Financial Support

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.

Kiva Microloans in Tacoma

In an effort to help underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners gain access to much-needed capital, Spaceworks joins forces with Kiva and the City of Tacoma to offer 0% interest microloans to Tacoma small business owners. These crowdfunded loans fill a critical lending gap for businesses that are too young, too small, or too innovative to receive loans from traditional lenders. Loans range from $1,000 to $15,000 with terms of 1-5 years to pay them back. The process requires no credit score, collateral pledges, or U.S. citizenship documentation.

Learn more about Kiva Microloans in Tacoma

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.

Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Assistance Program.

In partnership with Pierce County and Habitat for Humanity, the City’s new program provides foreclosure prevention counseling and up to four months of mortgage assistance – with a $6,000 cap – paid directly to the loan servicer, bank, or mortgage company of households who live in the city limits of Tacoma, have experienced loss of employment or reduction in wages due to COVID-19, and have an income at or below 80 percent Area Median Income for Pierce County.

Applications for the City’s Foreclosure Prevention Counseling and Mortgage Assistance Program can be submitted online. They will be accepted on a rolling basis with applicants being reviewed on a first come, first served basis until all funds have been awarded.

Requests for general information, information in alternate formats, or for technical assistance with the online application, can be directed to Habitat for Humanity Director of Homeowner Services Deena Giesen at (253) 627-5626 ext. 106, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM or dgiesen@tpc-habitat.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

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 Department of Emergency Management

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

Rapid Response South Sound

Governor Jay Inslee’s Office

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. 

SBA Community Navigator Grant Pilot Program

 SBA announced it is accepting applications for the new Community Navigator Pilot Program, which is open to nonprofit organizations, state, local, and tribal governments, SBA resource partners, and other community organizations. Watch a video of SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announcing the program.

Competitive grant awards will range from $1 million to $5 million for a two-year performance period. Applicants have until July 12 to submit their applications at grants.gov.  On June 2 at 3pm ET, SBA will conduct a technical webinar to provide potential applicants important information about the Community Navigator Pilot Program. Register for the webinar.

Learn more

SBA Accepting Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Applications starting April 24

Find all of details about eligibility and how to apply through the website below:

https://www.svograntportal.sba.gov/s/

“Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program from the ground up to assist and address the diverse eligibility requirements of each type of applicant and we will open for applications on April 8,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “The SBA knows these venues are critical to America’s economy and understands how hard they’ve been impacted, as they were among the first to shutter. This vital economic aid will provide a much-needed lifeline for live venues, museums, movie theatres and many more.”

The SVOG program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which appropriated $15 billion for it. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion, bringing the program funding to a total of $16.25 billion, with more than $16 billion allocated for grants.

To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. The PPP loan applications have been updated to reflect this.

SBA Increases allowable loan amounts – EIDL Loans for non-profits, small business

The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

Learn more

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) Enacted March 11

Small business assistance included in the legislation is as follows:

• • A new $28.6 billion grant program for restaurants and bars that have lost revenue because of the pandemic;
  • An additional $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and an expansion of its eligibility requirements to include more nonprofits and digital media companies;
  • $15 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grants Program to provide grants of up to $10,000 per small business in low income communities that have been most affected by the pandemic;
  • $1.25 billion for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) Program. Eligible applicants can now access the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and PPP to address SVOG’s delayed start;
  • $175 million for the Community Navigator Pilot Program designed to help small businesses in underserved and underbanked communities access the COVID-19 relief resources available to them; and
  • $1.325 billion in administrative funding to the Small Business Administration to ensure the agency has the resources and personnel necessary to implement the programs.
• The process for distribution of funds and selection of awardees determined for each program is posted on this website when available

Helpful Links

• Click here to view a summary of the new federal stimulus package
• From the SBA: Coronavirus Recovery Information in Other Languages (sba.gov)
• SBA Lender Match helps you find lenders – Small Business
• WEDA-Small-Business-Resources-Mobilization-Campaign-Technical-Assistance-Deck-1-19-21.pdf
• U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit
• SBA Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program
• 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
• EXIM is offering the relief measures outlined on their fact sheet
• Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
• Special assistance for Black and Minority-owned Businesses https://nationalbusinessleague.org/ppploans/

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

Tacoma Urban League

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

COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund