The City of Tacoma is highlighting information on important resources, including funding, to assist you and your employees.  

• NEW:  Economic Development Board Vitality Grant.  On September 9, 2020 at 10 am PDT, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, will open applications to small businesses for a $5,000 grant derived from Federal CARES Act funds awarded to the State of Washington.  A total of $490,000 has been allocated to support 98 Pierce County businesses.  For-profit businesses operating in Pierce County with 20 or fewer full-time employees who have been impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible.  They must be in business since March 16, 2019 and must submit a valid W-9 as well as a UBI number.  Further information is available on the Economic Development Board for Tacoma Pierce County website.  Applications on a first-come, first-served basis will close at 5 pm PDT on September 20, 2020.  Apply promptly at www.edbtacomapierce.org/edbvitalitygrant/.  

• CONTINUING:  Pierce County CARES:  Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance Program.  Businesses currently operating under recent rollbacks of Phase 2 reopening requirements or companies prohibited from opening until Phase 3 or 4 of Washington's Safe Start reopening plan may be eligible to receive up to three (3) months of commercial rent or mortgage assistance.  More specifically, these businesses include restaurants/bars/taverns, wineries/distilleries/breweries, indoor family entertainment & recreation centers, fitness centers/gyms, and movie theaters/live entertainment venues.  Grants will not exceed $5,000 per month of the monthly rent or mortgage obligation, whichever is lesser, up to a maximum of $15,000 total.  Payments must be incurred between September 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020, and will be made directly to the landlord or lender identified in the application.  Apply online at https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/6957/Commercial-RentMortgage-Assistance-Progr. 

• CONTINUING:  Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Tacoma Business Center PPE Grants and One-On-One Technical Assistance Regarding COVID-19 Business Recovery Efforts.  To request PPE or technical assistance related to business continuity and/or business assessment, please apply here:  https://mbda-tacoma.com/inquiry/ or contact Malika Godo, CARES Act Project Manager, at mgodo@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 344-6632.

• CONTINUING:  Pierce County Emergency Small Business Relief Program.  Pierce County small businesses, including those located in Tacoma, who have experienced significant economic injury due to COVID-19 may apply for a loan if they have 20 or fewer employees, have been in operation for one or more years and demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in revenue attributable to COVID-19.  Loans are offered to qualified applicants at no interest and no payments for 12 months. Recently, the Pierce County Council and Executive passed an ordinance that allows a business to convert its emergency small business relief loan to a forgivable loan if certain conditions are met. Apply online at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6770/Emergency-Small-Business-Relief-Loan-Pro.  Businesses have until November 30, 2020 to complete the loan forgiveness process.
  
  
• CONTINUING:  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 they 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.  The grant program has been expanded to include all companies in Pierce County regardless of employment size.  Businesses will now be awarded one-time reimbursement grants of up to $50,000.  For further information, apply at www.piercecountywa.gov/6877/Adaptation-Grant-Program.
  
  
• CONTINUING:  INVISTA Matching Grant Program for Employee Training.  Up to $1 million are available to companies that need customized training for their workers.  The program offsets employee training costs with Washington State funding matched by a firm's paid trainee wages and benefits during the training.  For further information, reach out to Invista at https://www.invistaperforms.org/2-4m-available-now-wa-state-offers-your-company-grant-funding-for-training-programs/.

• CONTINUING:  Lower Loan Debenture Rates.  The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced updated interest rates for the 504 Loan Program that Certified Development Companies offer.  Small businesses can now apply for the lowest interest rates since July 2018 as the program now allows 20- and 25-year interest rates at 2.214% and 2.269% respectively. Firms that want to expand their real estate or enhance their working capital should visit:  https://www.sba.gov/brand/assets/sba/sba-lenders/504-Loan-Fact-Sheet-Borrower-Version.pdf. 

• CONTINUING:  Employee Retention Tax Credit.  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 may be found at:  US Chamber of Commerce Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit for COVID-19 Impacted Employers.

• CONTINUING:  Facebook Grants to Support the Black Community: Facebook committed an additional $100 million investment to support Black-owned businesses, creators and non-profits in the US. Of that amount, they are allocating $40 million in grants to support 10,000 Black-owned businesses in the US. Any majority Black-owned business with 50 or fewer employees can apply for a grant. Facebook is partnering with Accenture and the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) to get these grants to Black-owned businesses quickly. Businesses can visit facebook.com/BlackBusinessGrants for more details about the program and how to apply.  
  
  
• CONTINUING: The Sara Blakely Foundation (Spanx) has teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund which will provide 1,000 grants of up to $5,000 to female entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. through September/October 2020. The next application process is open from September 8 - 14, 2020.  Apply promptly at  www.globalgiving.org/redbackpackfund/.

GlobalGiving - The Red Backpack Fund GlobalGiving is a registered nonprofit with a mission to accelerate community-led change. We have a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and are accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. As part of our mission, we provide tools, training, and support to help people and businesses make the world a better place. www.globalgiving.org

• CONTINUING: Rapid Response South Sound. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Economic Development Board for 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.
  
  
• CONTINUING: Washington State Department of Commerce Economic Resiliency Team (ERT) Business Response Center. Business owners and operators may obtain answers to general business inquiries regarding financial assistance, return to work or other business questions related to recovery efforts. ASK YOUR QUESTION HERE.

Safe Start Washington 

• NEW:  Check the Safe Start Washington section of MakeItTacoma.com, which is updated whenever new government guidelines are issued.  Find the full list of current reopening guidance here.

• CONTINUING:  The City of Tacoma launched an Expansion of Sidewalks Cafe Program to help businesses reopen after COVID-19 closures.  A permit for the Curbside Cafe and Market Pilot Program can accommodate temporary structures, such as tables, chairs, planters and shade coverings in a portion of the street right-of-way to expand the ability for businesses to serve customers.  Application fees, street use fees and the cost of on-street parking related to the pilot program will be waived.  Learn more at: https://www.tacomapermits.org/tip-sheet-index/curbside-cafe-market.

Curbside Cafe / Market Curbside cafés/markets, also known as streateries or parklets, are similar to sidewalk cafés but located in a parking space in the right-of-way. They function as an extension to an existing restaurant’s seating area or retail store. Curbside Cafes/Markets are permitted to be used only during the regular operating business hours of the host establishment.   www.tacomapermits.org

• CONTINUING:  Here is a link to the City of Tacoma Fire Department guidance for businesses to determine their maximum occupancy: https://www.tacomapermits.org/tip-sheet-index/safe-start-business-occupancy-guidance
  For questions, email  pdsbuilding@cityoftacoma.org.
  
  
• NEW and CONTINUING: Safe Start Washington is a phased approach to reopen businesses gradually provided that adequate social distancing measures and health standards are in place.   On the Make It Tacoma Safe Start Washington page, we have organized business sectors identified to open by phase. Within each phase, Washington State requirements will be provided as this information is made available; refer to www.coronavirus.wa.gov/ for further information. Guidance from various industry associations is also listed in a separate section. Washington State guidance must be in place before businesses can reopen.
  
  
• CONTINUING: Portal for Washington Businesses www.reboundandrecovery.org features an online portal to connect Washington businesses with ‘Made in Washington’ manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE), plus a toolkit for small businesses to help prepare their physical spaces for reopening and assist in communicating new health and safety protocols with employees and customers.  These user-friendly resources are a one-stop shop.

Employer/Employee Resources

• NEW:  City's 2020/2021 Construction Projects Forecasting
  The City of Tacoma has created a forecasting schedule for planned construction projects in 2020 and 2021. By reviewing the list of projects, firms can prepare for opportunities to form joint ventures and initiate contact with prime contractors and/or other subcontractors.  Click on the link above for a list of upcoming projects.  Contact our Purchasing Department at (253) 502-8468 for information on our procurement process. 
  
  
• NEW:  Major Employers Survey.  The Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County requests employers with 50 or more employees to complete a brief survey at www.edbtacomapierce.org/majoremployers2020/.  This list is the most requested document produced by the EDB and is an essential component of the data site selectors and prospective Pierce County businesses value.  Please participate.

Pierce County Major Employers List 2020 - Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce Co. The Major Employers List is published annually by the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. www.edbtacomapierce.org

Events & Training

• NEW:  On September 10, 2020 from 10 am to 1 pm, attend an MBDA webinar entitled Angel Investing During COVID-19 Pandemic.  Hear directly from angel investors and businesses based in Tacoma.  Receive insight on pitch decks and presentations.  Learn how the process of requesting and obtaining funds works.  To register, apply here.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• CONTINUING:  The Broadway Farmers Market is open with health and safety modifications to allow our community to shop safely and local.  It is located between S. 9th to S. 11th Streets on Broadway Avenue in downtown Tacoma and runs from September through October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thank you for your efforts to take care of your businesses and employees. Please forward this newsletter to others who may find these resources useful. If you have specific questions or information to share, reach out to us directly by email at MakeItTacoma@cityoftacoma.org or by phone at 253-591-2012.

(253) 591-2012 phone; (253) 591-5232 fax Jeff Robinson, Director Elly Walkowiak, Assistant Director  MakeItTacoma@cityoftacoma.org   Community & Economic Development Department 747 Market St., 9th Floor, Tacoma, WA 98402

Contact Us