Bellevue Approves More Grants For Small Businesses

BELLEVUE, WA — The Bellevue City Council on Tuesday approved $185,000 in additional support for small businesses that are struggling amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Small businesses can apply for the $5,000 grants until Sept. 17 under the following eligibility guidelines:

• Must employ between 2 and 25 people
• Have annual revenue under $5 million
• Suffered a 20 percent drop in revenue resulting from COVID-19, with expenses not previously covered by other funding sources

Grants can be used to pay for business expenses, personal protective equipment or health and safety upgrades.

"Bellevue's small businesses are a foundational part of our local economy and the vitality of our city," Mayor Lynne Robinson said. "This program gives an additional source of relief that will help these businesses recover and retool as needed to continue operating through the current challenges."

The grants are funded through the federal CARES Act and were made available to Bellevue through the King County Relief Fund. The application period opened on Tuesday.

City officials said the grants will be awarded through a lottery system, due to expected high demand. Priority will be given to businesses that have not previously received relief funding from other sources.

Learn more about the program and how to apply via the city's COVID-19 business resources page.

Find businesses with special pickup hours, takeout and delivery options on the What's Open Eastside map.