OLYMPIA, Wash. — To support small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Commerce will launch the fourth round of Working Washington Grants.
This round of grants is aimed toward for-profit, small businesses that were forced to close at some point during the pandemic. Businesses that were required to close, lost revenue due to the closure and had added expenses for safety operations are priorities for funding.
In a press release, Commerce said the maximum grant award will be $25,000 and the awards will vary. They will determine the amount based on previous Working Washington awards, size of the business and lost revenue between 2019 and 2020. They will distribute funds equally across the state, focusing on historically underserved and disadvantaged populations. To ensure the equitable distribution, Commerce will consider businesses in rural or low-income communities or ones that are owned by women, veterans, minorities or members of the LGBTQ+.
The applications for the grants open on March 29th and will close at 5 p.m. on April 9. There will be technical assistance and multiple languages available during the application process.
The grants come from the early action bill. In addition to the $240 million for the current round of grants, the bill includes additional funding for rent assistance and other COVID-19 efforts.
To access the help center, or learn more information about grants, business owners can visit the Washington State Department of Commerce grant website. The help center can also be reached by phone or by email: (855) 602-2722 or commercegrants@submittable.com.
