City of Pullman

Check out this Back To Work Toolkit

Governor Inslee has asked all businesses to ensure adequate cleaning of stores, and to designate an employee or officer to implement a social distancing plan for their business.

Most workers in Washington will have to wear a mask or face covering at work under new coronavirus workplace safety and health requirements that take effect June 8. The Washington State Departnent of Labor & Industries has a COVID-19 webpage where employers can find training materials and important PPE guidance.

The ICSC recommends upgraded cleaning and hygiene practices. Key components of these practices include the disinfecting of areas susceptible to the spread of viral germs, including children's play areas, public restrooms, door handles, handrails, tables, etc., as well as scheduled daily cleaning of remaining spaces.

Businesses should install and maintain dispensers for alcohol-based hand sanitizer in locations where the spread of germs is likely, and where normal soap and water hand washing stations are unavailable. 

It is important that businesses establish and maintain open lines of communication with local health departments, and continue to follow local health directives.

Educate people about COVID-19 precautions and recommendations by displaying CDC public service announcements at entrances and throughout the property. Property owners should distribute these communications to tenants.

Consider establishing work cohorts, teams that work the same hours together, to enable resiliency. 

Encourage employees to stay home when they are sick. 

Provide employees with the appropriate resources to help protect themselves and their families.

Masks are a key Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item, that can help to keep your employees and your customers safe. We have identified the following companies, which may be helpful in obtaining PPE for your business. We will continue adding to this list in the days ahead:
-BESS International (Order priority given to Washington businesses & residents)
-KADE & VOS 
-Monroe Mens

Inland Northwest PPE Requests
Washington State Coronavirus Response Requirements

Pullman Marketing Webinars for Small Business

In order to maintain sales, businesses should consider updating product and service options to accommodate online ordering, take-out, and delivery.

Provide current information for consumers by maintaining Google pages, social media accounts, and websites to reflect accurate information about product and service availability.

Palouseinfo.com lists the status, services and options for businesses. You can add your updated information.  

The Chamber of Commerce's COVID-19 page is hosting updated Pullman restaurant delivery & take-out options as well as retail and other business updates.

The following local contacts are glad to assist with SBA loan applications:

Aziz Makhani, Certified Business Advisor
Washington SBDC
(509) 335-8081

Marie Dymkoski, Director
Pullman Chamber of Commerce
(509) 334-3565

Jennifer Hackman,  Economic Development Manager
City of Pullman
(509) 338-3168

WaFd bank is offering a Coronavirus Business Line of Credit, a five-year line of credit with 90 days interest-free, for businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

Be sure to also check out Governor Inslee's Resource List for Businesses & Workers.

Cap: $1 million
Turn-around Time: ~36 hours
Loan Forgiveness: None 
Interest: 4.5–6.5% over the prime rate
Deferment of Payment: Up to six months
Covered Loan Period: February 15, 2020 – June 30, 2020.  

Cap: $1 million
Turn-around Time: ~36 hours
Loan Forgiveness: None
Interest: 4.5–6.5% over the prime rate
Deferment of Payment: Up to six months
Covered Loan Period: February 15, 2020 – June 30, 2020. 

Apply by May 27, 2020 for COVID-19 Microenterprise assistance grants for up to $5,000 each.

Funds are available on a limited basis, and applicants are not guaranteed assistance. Over $80,000 has been made available for these grants through a Whitman County Community Development Block Grant and Washington State Department of Commerce. These grant funds are based on COVID-19 impact to your business and to your personal household income.

For your privacy, information collected will remain confidential, used only to meet federal and state record keeping requirements, and withheld as applicable from disclosure.


Who qualifies?

-Small businesses with up to 5 full-time employees (or 5 full-time equivalent)
-Owner and business located in Whitman County
-Financially impacted or closed by COVID-19 and/or Stay Home order
-Business must operate from a brick and mortar location; ie, is not a home-based business
-Owner’s anticipated household income is within Whitman County LMI Limits

The Fund is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees, and operate in an economically vulnerable community.

The grant application will go live on Monday, April 20 at 3:00 PM ET / 1:00pm MT / 12:00pm PT / 11:00am Alaska. To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund and to apply for a grant, visit: www.savesmallbusiness.com.

Verizon and LISC have partnered to roll out a Small Business Recovery Fund with a second round of funding expected mid-April. Find out more here Verizon and LISC Small Business Recovery Fund 

GoFundMe has created Small Business Relief Initiative: Small Business Relief Initiative and Fund FAQs

Facebook has created a Small Business Grants program: Small Business Grants Program page

Google has created a Small Business Grant, largely based on free advertising credits: COVID-19 Ad credits for Google Ads Small and Medium-sized Businesses