The City of Tacoma continues to find resources that may assist you and your employees. 

Highlights are as follows:

Financial Support

• NEW:  City of Tacoma Rental Assistance Program.  The City of Tacoma has allocated $1.2 million to assist eligible households affected by COVID-19 with rent.  A one-time payment of up to $1,000 is made directly to landlords of selected individuals or families whose households are located in Tacoma, have experienced loss of employment or reduction in wages due to COVID-19, and are 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 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.
  
  
• NEW:  Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program.  Tacoma businesses are now eligible for this program, which was expanded on April 21, 2020.  Businesses that have experienced a 25% reduction in revenues due to COVID-19 may apply if they are located anywhere in Pierce County, have up to 20 employees and have been in business for one or more years.  Loan amounts of $1,000 per employee will be awarded up to $20,000 with no principal or interest payments for 12 months.  Only one loan per business owner or owner group may be provided.  Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis subject to available funds.
  BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION HERE
  
  
• CONTINUING:  Rapid Response South Sound.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County to respond to the business community’s top concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by developing a Rapid Response Team and Rapid Response South Sound website co-sponsored by the City of Tacoma and other local businesses and organizations.  Answers are provided to specific questions previously posed by businesses regarding financial, government regulation, human resources, legal and communications/marketing assistance.  Businesses and organizations also have the opportunity to ASK THE EXPERTS to resolve their issues.  Reliable responses will be provided within 24 hours.
  
  
• NEW:  H.R. 266:  Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (awaiting final approval expected on April 23, 2020).  The most recent COVID-19 relief bill contains the following key provisions:  $310 billion added to the Paycheck Protection Program, of which $60 billion will be reserved for small businesses without existing banking relationships (Banks Currently or Planning to Accept Paycheck Protection Loan Applications from Non-Customers), $60 billion added to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan fund ($50 billion in loans and $10 billion in grants), and other support.  Apply promptly.
  
  
• NEW:  National Endowment for the Humanities:  NEH CARES.  States and local governments as well as non-profit cultural organizations may apply for emergency relief grants of up to $300,000 to support a range of humanities activities across the fields of education, preservation and access, public programming, digital humanities, and scholarly research through December 31, 2020. Funding may be used for short-term activities that emphasize retaining or hiring humanities staff at cultural organizations across the country to maintain or adapt critical programs during the pandemic.  Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is May 11, 2020.
  
  
• NEW:  Salesforce Care Small Business Grants.  Salesforce has partnered with the membership-based business support organization Ureeka to provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.  Salesforce will offer $10,000 grants to eligible businesses for replenishing materials, paying employee salaries, or adapting their business model to overcome these challenging times. In addition, grant recipients will receive out-of-the-box Salesforce and Tableau software, and Ureeka business counseling services.  The grant application opens to Washington-based businesses on April 27th at 8:00 am and closes on May 4th at 11:59 pm.  Review Ureeka’s FAQ’s and detailed eligibility requirements in advance of applying.

Employer & Employee Resources

• NEW:  Washington State Employment Security Department.  On April 18, ESD launched the expanded unemployment benefits that were provided in the CARES Act at ESD.WA.Gov.  Benefits have been expanded to include:  (1) Many Washingtonians that were ineligible, including many self-employed people and those that don’t have the typically required 680 hours; (2) An additional $600 per week available to nearly everyone on unemployment from March 29, 2020 through week ending July 25, 2020; and (3)  Benefits extended by 13 weeks, for a maximum of 39 (about nine months). This includes people who were already on unemployment as well as those who are newly eligible.  Recommendations:

1. Sign-up for COVID-19 Action Alerts – for the latest updates on what you need to know to access benefits in a rapidly changing situation.
2. Check Your Eligibility – download the eligibility checker to help you better understand what benefits you may be eligible for, and when to apply.
3. Download the Applications Checklist – find out if you are eligible for unemployment benefits if you are unable to work due to COVID-19.
4. Set-up Your SecureAccess Washington Account – get access to online e-services.

Preventative Back to Work Measures

• NEW: At the April 21, 2020, press conference, Governor Inslee stated that the return to work in Washington State will be gradual.  He compared it to moving a dial rather than flipping a switch.  In preparation for this, attached are documents that Impact Washington has developed to assist manufacturers.  This information may also be useful to other businesses in drafting their worker safety plans.
  COVID-19 Emergency Back to Work Prevention Measures
  Impact Washington Preventive Manufacturing Back to Work Measures

Events & Training

• CONTINUING: Access a calendar of COVID-19 and other business development events and training that may assist you with business continuity, accessing new markets and engaging in other opportunities. More events have been added to assist employers.

City of Tacoma Community and Economic Development Department Business Survey: How Can We Serve You Better?

During the last several weeks, we have focused on primarily tracking financial resources to assist businesses. We understand that this continues to be of concern. Yet we would also like to learn what other needs you have so that we may enable you to strengthen your business in Tacoma. We invite and encourage you to participate in a very short, 7-question survey. Information collected will be used to provide business support.

Please respond by the deadline of April 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. Click Here to Start Survey

Thank you for all of your efforts to sustain your businesses and employees. If you have specific questions or information to share, please reach out to us directly by email at MakeItTacoma@cityoftacoma.org or by phone at 253-591-2012.