ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CELEBRATE TACOMA

AND NEW FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The City of Tacoma is launching development of the Celebrate Tacoma searchable database in November 2020, which will be accessible from any internet-connected device.  It is designed to encourage support of local businesses that sell directly to consumers and are licensed and located in Tacoma, including micro businesses that sell online.  Retail, restaurant/cafes and service businesses will be featured.

We extend our appreciation to those who have already registered.  We encourage others to do so as we get ready for the launch soon.

To be included in the database, Tacoma retail, restaurants/cafes and service businesses are invited to participate in a user-friendly survey.  Information gathered will help residents and visitors discover the unique array of products and services our businesses offer and encourage local spending.  It will be promoted through MakeItTacoma.com, our e-newsletter, social media and other platforms.  

Sign up now for the fourth quarter shopping season by clicking on the icon below.

Please  share  this  opportunity  with  your  favorite  Tacoma  merchants and service providers.

Together, let's use our community spirit and local market demand to invest in each other by spending locally.  It's about celebrating how special our businesses are as an integral part of Tacoma.  

Celebrate Tacoma!

Note:
Those involved in selling guns, sexual products/services, gambling products restricted by federal law including cannabis, or tobacco products/ electronic cigarettes as well as those outside the City of Tacoma limits will be unable to be featured in the app.  The app is informational only and does not represent a recommendation or endorsement by the City.  

Other Benefits

In addition, we encourage all full service restaurants in Tacoma to access Federal CARES Act funding that Pierce County is providing through the COVID-19 Restaurant Industry Support Ordinance.  The Pierce County Restaurant Rally Program will enable restaurants to offer customers 30% off their meal before tax with the exclusion of alcohol during the Restaurant Rally, which will run from November 8-19, 2020 except Friday and Saturday.  Participating restaurants that apply for and are approved will be compensated for 50% of gross sales, excluding alcohol.  They will receive a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $90,000 from Pierce County.

To be considered for compensation, restauranteurs must apply to Pierce County by October 29, 2020 (extended deadline) and meet the following criteria:

• Be a full service restaurant in Pierce County with a NAICS Code of 722511,
• Have opened prior to March 23, 2020 and be currently open,
• Operate in accordance with the Safe Start Washington reopening plan,
• Provide patrons a 30% discount on dine-in meal purchases, excluding alcohol, during the two-week promotional period (November 8-19, 2020 except Friday and Saturday), 
• Submit weekly documentation of gross sales of dine-in meals, and
• Agree to champion the Pierce County Restaurant Rally Program.

Visit www.piercecountywa.gov/restaurantrally to learn more and apply.

New Financial Resources

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:  Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) recently launched a new commercial utility bill assistance relief program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19.  Funds are derived from the Federal CARES Act the City of Tacoma received as part of Washington State's response to the coronavirus.  Small businesses that employ 50 or less workers, operate from a brick and mortar building located in Tacoma and have an active TPU account could qualify for this program.  Grants of up to $750 can be applied to charges incurred since March 17, 2020.  Applications are due by November 6, 2020.  Further information is available at www.MyTPU.org/SmallBizAssistance.  

New utility bill assistance program for small businesses in the City of Tacoma - Tacoma Public Utilities Supporting our small business community is a top priority at Tacoma Public Utilities. TPU is offering a utility bill assistance relief program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The funds are a component of the City of Tacoma’s Coronavirus Relief Funds from the federal CARES Act that were allocated to cities as part of Washington State’s response to COVID-19. www.mytpu.org

FOR COMMUNITY-BASED NON-PROFITS AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS:  The Washington State Department of Commerce is partnering with Philanthropy Northwest to provide $2 million in grants from the Federal CARES Act to assist community-based non-profits and tribal organizations most impacted by COVID-19.  Grant applications for eligible 501(c)3 organizations are due by November 6, 2020.  Information and application materials are available here.  Free technical assistance regarding the application process is being provided by 20 culturally specific partner organizations including help offered in different languages.  The next online information session will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 7-8 pm PDT.  The Zoom conference line is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89880601482  Zoom meeting ID: 898 8060 1482; Via phone: 1-253-215-8782.

(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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