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Vancouver, Wash. – On Monday, May 3, Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will proclaim the month of May as “Support Small Business Month” in Vancouver. The designation coincides with National Small Business Month and National Small Business Week (May 2-8).
“Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate the ongoing resilience and innovative efforts of Vancouver’s entrepreneurs and small businesses during a time in our history when the odds were stacked against them,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “With more than 95 percent of Vancouver’s businesses considered small businesses, not only is this community an essential part of Vancouver’s economic vitality, they are an essential part of making Vancouver a great place to live.”
Throughout the month of May, the city will showcase the stories of local small businesses through a new “Vancouver Loves Local” video series and share opportunities for the community to support local small businesses on social media. Follow the hashtag #CouveSmallBiz and visit the City of Vancouver on Facebook (www.facebook.com/vancouverus), Instagram (www.instagram.com/vancouverus) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/vancouverus) to watch, learn and stay informed.
“Vancouver is not immune to the nationwide toll the pandemic has taken on local businesses,” said Teresa Brum, the city’s economic development manager. “The City of Vancouver is steadfast in its commitment to remove barriers, empower small businesses and provide support to keep our small business doors open.”
Since the pandemic began, the city and its partners have implemented several new programs and opportunities to bolster its small business community, such as:
- Business license surcharge (BLS) fee refund: Saved local businesses $5.5 million in fees by providing refunds for new business license applications and annual license renewals. A new round of relief has been extended through March 2022.
- Street Eats: An internationally-recognized program to remove barriers and support businesses in establishing outdoor seating in parklets, sidewalks, and other public rights of way. This program was recently extended for three more years.
- Street Eats map: An interactive desktop and mobile-friendly tool for residents to discover Vancouver businesses offering outdoor dining and other services.
- Virtual pre-lease conferences: A new, virtual meeting format to support businesses considering a lease of a new space in Vancouver.
- COVID-19 business and worker assistance website: A new webpage featuring up to date information on financial assistance opportunities for local businesses.
Explore COVID-19 business and worker assistance news and information at www.cityofvancouver.us/COVID19BusinessAssistance.