The grant application period was from September 14 to September 22 at 5:00pm. We are no longer accepting applications.
This grant is for businesses that are for-profit with 20 or less employees (a sole proprietor can be considered an employee) operating in Island County. Applicants must have been in business for at least one year as of March 1, 2020. This funding is not intended to help launch a business, but to support existing businesses who are/were impacted by Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders.
ELIGIBILITY
Key requirements of the Department of Commerce to award these grant funds are that the expenses:
- The expense is connected to the COVID-19 emergency
- The expense is necessary to continue business operation
- Expenses are not to cover tax obligations or other federal, state, county, or city fees (including permitting or licensing) or penalties
- The expense is not funded by any other funder, whether private, State, or Federal
- The business would not be requesting assistance with expenses if they had not been impacted by COVID-19
Businesses that have received MORE than $5000 from the Governor's first round of Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG) funds are not eligible for this grant.
ELIGIBLE & INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Eligible:
- Business Rent (This includes rent, mortgage, lease payments) If this is a home based business a percentage of the mortgage/rent based on sq. footage similar to a tax write off is allowed.
- Business Utility Bills
- Operational Expenses
- Supplies for COVID-19 for Safe Start Reopening. Purchase of PPE or exposure control systems (such as barriers, signage, disinfectant, or ventilation controls) in order to re-open and remain open safely.
Not eligible:
- Invoices dated prior to 3/1/20
- Supplies or inventory
- Operating expenses not directly related to impacts of COVID19
- Payroll, proprietor or employee salary or remuneration, benefits or reimbursement of any type (e.g. pensions, dividends)
- Loss of revenue
- Bills for taxes or legal fees or federal or state expenses
- Capitalized equipment, travel, office equipment or land acquisition and construction cost
- Travel including meals, lodging, transportation
- Alcohol
- Lobbying or political influence
TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE
The Economic Development Council for Island County will be distributing $146,693. Funding for the program is from the state’s Working Washington Small Business program which includes federal Coronavirus Assistance, Recovery and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to help with COVID-19 response and recovery efforts across Washington State.
GRANT AWARDS
Grant awards are in the amount of $10,000 or less. Identifying eligible expenses and amounts on the grant application will determine the appropriate grant award. Depending on the response to this program, not all applicants may receive an award or an applicant may receive less funding than requested.
This program is a reimbursable grant program. If accepted, you will receive funding based on your receipts or invoices that qualify as Allowable Expenses. You do not need to pay back any funding. However, it is taxable income per the U.S. Department of Treasury.
GRANT AWARDS TIMELINE
Please note that this timeline is subject to change.
- First day grant applications can be submitted for consideration is September 14, 2020.
- Closing date for grant applications to be submitted is September 22, 2020 at 5pm.
- EDCIC plans to notify grant awardees by October 15, 2020.
- Grant awardees submission of expenses and proof of payments for reimbursement along with all required contract documentation due on or before October 30, 2020.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for the grant, fill out the online application form. The form can be saved in process by pressing the Save button. A link will be emailed to you, so that you can to return to edit the form. When you are finished, press the Submit button for submission. You must press Submit to complete the application process.
You will need to submit your W9 form with your application. The form is available here: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9
Questions? We are here to assist you - please either email business@edcislandcounty.org or call the EDCIC at 360-678-6889. We will be checking messages often and will return your call.
Technical assistance for small business owners from culturally and historically disadvantaged communities. In partnership with Washington State’s ethnic commissions, Commerce has contracted with community-based organizations to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate help to business owners.