Events and updates for SJC businesses

Funding Opportunities

New opportunities keep being created. Here are a few recent or ongoing ones for:

• Friday Harbor businesses. The Town of Friday Harbor was granted additional funds for the Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant II Program, and encourages business owners to apply. Deadline: TODAY Nov. 06, 2020 by 4:30PM.
• 501(c)(3) non-profits. Grant program focusing on those led by and serving black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. For more information see: Philanthropy Northwest’s information page and WA Commerce’s information page on this opportunity. Deadline: TODAY Nov. 06, 2020 by 11:59 PM.
• Charitable community groups. Orcas Food Co-op’s Community Hero Program is a local opportunity for for non-sectarian & non-partisan charitable groups. Deadline: Nov. 30th, 2020.
• Immigrants. Direct payment program for immigrants who are not eligible for federal financial relief or unemployment insurance. For information and application instructions, see Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. Applications accepted through Dec. 6, 2020. Materials and information available in many languages.
• Rural businesses. Loan guarantee program: businesses seeking to use the program should inquire about it through their lenders. More information at USDA’s page. Deadline: September 15, 2021.

Lists of grant and loan opportunities:

The Association of Washington Businesses offers a page listing grant and loan opportunities, as well as pages listing other types of resources.

Impact Washington has a page listing many grant opportunities available to different groups and different industries, some of which are for for-profits, some are for non-profits, and some are for both. Although Impact Washington’s normal focus is manufacturing, they list grants for a very wide range of industries.

Training Opportunities

Business Development Classes:

The Washington Small Business Development Center is offering a number of small business development classes as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Month.

A few that look especially relevant to San Juan County businesses include:

• Nov. 12: Cyber Security for Small Business
• Nov. 13: How to Increase Your Revenue with Google My Business
• Nov. 16: Create a Website That Engages
• Nov. 24: Survival Guide for Food Service Operations

The 24th Annual WA State Business Fair, Tuesday 10 November 2020.

MEET with mentors, advisors, trainers, educators, fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs.
LEARN from savvy business experts how to start, grow or build resiliency for your small business.

For details and free registration go to: https://www.bizfair.org/

Entrepreneur Academy

Eleven free business classes. “The Entrepreneur Academy was created by the Washington State Department of Commerce to teach the skills needed to be a successful business owner.”

Other Updates

PPP

Bulletin from the SBA: 6 Things About PPP Loan Forgiveness Small Businesses Should Know

WSDOT

The Washington State Dept. of Transportation, which runs the ferries, is seeking input on how to evaluate transportation projects.

Forum on county schools’ response to COVID

The San Juan Islands Community Network has organized a forum with San Juan County school administrators to discuss responses to the COVID-19 crisis and address questions about student, staff, and community safety on Sunday, November 8th at 1pm. Registration is available here: https://www.sjicn.org/.

Gift Card Directories

Washington Tourism Alliance Website: “The ShowWAlove.com website is a place where people can find a way to support their favorite local businesses by purchasing gift cards for future use. If a small business has any online ordering or take-out/delivery available, then that can also be included.” — the Washington Economic Development Association

Also check out the local Islands Strong (county wide) and Orcas Strong gift card directories.