Working Washington small business emergency grant program – Round 2

September 2, 2020 6:00 am
Metrocreative stock image
Metrocreative stock image

Submitted by the San Juan Island Economic Development Council

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a second Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses which qualify for the grant program and are located within San Juan County can go to the San Juan County Economic Development Council webpage at https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2 for program details and application portal.

The San Juan County EDC will prioritize applications based on the severity of the impact the business is facing due to COVID-19, including being forced to close by the government-mandated closures, social distancing measures, or illness. Awards will be approved on a case-by-case basis and are dependent on the availability of funds, which are extremely limited. The objective for the grant is to support businesses through the crisis. The deadline for applications is Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. As the funds are from a federal source, application requirements are stringent; please see https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2 for details.

Eligibility: Applicants must be located within San Juan County and have been in business for at least one year with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees as of Feb. 29. Grantees who have already received funding from the first Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant or the Valmark Back-to-Business Grant programs are not eligible. Nonprofits are not eligible for this program.

Application Process: Applications will be reviewed at the close of the application window. Approved grant expenditures: Grant funds, with a maximum award of $10,000, can be used for operational expenses including rent and utility bills, Personal Protective Equipment and exposure controls, and Covid-19 asymptomatic testing for employees. Applicants must submit documentation of expenses they seek to reimburse in their application. Payroll cannot be reimbursed via WWSBEG. Please see full program details at https://www.sanjuansedc.org/WWSBEG2 for program details and application portal.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council EDC strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.