NMTA Update & Small Business Resources - COVID-19

Dear NMTA Members –

All of us are in uncharted waters as we do our best to navigate the coronavirus outbreak. I’d like to share some important new resources that may help you navigate the outbreak as a business owner and some new programs from the State and City of Seattle to assist businesses in mitigating for the economic impact of the outbreak. I’d also like to share a brief update of NMTA activities.

Sincerely,

George Harris
NMTA President/CEO

NMTA Update

The NMTA Annual Meeting for April 15 has been canceled and members that registered have had their registration fees refunded. We remain committed to producing events and supporting activities that increase boating sales and activity. Our next event is the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show, May 14-17. We are closely monitoring CDC and State guidelines, and actively discussing contingency plans for the Show so boating and fishing remain top of mind for your customers and our members can participate in this important selling event. This is a dynamic, fast changing situation we find ourselves in and we will continue sharing updates as needed. NMTA staff are working remotely and available to assist you any way we can. Members can contact me directly at george@nmta.net .

Business Resources

NMTA, in coordination with the Association of Washington Business, chambers around the state and business associations, has been advocating to local, county, state, and federal officials for more help to mitigate the economic impact of the outbreak, especially for vulnerable businesses and employees.

The Governor has responded with expanded benefits programs and a resource list. These include programs such as SharedWork, which provides partial wage replacement to avoid layoffs, and standby, which suspends the job-search requirement for workers to collect unemployment benefits if an employer must make temporary layoffs. You can see a chart of available benefits for various COVID-19 scenarios here.

Seattle’s Mayor Durkan has set up a business task force to help with Seattle’s response to the economic impact of the outbreak. Peter Schrappen from NMTA is in touch with the Seattle Metro Chamber delegate on that task force. Mayor Durkan also announced an initial recovery package, which includes expanding the Small Business Stabilization Fund, tax deferral, utility relief, and assistance to access SBA loans. You can view the elements of that package here.

Our Congressional delegation has been receptive to ideas that would help businesses during the crisis. We are creating a list of ideas that we will propose to our delegation.

NMTA is also creating a list of disruptions and we would like to hear about the business disruptions you are experiencing. Please contact Peter Schrappen, NMTA VP & Dir. of Government Affairs at peter@nmta.net. Peter will catalog a list he can share with lawmakers and staff at the city, state and federal levels - they want to know how they can help. The list can include staffing, supply chains, and orders.

Also, I wanted to share the email below from our partners at the Washington Retail Association. Please read below and sign up if this interests you.

The Washington Retail Association is offering these resources to our members and partners:

▪	Please Join this Important Interactive, “Running Your Business in Response to COVID-19” webinar, Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 10:00 am Pacific Time. Register here today

▪	A dedicated Retailer Resource Guide is now available at COVID-19 resource webpage.

The Coronavirus has been the pressing priority globally and locally. Washington Retail Association would like to acknowledge the rapid response and resiliency demonstrated by the business community and the employees during this unprecedented situation.

As we represent the retail industry, we want to provide resources for your business and share best practices as we navigate together through these issues.

Our guest speaker will be Nick Strueli, Legislative and Executive Operations Director from the Employment Security Department. Nick will discuss the types of resources available for you and your employees including:

▪	What are my options for a temporary reduction of hours and standby?

▪	What will be the impact on my business?

▪	How might I navigate through these issues?

▪	Nick will share best practices with the audience.

▪	Q&A: Audience participation. What are your current challenges?

Please invite your peers and others that might benefit from this vital information. If you have questions please contact Terry Hopsecger, Director of Business Development, Washington Retail Association thopsecger@waretailservices.com