Pierce County Council Signs Off On $50 Million In Pandemic Relief

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — The Pierce County Council has unanimously approved a proposal to expend $50.5 million to support county residents as they struggle with recently re-imposed pandemic restrictions.

“This bill addresses the emergent needs of people and businesses who are hurting in our community, as well as confirms our continued response to the pandemic itself,” said Pierce County Council Chair Derek Young. “It also represents the foundation of our recovery. The Council’s strategic investments now and through future appropriations will support our mid- to long-term needs and rebuild Pierce County stronger than it was before the crisis.”

The council's proposal will give $4 million to double the county's Rollback Relief Grant Program. The Rollback Relief Grant Program supports local businesses who have lost money due to the pandemic with up to $10,000 in funding. It was recently created by the council in an effort to cut short the economic fallout of the county's rollback into Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington plan.

Other spending laid out in the proposal includes:

• $5 million to support new businesses through technical assistance grants with a focus on Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
• $2.4 million for housing and the homelessness crisis.
• $2 million to local food banks.
• $1.5 million for a new summer jobs program.
• $1.5 million for summer youth support programs.

The remaining $37 million has yet to be allocated. The county says they intend to use that money to bolster longer-term solutions.

The money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 trillion economic relief bill that recently made its way through Congress. Pierce County expects to receive around $175 million from ARPA. This week's relief bill is the first time the county has tapped into ARPA funding.

The relief is sure to be welcome as businesses across Pierce County have been struggling with the recently reimposed Phase 2 pandemic restrictions, which limit capacity at many businesses including retailers, bars and restaurants. The county was pushed back into Phase 2 on April 16, but has a shot to re-enter Phase 3 if it passes a Department of Health evaluation Monday.

Unfortunately, the latest data indicates that Pierce County will likely remain in Phase 2 following Monday's review, as it is not on track to meet either of the necessary metrics.