From assistance navigating the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) maze to help finding a path to recovery, new resources are available for small businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SmallBizHelpWA.com

COVID-19 recovery assistance is available. Finding it isn’t always easy. SmallBizHelpWA.com is a new online hub that makes it simple for small businesses and eligible nonprofits to find PPP lenders, training opportunities, technical assistance and other recovery resources. The website was created by the Washington State Small Business Recovery Working Group.

Students Helping Business

For small businesses looking to get back on track, the University of Washington Tacoma Milgard School of Business can help in the recovery journey. Through the new Students Assisting Business (SAB) program, Master of Science in Business students are assigned to assist local companies with special projects at no cost, including marketing analyses, customer outreach, loan program data collection and review, social media and more.

Learn more about the program, and how it’s making a difference in the South Sound.

EDB extends outreach

Large businesses can withstand catastrophe better than smaller ones. Over the last year, the EDB has found ways to provide crucial support to small businesses dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EDB has upped outreach efforts to this vital segment of Pierce County’s economy, particularly among Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) owned businesses. In January, the EDB and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) co-hosted a webinar to help businesses prepare for Round 2 of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). A total of 400 participates attended. In February, the EDB joined panelists at the Black Owned Business Excellence Conference, an all-day virtual conference to celebrate, educate and inspire Black business owners.

As long a help is needed, the EDB will continue to support Pierce County’s small and BIPOC-owned businesses on their road to recovery.