APPLY NOW: Round Three of Working Washington Small Business Grants

The third round of the Working Washington Small Business Grants program is now open. Businesses with revenue of $5m or less in 2019 are eligible to apply for up to $20k in emergency funding. Apply here:

http://startup.choosewashingtonstate.com/working-washington-round-3/

The application is time-sensitive, so apply as soon as possible (definitely before the end of next week, according to the DOC). If you need help with the application, call this support number: (360) 725-5003.

Additional details about the grant program (directly from the DOC):

Gov. Jay Inslee announced an additional $70 million for business grants. $50 million of this is for round three of the Working Washington Small Business Grants program. The remainder will go towards funding qualified businesses that applied in earlier rounds of our resiliency grant program.

NOTE: Businesses that applied for the resiliency grant program will not need to take any action.

Who can apply for Round 3 of WWSB?

These grants are prioritized for:

• Small businesses with annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019, AND
• Businesses in the sectors that are most impacted by the recent public health measures or sectors that have experienced significant, cumulative impacts. Examples include full-service restaurants, fitness centers, bowling alleys and music and event venues.
• Certain nonprofits may also be eligible if they have a primary business activity that falls into a similar category as noted above. Example – a nonprofit full-service restaurant or nonprofit music venue.
• If Commerce is able to fund all the eligible applicants from the priority pool, and funds remain, we may be able to provide grants to additional businesses or nonprofits from other sectors or who have annual revenues larger than $5 million.
• The application describes additional criteria.

What does the grant pay for?

• The maximum award grant will be up to $20,000.
• The grant can only cover expenses or costs incurred due to COVID-19 and that were necessary to continue business operations.
• The application has more detail regarding what expenses are covered by this grant.

How to apply:

• The online application portal is available here: http://startup.choosewashingtonstate.com/working-washington-round-3/
• Priority will be given to applications received by Dec. 11, 2020. If Commerce is able to fund all the applicants who submit by that time, we may be able to consider applicants who submit after the 11th.

Here is a checklist of the information you’ll need to have ready:

• Applicant W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number.
• Copy of valid government-issued photo I.D.
• For tribal-member owned businesses: license or certification if business activity is conducted outside the tribal jurisdiction; letter or certification from the tribe recognizing you as a business if business activity is within the tribal jurisdiction.
• Copy of 2019 Tax Return or other confirmation of Business Gross Revenues for 2019.
• For businesses with a physical location, evidence of that location, such as lease, tax statement, utility bill, etc.
• NAICS code or clear description of your primary business activity. A NAICS code is helpful, but not necessary. If you have never used a NAICS code, you can learn more here: What is a NAICS Code? and explore NAICS codes to see which one fits your business.