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“Revive and thrive”: Small businesses in unincorporated King County hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for grants of up to $25,000
Summary
As part of King County’s initiative to help our region recover from the pandemic, the King County Council has dedicated $4.5 million to help small business owners in unincorporated areas.
Story
The application period opens Wednesday, July 7 and closes Wednesday, Aug. 4. Small business owners can apply online at https://kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp or by calling 206-477-3800 beginning today.
King County Local Services will administer this new grant program, which is open to businesses with 30 or fewer employees and $3 million or less in annual gross income.
Owners who receive grants will be reimbursed for business-related expenses incurred since March 3, 2021. Reimbursable expenses include rent, payroll, business utilities, goods and services, and COVID-19 accommodation costs.
“The pandemic created unprecedented obstacles for businesses, and for those in unincorporated areas where King County is the local government, these grants will get dollars into the hands of small businesses, helping them recover and emerge even stronger,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our grant program last year offered small businesses a lifeline to help them survive the COVID-19 slowdown, and now as we look to emerge from the pandemic, this new round of grants will help our local economy thrive.”
This program is specifically intended to help small businesses, as was the county’s first round of grants offered last year. Through that earlier program, more than 571 businesses received or are in the process of receiving up to $5,000 each from King County Local Services, for a total of nearly $3 million.
QUOTES
Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, District 2: “Small businesses throughout the country have taken the brunt of COVID-19’s effects. In unincorporated King County, the negative effects are compounded. These grants are an opportunity to help small businesses get back on their feet—a good first step on a long road to economic recovery as a region.”
Councilmember Kathy Lambert, District 3: “I am so excited that we can do these grants to do what we can to help our business not only reopen but thrive as they are an important part of our community and our lifestyle. Our business owners have lived through difficult times, and now we can help them to get back on firm footing and build their successes.”
Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, District 7: “As our state reopens and we move forward, small business will play a critical role in our region’s recovery. I was pleased to support this program and look forward to partnering with small businesses in unincorporated King County as we put COVID-19 behind us.”
King County Local Services Director John Taylor: “Local Services is here once again to support our small businesses with this grant program. With our partners and staff members, we can help small businesses navigate the post-COVID economy to remain viable and able to serve their communities.”
LINKS
- Small Business Assistance Program: https://kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp