the United States Code: Bankruptcy-All Those Chapters-Briefly, What Do They Mean?”
Even if your finances and your business are in great shape, this is important information for any business owner, or really anyone, to know so that they can be in a better position to protect themselves, their business, and their assets in case of future stresses.
The video content (BELOW) is all audio, so you can listen while cooking or in your car. There are also closed captions and transcript (auto-generated, but pretty good).
If you have more questions about this topic, let us know.
Mary Schmitt is a Friday Harbor attorney who has practiced bankruptcy law for 28 years. Mary assisted over 2500 individuals and businesses with bankruptcy during the last economic crisis. She offers a free consultation regarding whether to file for bankuptcy. You can find her contact information at www.islandbankruptcylaw.com.
Attorney Schmitt makes the following disclaimer: While Attorney Schmitt strives to discuss the complex information of bankruptcy law as timely and as accurately as possible, the attorney makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the contents of the discussion and expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the content. Every entity’s financial circumstances are unique. Attorney Schmitt, therefore, encourages participants and other listeners to seek individual professional legal assistance regarding bankruptcy law and the relationship of bankruptcy law to the CARES ACT. Attorney Schmitt offers a free initial consultation regarding these issues. She can be reached at 425‐309‐6281 and maryschmitt@rockisland.com. Attorney Schmitt’s website address is www.islandbankruptcylaw.com.