Grant funding is available to support small businesses as they navigate the continuing economic impacts of the pandemic. Eligible businesses can apply for $5,000 pandemic recovery grants which do not need to be repaid. These grants are made possible by funding provided to the City by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Small businesses continue to face widespread challenges in recovering from the pandemic. Revenue declines, increased costs, workforce shortages, supply chain challenges, lack of access to capital and inflationary pressures continue to put our vibrant small business community at risk. Small business grants will help mitigate potential job losses, business closures, decline in sales tax revenue, and loss of goods and services to the community caused by enduring economic impacts of the pandemic.
There are funds for up to 35 businesses to receive a $5,000 grant for Round 2 of the Small Business Economic Recovery Grants Program. The application portal for small businesses to apply will open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility, required documentation, and additional information below before applying.
Eligibility
Businesses must meet all of the following criteria:
- Have ten or fewer full-time employees (FTE) on the business payroll at time of grant application
- Have been in business for at least the last 24 months within the Burien city limits
- Have experienced a decrease of 25% or more in gross revenue from one quarter to a subsequent quarter or a decrease of 25% or more in gross revenue from one year to a subsequent year during the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Be a “brick and mortar” business with a physical location in Burien or, be a “home-based” childcare business
- Have an active Burien business license with a Burien business address
- Be current on payment of taxes and fees owed to the City of Burien
- Be actively open for business
- Be engaged in a type of business eligible to receive funding by the U.S. Small Business Administration
Applicants are ineligible if they:
- Are a franchise
- Are a national chain
- Are a nonprofit
- Are a home-based business other than a home-based childcare business (see above)
- Did not receive a $5,000 Economic Recovery Grant in 2023
- Are a business owned or partially owned by an individual or immediate family member who is:
- a staff member, manager, or director of Ventures Nonprofit,
- a City of Burien councilmember, or
- a City of Burien employee
Required Documentation
Applicants must provide the following information in their application:
- Completed grant application and attestation
- Completed grant agreement
- In order to show a 25% decline in gross revenue over any three-month period since the start of the pandemic, one of the following:
- Tax returns for 2019 and 2020 or 2021 and 2022, or
- Three consecutive profit and loss statements or bank statements between 2020–2022
- Current business license
- A copy of a state-issued ID
- Completed W-9 form
- Completed direct deposit information
Timeline
Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded during the following time period:
- October 24, 2023: Grant application portal opens
- October 24–November 14, 2023: Grant applications will be received
- December 2023: Grant funds will begin to be dispersed
Assistance
For questions or assistance on completing the application, please contact Jarrett Arakaki of Ventures via email at [email protected].