New Small Business Grants Available In Unincoprorated King County

KING COUNTY, WA — King County is offering $4.5 million in new financial support for small businesses in unincorporated communities that have faced economic struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief funds were approved by the King County Council.

"Small businesses throughout the country have taken the brunt of COVID-19's effects," said Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember for District 2. "In unincorporated King County, the negative effects are compounded. These grants are an opportunity to help small businesses get back on their feet — a good first step on a long road to economic recovery as a region."

The application window for the new "revive and thrive" program opened Wednesday, and applications are due by Aug. 4. Individual grants for eligible businesses can be as high as $25,000, officials said. The funds can be used to help pay for rent, payroll, utilities, goods and services and other pandemic-related costs.

To qualify for a grant, each business must:

• Be active and licensed in the state of Washington with a physical business address in unincorporated King County
• Have 30 or fewer full-time employees
• Have gross revenues of $3 million or less per year

The latest grant program follows an earlier round that successfully provided more than 570 businesses with grants of up to $5,000 last year, officials said.

Business owners can apply for the latest round of assistance online or get help by phone at 206-477-3800. Information in English, Spanish, Korean, Somali and Vietnamese is posted online.