Applications Open For Coronavirus Relief Small Business Grants

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington is encouraging small businesses to apply for a new batch of grants designed to help those small businesses stay afloat amid economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications are now open for $50 million worth of Working Washington grants, and the state is urging businesses to apply for them before Dec. 11. The program prioritizes small businesses, which had annual revenues of $5 million or less last year, or businesses that have lost significant amounts of money because of pandemic restrictions, like gyms, restaurants and music venues. Money received through the program can only be used to cover expenses or costs incurred due to COVID-19, and which were necessary to keep the business operating.

"Small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities, and what make our neighborhoods unique. Most operate on small margins in the best of times, and today is even more challenging,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown. “We intend to distribute these funds as quickly as possible to the businesses that need it most. "

Working Washington grand funding is provided through the state's remaining CARES Act money, which has to be spent before the end of the year — one of the reasons the state is encouraging businesses to apply before the 11th. To try and encourage as many businesses as possible apply, the state says they've also launched a "10 Days of Biz Grants” campaign on social media to try and get the word out.

Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement Wednesday noting that, while the grants may make a significant impact on businesses that need them most, there's still work to be done to repair Washington's economy.

“We know this pandemic is taking an economic toll," Inslee said. “While this is a significant relief effort, I can’t say that it will help everyone. We continue working together with legislators, state agencies and partners to secure more support to see us through this surge and into the longer term recovery ahead.”

Monday, the governor held a news conference on the state's pandemic response, where he hinted that other business support programs were on their way.

"We are having promising discussions with legislators about those subjects," Inslee said. "We hope to have more to say in the next few days."

Read more: Inslee Talks Vaccine Distribution, Planning For Economic Recovery

Businesses who want to apply for this third round of Working Washington grants can do so through the Washington State Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.wa.gov/bizgrants.

To qualify, businesses must have:

• Their Applicant W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
• A copy of a valid government-issued photo I.D.
• The NAICS code or clear description of their primary business activity. NAICS codes can be found here.

Tribal-member owned businesses will also need their license if their business operates outside tribal jurisdiction. If they operate within the tribal jurisdiction, businesses will need a letter or certification from the tribe recognizing them as a business.