SNOHOMISH — Time is short for small businesses to try for a piece of $200,000 in city relief grants.
The deadline is Aug. 1. To apply, visit www.snohomishwa.gov/712/Small-Business-Recovery-Grant or contact city economic development manager Wendy Poischbeg at poischbeg@snohomishwa.gov
Eligible businesses must have 10 or fewer full-time employees, including the owner, and can demonstrate that COVID-19 hurt revenue by 25 percent or greater.
Funds may be used for existing operating expenses, including business rent or mortgage, payroll, utilities, inventory, marketing, and improvements necessary to meet social distancing requirements. Documentation of expenses will be required to be submitted if a grant is awarded, and eligible expenses must be incurred within the time period of March 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020. Businesses must have a brick-and-mortar location within city limits, have been in business since May 31, 2019, and have a current Snohomish business license to be eligible.
Priority will be given to businesses that did not receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Small Business Administration (SBA) funding of any kind, and businesses that are still unable to open under the Safe Start Washington phased plan.
The city says most applicants will receive a grant for an amount less than $10,000.
Applications will be reviewed by city staff and the Economic Development Committee, and finalized by the City Council.
The city’s business relief program is being paid for with federal CARES grant funding.
