Olympia
Washington
Washington State Economic and Business Resilience Newsletter - November 2022
Government and Politics
November 11, 2022
From: Washington Governor Jay InsleeDepartment of Health
COVID-19 Recent News & Numbers
In coordination with the end of the governor’s COVID emergency declaration on Oct. 31, the Dept. of Health COVID-19 dashboard schedule for data updates will change from Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Wednesday only.
The latest numbers as of 11:59 p.m. on November 1st:
- Confirmed Cases: 1,839,317
- COVID-19 Deaths: 14,530
- For COVID tracking dashboards, disease activity, testing, vaccination and hospitalizations visit the DOH COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
Department of Labor & Industries
Keeping workers safe from COVID-19 doesn't end with lifting of Washington emergency orders
- Every employer must assess their specific workplace for COVID-19 hazards and take steps to prevent employee exposure based on that assessment.
- Workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 should be kept out of the workplace for at least five days per Washington State Department of Health guidance.
- Healthcare workers and others providing care to or working near someone known or suspected to have COVID-19 should wear appropriate, fit-tested, and NIOSH-approved respirators
Employment Security Department
Do you file unemployment tax reports?
Two significant changes coming to fourth quarter unemployment tax filing:
- Upgrade to the latest version of Employer Account Management Services (EAMS) before you file your report.
- Mandatory reporting of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.
Join us for two instructional webinars:
EAMS Upgrade Webinar- Friday, Dec. 9th, 11 a.m. to noon - Register Here
SOC Codes Webinar - Monday, Nov. 14th, 11 a.m. to noon - Register Here
To learn more, explore videos and slide decks:
Ready for the looming recession?
Apply for SharedWork before you need it!
The SharedWork program preserves employees’ jobs and employers’ trained workforce during times of lowered economic activity.
- Questions? Call SharedWork at 800-752-2500, option 3.
- Send an email to [email protected].
- Register for an upcoming webinar: esd.wa.gov/sharedwork/webinar
Department of Commerce
Notice to Grant Applicants
Notifications for Working Washington Grants: Round 5 (WWR5) and Convention Center Grant (CCG) programs were emailed to all applicants on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Applicants with questions about these business grants should contact our customer support team. WWR5/CCG support services are available through December 21, 2022. Due to high volume, e-mail will be the quickest way to receive a response.
- Email: [email protected]
- Call: (888) 242-0169.
Department of Enterprise Services
Learn how to contract with the state
Join Department of Enterprise Services’ free, monthly State Contracting Opportunities & Open House to help small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses learn how to sell goods and services to state and local governments. We leave time in every session to answer your questions.
Topics include:
- Introduction to state contracting
- How to find upcoming contracting opportunities
- Where to get technical assistance & additional training
Join us for our next Open House: November 17th at 3 p.m.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange - WA Healthplanfinder
It’s open enrollment time! Nov. 1st - Jan. 15th
Washingtonians can now sign up for health and dental plans on Washington Healthplanfinder for the 2023 plan year.
More savings than ever! In addition to federal tax credits, a new state subsidy, Cascade Care Savings, is available for 2023 and may further lower monthly premium costs. Customers must enroll in a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan and meet income requirements to qualify for these additional savings.
Need help enrolling? Assisters are available throughout the state to help at no cost answer questions, understand tax credits, and sign up for coverage. Click here to find an assister near you.
How can you support your employees sign up for health coverage? Contact [email protected] for tips.
2022 Governor's Equity Summit - November 30th
Working Together for Results
The Governor's Executive Order 22-02, Achieving Equity in Washington State Government, directs agencies to advance equity and anti-racism in the following areas: Public Contracting, Public Employment, Public Education, and Public Services. The purpose of this summit is to bring community and state government together to lay a strong foundation for achieving equity across Washington state government, now and for generations to come.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, November 15th.
Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance
Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR)
SBRR workshops are provided by members of the Washington state Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT).
The workshops provide helpful information around the regulatory relationship with the government and requirements that businesses can use to save unwarranted penalties, and teach best practices, bottom line cost-saving programs, business solutions, consulting services, and more.
- Next Webinar: Start Your Business in WA
- When? Tuesday, Dec. 6th at noon
Tips & Reminders
Your Invited! 2022 Holiday Makers Market
The Washington Center for Women in Business and the Lacey MakerSpace have teamed up to bring the community a Holiday Makers Market! There will be makers from around the state bringing local, handmade, artisan goods and the fee for booth space is no-cost.
- When? December 16th, 2022 from 10am to 3pm
- For details, visit Washington Center for Women in Business
View upcoming training, event calendars, workshops and networking opportunities:
Office of Minority's & Women's Business Enterprises
Washington Center for Women in Business
Washington Small Business Development Center
This newsletter is a collaborative effort by the following state agencies:
Employment Security Department
Department of Labor & Industries
Emergency Management Division of the Military Department
Our mission:
- To preserve the established connections to businesses for future communication of emergency related information.
- To make it easier for businesses to access state services & resources.
- To provide the latest cross-agency news affecting small businesses.
Published by The Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance