Economic Alliance Teams Up to Support Hospitality Firms throughout the County

Restaurants and Hotels COVID Impacts Assessed

Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) and its allied chamber and city partners are reaching out to restaurants and hotels as a business retention effort in March. The goal of the so-called Blitz interviews is to learn about the impacts this sector has experienced from the pandemic and to offer them technical support. 

The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Blitz effort centers around pandemic recovery and building business resilience in the hospitality and food service industry, which is reported to be among the hardest hit by the global pandemic. 

Blitz interviews allow EASC to collect a snapshot outlook on this target sector through a short survey collected from a large sample of businesses over a two-week period in mid-March which leverages volunteer support from multiple agencies and partner organizations. Businesses will be provided information about vital business programs available to support them.

“Hearing directly from business owners provides EASC a unique vantage point in advocating for businesses,” said Garry Clark, EASC President and CEO. “Additionally,  EASC listens and responds directly to the specific needs of an individual business providing access to a myriad of solutions available to businesses.”

EASC will contact a representative sample of more than 1,000 restaurants and hotels countywide either by phone or in-person. 

EASC, the State and County-designated economic development authority, convenes public and private partners such as cities, chambers, utilities and schools, throughout the county to support and navigate companies to available programs, improve the local regulatory business environment, and respond to emerging trends impacting business. 

Many business solution programs and assistance are available free or at little cost. An important example is the EASC partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). SBDC provides confidential business counseling free of charge. State programs such as Startup Washington are also available to businesses, but with new services added and revised frequently, busy business owners rarely have the time to identify the service they need.

About Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) is a non-profit corporation that exists to grow the local economy and create good jobs. Specifically, EASC supports existing and locating Snohomish companies providing information and access to business technical services. In addition, EASC is an advocate for business needs and partners with partners from all economic sectors, leveraging economic assets. Contact EASC to learn more about the many programs and resources available to help your business.