Rebound and Recovery website aims to help small business bounce back
By Kris Johnson We’ve all learned new terms and acronyms in the last few months, from “flattening the curve” and “social distancing” to WFH (working from home) and PPE (personal protective equipment). It’s remarkable how quickly COVID-19 has upended our lives and inserted itself into our daily rhythms. If you run a business, the terms…
Read MoreTax increases considered as a solution to the coronavirus budget shortfalls
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the economic restrictions implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 have had a dramatic impact on the state budget, with shortfalls as large as $10B projected over the next three years. While Governor Inslee has remained non-committal about the prospect of tax increases, members of his administration have…
Read MoreSmall business optimism rebounds, but uncertainty remains
Nationally, the Small Business Optimism Index increased 3.5 points in May to 94.4. That increase reflects a strong improvement from April and shows that small businesses are optimistic that conditions will improve as states reopen following the economic restrictions implemented to contain the coronavirus pandemic. However, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) also reported a seven-point…
Read MoreDowntown site to be used for drop-in homeless shelter
At a meeting on Tuesday, June 16th, the City of Bellingham City Council unanimously voted to move forward with plans to accept the lease and sublease conditions for the Public Market site on Cornwall Avenue for a drop-in homeless shelter. The facility will be used over the next three years, with an option for a…
Read MoreLocal firefighters making free masks for the public
Cotton masks are available for free to those in need courtesy of Whatcom 7 Firefighters. The masks can be picked up between 8am and 4pm in bins outside the front door at Fire Station 41, located at 2020 Washington Street in Ferndale. Shared from News Break
Read More[BLOG] Whatcom County businesses are nearing the middle of PPP forgiveness. Here’s one thing they should do.
While Whatcom County is on a pathway to Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan, many businesses face the possibility of running out of money prior to being able to re-open. The Paycheck Protection Program loans that have been secured by many local businesses require owners to spend funds in an 8-week period starting…
Read MoreCounty businesses get latest health and economic news in WBA’s first “Recovery Whatcom” series webinar
More than two hundred members of the local business community, along with local elected and appointed officials, registered for “Navigating a New Health and Economic Reality in Whatcom County.” The webinar, held Wednesday May 13th, featured local business and health leaders taking questions from attendees looking to better understand what the post-coronavirus landscape could look…
Read MorePeoples Bank responds to local COVID-19 economic challenges; distributes $219 million in PPP loans to small businesses in Washington state
Responding to the urgent demand for emergency funding to support small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Peoples Bank has helped over 1,600 businesses obtain $219 million in Small Business Administration (SBA)-authorized Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. A majority of these loans have been funded, with the remaining loans to be disbursed in the coming…
Read MoreMother’s Day will be a boost for local florists
Not even a pandemic can cancel Mother’s Day. Whatcom County’s sons and daughters are not excused from celebrating mom, even if health experts advise caution (and practicing safe social distancing standards) before seeing her. But while Mother’s Day 2020 will certainly be different, it can still be a special day for mom—and big business for…
Read MoreBrist Manufacturing – We’ve Got This
Across the nation, businesses are closing at a record pace as entire industries remain closed to contain COVID-19. Some companies have pivoted rapidly to manufacturing goods or providing services specifically related to the crisis, including several distilleries that have shifted from alcohol production to manufacturing hand sanitizer. But closing (either temporarily or permanently) or shifting…
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