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

Financial Resources

• NEW:  City of Tacoma Small Business Resiliency Grant Program.  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. To learn more, access these FAQs.  Apply here.
  
  
• NEW:  Washington State Small Business Resiliency Grant Program.  In addition to the City of Tacoma's 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, click here.
  
  
• COMING SOON: The City of Tacoma is in the final stages of creating the Celebrate Tacoma app to encourage support of local businesses that sell directly to consumers and are licensed and located in Tacoma, especially to sustain them and their employees.  It is designed to help residents and visitors discover these unique offerings and encourage local spending.  It will be promoted through MakeItTacoma.com, our e-newsletter, social media and other platforms during the next few months.  Retail, restaurants/cafes and service businesses will be invited to participate by requesting that they complete a survey, which information will be incorporated into the app.  The survey is planned to be distributed in mid-October 2020, and the app to go live in November 2020.
  
  
• CONTINUING:  Spaceworks Tacoma's Creatives Directory.  In order to continue to support our businesses, we are highlighting Tacoma's Creatives--a free business directory for all local creative professionals.  This highly visual and searchable platform connects artists and entrepreneurs with potential clients and customers.  Join this online community to help showcase and grow your business, drive traffic to your website and find collaborators:  http://tacomacreatives.com/.   
  
  
• EXTENDED:  Pierce County CARES:  Commercial Rent and Mortgage Payment Assistance Program.  The Pierce County Council made an additional $7.75 million available for this program.  Funds are still available.  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 in addition to expanded eligibility for other businesses.  Grants will not exceed $8,000 per month(instead of $5,000 per month) of the monthly rent or mortgage obligation, whichever is lesser, up to a maximum of $24,000 total (instead of $15,000 total).  Payments must be incurred between September 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020, as well as those in arrears, and will be made directly to the landlord or lender identified in the application.  For the next round of funding, apply online by October 20, 2020 at https://www.co.pierce.wa.us/6957/Commercial-RentMortgage-Assistance-Progr.  Questions may be forwarded to PCBizRAMA@piercecountywa.gov or (253) 798-6150.  
  
  
• EXTENDED:  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. For the next round of funding, apply for loans online by October 20, 2020 at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6770/Emergency-Small-Business-Relief-Loan-Pro.  Businesses have until November 30, 2020 to complete the loan forgiveness process.
  
  
• EXTENDED:  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 online by October 20, 2020 at www.piercecountywa.gov/6877/Adaptation-Grant-Program
  
  
• 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/mbda-tacoma-launches-cares-act-program/  or contact Malika Godo, CARES Act Project Manager, at mgodo@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 344-6632.
  
  
• 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: 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 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:  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.
  
  
• 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

• CONTINUING:  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.
  
  
• CONTINUING:  Additional $300 Unemployment Benefit To Be Paid to Eligible Claimants.  On September 21, 2020, the Washington State Employment Security Department started processing payments of $300 to eligible claimants for the  Lost Wages Assistance Program.  Payments will be retroactive for all weeks which the claimant was eligible and pending available funds from the federal government.  Eligible claimants will receive the funds as soon as their bank processes the payments.   Refer to the Employment Security Department website for details.

Events & Training

• CONTINUING:  Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub Skills Training. Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub collectively have committed $25 million to offer free skills training for the top 10 jobs in the technology sector.  Become part of the digital economy.  From now through March 2021, access free resources to achieve certification in some of Microsoft’s most marketable skills, coaching and support to build a resume, connections to valuable networks and interview practice.  This training is aimed at high-paying growth positions that do not require a four-year degree.  If you have been impacted by COVID-19 through a layoff or other circumstances, you may be eligible for discounted Microsoft certification for a limited time.  Learn more at aka.ms/MyLearningPath.
  
  
• 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

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