NEW HEALTHY WASHINGTON PROGRAM AND

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE

The City of Tacoma is highlighting information on important resources, including funding, to assist you and your employees.  Additional resources may be accessed at https://makeittacoma.com. 

Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery

• NEW: Washington State Economic Recovery Plan.  Beginning January 11, 2021, the State will follow a regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1. Tacoma is located in the Central/Puget Sound region with King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.  To advance from Phase 1 to Phase 2, regions must meet all four metrics as follows:

• Decreasing trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population (decrease  >10%), and
• Decreasing trend in two-week rate of new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100,000 population (decrease >10%), and
• ICU occupancy (total: COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%, and
• COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%.

This new recovery system aims to ease some restrictions while maintaining critical hospital capacity. Further information is available here.

Financial Resources

• NEW: 2021 Federal COVID Relief Package ($900 Billion).  The new 2021 Federal COVID Relief Package is outlined in the matrix here. A total of $325 billion are available to assist small businesses.  Companies will be enabled to apply for a second draw of Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  In addition, there are special set-asides for entertainment venues and support for very small businesses in low-income and underserved communities.
  
  
• On January 14, 2021, the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Utilities, the Minority Business Development Agency, Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County and other cities and economic development service providers are hosting two webinars to provide more detailed information regarding how to apply for funding and access other resources.  Sessions will be held at 8 a.m. and and 1 p.m. PST.  Access the webinar through this link: Get Ready for Second Round of PPP! The agenda and other details will be forthcoming.
  
  
• NEW: City of Tacoma Resurgence Business Loan.  On January 27, 2021, the City of Tacoma will launch its Resurgence Business Loan Program with $1.1 million of U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration funds.  Five-year loans of up to $25,000 with an estimated 2.44% fixed interest rate that will require no principal or interest payments for the first 12 months will be available.  Funds may be used for inventory, equipment, furniture, payroll, utilities, commercial rent or mortgage (only brick and mortar businesses), working capital and other business expenses.  Businesses must meet all of the criteria below:  
  • Brick and mortar or home-based businesses located within the City of Tacoma, and
  • Businesses with no more than 20 full-time equivalent employees, and
  • Businesses that have operated for at least six months in Tacoma (opened during or prior to June 2020).
• We encourage you to gather the required documents now to apply on January 27, 2021. These include 2019 business taxes filed with the IRS, 2020 Profit and Loss Statement (at least until Q3-2020) and 2020 Balance Sheet (at least until Q3-2020). More information is available here.

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.

Events & Training

• NEW: There are several new webinars to participate in regarding new Federal financial resources, Urban Business Support six-hour Business Plan in a Day, SBDC 2021 business planning, financial statements, contracting and other guidance, GSV Startup Bootcamp to bring your ideas to reality and others.  Click here for further information.
  
  
• 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.

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