Reminders of Lessons from 2020 in the face of Delta Variant Surges

Dear Members & MBEs,
Earlier this year we hosted several Town Hall Meetings to learn and understand what we did and did not do to protect ourselves against COVID-19. With the new COVID-19 Delta Variant, we see a high risk of our economy weakening once again. Attached are a couple of slides highlighting Critical Success and Critical Failure Factors to remind us of what helped us get through, and what incapacitated us during the health & economic crisis. We are sending you these slides as a reminder to prepare for this uncertain risk.
Sincerely,
Fernando Martinez
President and Chief Executive Officer

Small Business Flex Fund for Washington Businesses

On June 30th the Small Business Flex Fund was launched as a joint project between the Washington State Department of Commerce, Heritage Bank, and WaFd Bank. The Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access the financial support they need to thrive by providing flexible working capital loans

Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 and the money can be spent flexibly, including on payroll, utilities & rent, supplies, marketing & advertising, building improvements or repairs, and other business expenses. Interest rates are 3% – 4.5%, with no fees & interest-only payments for the first year. Loan terms of 60 month and 72 months available.

The qualifications to apply are:
  • Business headquartered in Washington
  • Fewer than 50 employees
  • Annual revenues of less than $3 million
  • Experienced direct economic hardship due to COVID-19
To learn more and apply today, visit smallbusinessflexfund.org and review the program brochure here.

Public and Private Sector Join Forces to Expand Vaccine Access

Summary

King County, with the support of Boeing, has moved its Auburn vaccination site to the Outlet Collection in Auburn as of March 29 to expand vaccine access.

Story

King County has relocated its Auburn community vaccination site from the General Services Administration Complex to the Outlet Collection shopping center in Auburn, in large part due to a partnership with Boeing, which has contributed to the clinic’s infrastructure. The larger facility will allow for six times the appointment capacity of the previous site.

Expanding vaccine access in south King County

Vaccination efforts have shown tremendous progress in King County. Both the Auburn and Kent vaccination sites have contributed to the larger, county-wide effort of administering over 960,000 doses to date, as well as closing the equity gap for those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

This relocation and vaccine access expansion come at a critical moment. Vaccine eligibility is increasing across Washington, and as of March 31, approximately 1.2 million King County residents will be eligible under the existing and expanding criteria. Continued partnership between County government, the City of Auburn, and partners like Boeing facilitate the infrastructure needed to support ongoing vaccination efforts once supply meets demand.

Our expanded capacity at our Auburn clinic will help us get more vaccine to the communities hardest hit by the outbreak, and help us all stay healthy,” said Executive Constantine. “Working together with our community partners, King County is ready to get everyone vaccinated once supply allows.”

“King County has been relentless in their efforts to provide south King County with COVID-19 resources to fight this virus,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. “I cannot be more proud of our business partners at the Outlet Collection and the Boeing Company for stepping in to help make this strategic move. I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to our local firefighters from the Valley Regional Fire Authority and the Puget Sound Fire Authority who have been working alongside us from the beginning to administer vaccines and care for us. I urge all residents of Auburn to utilize this vaccination site when you become eligible so we can bring this virus under control.”

“The Health Department has recommended moving the site to the Auburn Outlet Collection in order to accommodate as many people as possible”, said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “Their decision is data-driven and supports the finding that access to vaccinations is critical if we are going to defeat this virus.”

“Boeing is honored to support Public Health – Seattle & King County in opening a new mass vaccination clinic in Auburn,” said Auburn Site Leader Melissa Fleener. “Our neighbors in south King County have been impacted by the pandemic to a higher degree than many of the surrounding communities, and we are pleased to be able to provide assistance where it is most needed.”

“We know vaccination is one of the most critical tools we have to slow the pandemic down,” said Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We will continue to work diligently with our community partners at this new Auburn site to ensure we reach even more south King County residents as access and eligibility expand.”

The Auburn Outlet Collection site also offers several other benefits to community members as they prepare for vaccination, including:

  • Easier access by transit – the site is located directly on several major bus lines and can be reached by a direct bus service from Auburn Station.
  • Accessible to those without a vehicle – the previous drive-through only site required access to a vehicle. The new facility is ADA accessible, and mobility assistance from trained staff is available on site to help patients if needed.
  • Indoor operations – the new site is entirely indoors, which prevents weather-related disruptions and creates a safer environment for all during the vaccine administration process.

The current drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the General Services Administration Complex in Auburn will continue to operate. More information on how to secure testing appointments is available at Public Health’s website, COVID-19 Testing Locations.

Registration information

Beginning Tuesday, March 30, eligible residents can register for an appointment at Public Health’s vaccine website, Getting Vaccinated in King County.

Currently, registration is only open to vaccine-eligible residents of south King County. You must have an appointment, so please do not show up directly to the site without an appointment.

Assistance registering by phone: Call Washington state’s COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # for help with registration by phone. For language interpretation state your preferred language when you are connected.

Location information

Source: ht/depts/health/news/2021/March/29-vaccination.aspxtps://www.kingcounty.gov

Covid-19 2020 Impact by Fernando Martinez

President and CEO of the Northwest Mountain MSDC, Fernando Martinez, shares information regarding the impact of Covid-19 on Minority Business Enterprises and Corporate/Public Agency Members in 2020.

 

COVID-19 2020 Impact Presentation

Apply Now! First Bank of the Lake is Accepting PPP Loan Applications

Dear PPP Borrowers: 

The NMSDC Business Consortium Fund “BCF” has partnered with First Bank of the Lake “FBOL” to allow our MBEs to apply for the first and second PPP loans. FBOL serviced over $500MM worth of loans in the first round, and is currently accepting applications for the second round.

What this means for you:

  • Quicker turnaround times as FBOL was one of the top lenders in processing PPP loans in the first round.
  • The process is fully automated and will only require a “wet ink” signature upon your receipt of the closing package prior to disbursement.
  • You will be required to upload all requested documents in the FBOL loan portal. All customer service is handled directly on the website through FBOL.
  • You will get your money much faster as long as you meet the qualifications and provide the requested documents.

You can start your PPP loan application in the First Bank of the Lake online portal! 
To make your application process as seamless as possible, First Bank of the Lake partnered with ApplyforPPP, a trusted technology partner, to make it easy for you to provide what is needed.

Follow the steps below to start your application:

1. Click the button below to go to https://applyforppp.com/BCF and verify your email address. (Please use the Google Chrome browser.)

2. Once your email is verified, you will receive an email from info@applyforppp.com with a secure link to your PPP application. Remember, this is your unique login!

3. When you log into your application, instructions will guide you on which reports or documents you’ll need to upload to complete your application.

Click here to get started with First Bank of the Lake’s PPP Loan Application portal.

A message from:

Adrienne C. Trimble
President and CEO
NMSDC

Resources for PPP Loans

The COVID-19 relief bill that passed in December included additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and includes:

***
CPA’s: Need to talk to a CPA? We have access to CPA’s who are willing to jump on a call with you to assist you with your PPP questions. Email leighj@seattlechamber.com to be connected with a CPA.

Need to find a lender? Below is a list of Chamber members who are processing PPP applications. You can also visit  www.sba.gov/lendermatch to find a lender near you (click here for a map view option).

 Processing new applications for PPP loans for existing customers:

  • Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
  • Banner Bank
  • BECU
  • Columbia Bank
  • Homestreet Bank
  • KeyBank
  • PNC Bank
  • Seattle Credit Union
  • The Commerce Bank of Washington (Division of Zion’s Bancorp)
  • Washington Business Bank
  • Umpqua Bank
  • US Bank

Processing PPP loans for businesses without a pre-existing customer relationship:

  • Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
  • Seattle Credit Union (limited capacity)
  • The Commerce Bank of Washington (Division of Zion’s Bancorp)
  • Umpqua Bank
  • US Bank

Will be processing PPP loans for businesses that come on as new customers:

  • BECU: As a credit union, they are regulated by memberships. You must have a business membership in order to have a business loan. They encourage those who are not current business members to visit their business membership page to review their membership application and requirements.
  • KeyBank: Will process PPP loans for prospects that wish to transition their primary operating deposit account to the bank prior to applying.

Paycheck Protection Program Round 2

A second round of the Paycheck Protection Program reopened with revamped rules and guidelines. Below are key contacts to help you apply for the first or second time:

Bank of America 
Chris Fox
Small Business Regional Executive
christopher.r.fox@bofa.com

Key Bank 
Jimmy Ng
Sr. Business Banking Relationship Manager
Jimmy_Ng@KeyBank.com

Seattle Credit Union 
Angelica Partida Doty
Small Business Development Manager
Angelica.Doty@seattlecu.com

Sound Community Bank 
David Raney
EVP | Chief Banking Officer
David.Raney@soundcb.com

Zions Bank
Robert Rendon
(801)844-7917

COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic

The Communities Rise COVID-19 legal clinics are an opportunity for Washington State entrepreneurs, small businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and cannot afford legal services to receive free legal advice during a 60-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. This clinic is intended for small businesses and nonprofits that cannot afford legal services. To be eligible for pro bono legal services through this clinic, businesses must have less than $2 million in annual revenues or have a significant reduction in revenue, and must have a compelling reason for why they cannot afford legal services.

COVID-19 Client Intake Form

Attachments:

Client COVID Clinic flyer
Chinese Client COVID Clinic flyer
SPANISH2 COVID- 19 Communities Rise Clinic
Somali Client COVID Clinic flyer