City of Tacoma Media and Communications Announcements

Visit this site to stay informed of what the city is doing to ensure continuity of services, learn of any changes or delays to services, and to read updates from the Mayor’s office.

City of Tacoma Small Business Resiliency Grant Program  DEADLINE TO APPLY EXTENDED UNTIL 11:59 P.M. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26

The City of Tacoma has created the Small Business Resiliency Grant Program to assist eligible businesses with economic recovery.  A total of $645,000 of federal Community Development Block Grant funds are available.  Businesses must (1) be licensed and physically located (brick-and-mortar) in Tacoma including home-based and food truck operations, (2) meet the low/moderate income requirements established by federal funding eligibility guidelines, (3) employ five or fewer full-time equivalent employees including the owner and (4) be able to demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19.  A one-time payment of $10,000 will be made to businesses selected at random by lottery.

City CARES Act funds for utility bill assistance available to Tacoma small businesses

Tacoma Public Utilities launched a new utility bill assistance relief program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19 . The funds are a component of the City of Tacoma’s Coronavirus Relief Funds from the federal CARES Act that were allocated to cities as part of Washington State’s response to COVID-19. Small businesses operating from a brick and mortar building within the city limits of Tacoma with an open TPU account and 50 or less employees could qualify for TPU’s new utility bill payment assistance program. Funds can be applied to charges incurred since March 17, and applications are due by November 6, 2020. MyTPU.org/SmallBizAssistance

Pierce County COVID-19 Adaptation Grant Program

This funding may help offset some of the costs businesses and organizations have incurred as they make changes to reopen consistent with the Governor’s Safe Start Plan.  To be eligible for a reimbursement grant, applicants must have a written plan for how you are operating safely under new COVID-19 guidelines, provide documentation of COVID-19 related expenditures, and be actively operating and physically located in Pierce County.  Grant Program Expanded to Include All Sized Companies

Maximum Reimbursement Grant Amounts Now Up to $50,000

Get reimbursed for up to 50% of expenses related to implementing COVID-19 safe start practices

Click here to apply now 

Questions? Contact PCAdaptGrant@piercecountywa.gov

The City of Tacoma has allocated $1.2 million to assist eligible households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with rent payment. The Rental Assistance Program provides a one-time payment of up to $1,000 directly to landlords of selected individuals or families who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Households located in the City of Tacoma
• Households who have experienced loss of employment or reduction in wages due to COVID-19.
• Households at or below 50% Area Median Income for Pierce County

To submit an application, visit the city’s Coronavirus Updates page.

Some funds have been set aside for direct referrals by community agencies that are helping to address inequities faced by people of color in our community. If you are a service provider that would like to make a direct referral, please contact LASA at communityengagement@lasawa.org.

COVID-19 Tax Relief for Tacoma Businesses

To access the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Tacoma Business Center PPE Grants and one-on one Technical Assistance to assist your business with the Covid-19 business recovery efforts.

To request PPE and or technical assistance for your business continuity and or business assessment; please apply here https://mbda-tacoma.com/mbda-tacoma-launches-cares-act-program/ or contact

Malika Godo
CARES Act Project Manager
MBDA-Tacoma Business Center
mgodo@cityoftacoma.org
T: (253) 344-6632

Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality

The City of Tacoma is now accepting Community Arts Projects funding applications from eligible organizations producing publicly accessible arts programming, across all artistic disciplines, within Tacoma city limits in 2021. Applicants can apply for a flat amount of either $3,000 or $6,000 for their project. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on November 9, 2020.

https://www.cityoftacoma.org/in_the_news/2021_community_arts_projects_funding

Tacoma Public Utilities

Tacoma Public Utilities’ Emergency Assistance Program has pledged $2.4 million in emergency assistance for customers facing financial hardship. Learn more about eligibility and the application process here.

If you have questions about a commercial account, you may contact Business Solutions Office directly M-F 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 253-502-8606 or businesssolutions@cityoftacoma.org.

Puget Sound Energy Responds to COVID-19

Puget Sound Energy is taking measurable actions to help our customers and communities during this coronavirus situation.

Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program

Pierce County small businesses who have experienced significant economic injury as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for this loan program if they meet the below criteria. The Pierce County Council expanded this loan program on April 21, 2020 to include employers with up to 20 employees for businesses located anywhere in Pierce County, including incorporated cities.

The intent of this loan program is to help as many small businesses as possible. Therefore, there will only be one loan per business owner or owner group regardless of the number of business locations an ownership may have.

Loan amounts of $1,000 per employee will be awarded up to $20,000. Loans will be offered to qualified applicants at no interest and no payments for 12 months. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, subject to available funds.

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a business physically located anywhere in Pierce County including incorporated cities
• Have 20 or fewer employees (including business owner)
• Be in operation for one or more years (businesses that have had a change in ownership in the past 12 months may be eligible)
• Demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in revenues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Companies who have already received funding under this program are not eligible to re-apply.

BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION HERE

Pierce County Department of Emergency Management

• Guidance on Federal Disaster Loans for Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits

Rapid Response South Sound

Governor Jay Inslee’s Office

The Governor’s proclamations page can be found here. ​​

The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Philanthropy Northwest to provide $2 million of relief funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act with a focus on community-based nonprofits and Tribal organizations most impacted by COVID-19.

How to apply

Grant applications from eligible 501c3 organizations are due by Nov. 6, 2020. Find all information and application materials here.

Free technical assistance is being provided by 20 culturally specific partner organizations to help with the application process, including access to help in different languages.

Two online information sessions will be held in English via Zoom this week:

• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 – 11 a.m. PDT
• Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 – 8 p.m. PDT

The Zoom conference line is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89880601482

Zoom meeting ID: 898 8060 1482

Via phone: 1-253-215-8782

Rental Housing Association of Washington

COVID-19 Resources and Information for Housing Providers and Renters.

Washington State Department of Commerce

Washington State Department of Commerce Economic Resiliency Team (ERT) Business Response Center

The team is currently able to answer questions as quickly as they are received. If you’re a business owner or operator with a question, Ask Your Question Here. 

Washington State Small Business Resiliency Grant Program

The Washington State Department of Commerce has created its Small Business Resiliency Grant Program to support businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  A total of $5 million of federal CARES Act relief funds are available.  It is Commerce’s intent to award each eligible applicant the maximum award of up to $10,000 based on the number of applications.  Eligible applicants must be a licensed business in Washington State in good standing, have been in operation since March 1, 2019, have 20 full-time and/or part-time employees as of March 1, 2020, and meet other requirements. Applications will be accepted between October 6, 2020 through October 28, 2020 at 12 p.m.  For further information and to apply,  https://zoomgrants.com/gprop2.asp?donorid=2355

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services: For Manufacturers/Distributors of Essential Products

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is prioritizing and organizing procurement of essential products in coordination with the Governor’s Office. More specifically, specific infection-control products and other health care supplies identified in the link above are needed immediately and in the foreseeable future. The State is able to buy these products with a purchasing card or purchase order. Impact Washington, a State-funded technical assistance provider, is working with DES by interfacing and coordinating with manufacturers/distributors.

View this information sheet to learn more about how manufacturers/distributors of Personal Protective Equipment can get involved.

The first step is to record what companies have available through this online form.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a simpler loan forgiveness application for PPP loans under $50,000 each. SBA has started approving loan forgiveness applications. The deadline was June 30, 2020 for Paycheck Protection Program funds, Make It Tacoma is maintaining this content on the website until it is deemed no longer useful.  Learn more at: Paycheck Protection Program

US Small Business Administration/Department of Treasury Coronavirus Relief Options

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury have begun releasing the information that will guide the programs created through the (CARES) Act. For your convenience, we have linked the programs below with a short summary of their details, plus any documentation created for further clarification.  

Additional Guidance:

This FAQ sheet from the Association of Washington Business may help you decide which program is best for your business. 

View a matrix comparing the CARES Act loans.

Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance (EIDL) 

To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 on June 15.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000 (in grants). 

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. 

Paycheck Protection Program 

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. 

Who is eligible? Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. 

Additional guidance:  

Washington Credit Unions Offering Paycheck Protection Program Loans

SBA Participating Lenders – Seattle District Office

Banks Currently or Planning to Accept Paycheck Protection Loan Applications from Non-Customers

SBA Paycheck Protection Program FAQs

Economic Innovation Group Paycheck Protection Program Overview

US Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Checklist

Employee Retention Tax Credit 

WASHINGTON — July 15^th is the IRS tax filing extension date. Businesses who have retained jobs may claim an exemption. The Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Additional Guidance: 

US Chamber of Commerce Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit for COVID-19 Impacted Employers 

SBA Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program 

This program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. 

Terms 

• Up to $25,000 
• Fast turnaround 
• Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan 

Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender by connecting with your local SBA District Office. 

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. Under this program: 

• The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020. 
• The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months. 

The loans eligible for this relief include those guaranteed by the SBA, such as the SBA Business Loan Program (including the Community Advantage Pilot Program, but excluding PPP Loans) or Title V of the Small Business Investment Act. Loans made by an intermediary to a small business using loans or grants received under the SBA’s Microloan Program are also eligible. 

Additional SBA Financing, Exporting and Advising Resources

• SBA Loan Guarantee Program for working capital, microloans, express loans and lines of credit
• Counseling services through the SBA Resource Partner Network to help in creating preparedness plans.
• SBA COVID-19 resources here

National Council of Nonprofits

Visit this site for guidance on the CARES Act specific to charitable nonprofit organizations. Resources include a CARES Act Loan Options matrix and webinar titled: Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?

Export/Import Bank of the United States

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is announcing relief provisions for exporters and financial institutions located throughout the United States that may have been affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus). EXIM is offering the relief measures outlined on their fact sheet, including waivers, deadline extensions, streamlined processing, and flexibility, to our customers for an initial period of 30 days (with the possibility of a further extension of the period, at EXIM’s discretion) to enable businesses and financial institutions that participate in our programs to return to their business concerns and EXIM-related obligations at an appropriate time without penalty.

Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center

• Federal assistance to help manufacturing companies hurt by imports

United States Government

Comprehensive Official verified and updated Information of all aspects of the Federal Covid-19 Response.

www.USA.gov/coronavirus

Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19 | USAGov
Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19. Learn about international travel restrictions, how you can prepare for coronavirus, and what the U.S. government is doing in response to the virus.

www.usa.gov

In this section, the City of Tacoma is providing information especially related to private sector funding, grants and resources to assist small businesses affected by COVID-19.  It does not represent an endorsement.  Businesses are advised to conduct their own due diligence to determine how this assistance may meet their needs.

Tacoma Urban League

• Directory of Youth Resources & Programs
• Transportation Support for Food & Essential Workers
• Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Emergency Funding Application Help

Forbes – Small Business Relief Tracker:  Funding, Grants and Resources for Business Owners Grappling with Coronavirus – May 2020

COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund