The City of Renton is making almost $1.4 million in CARES Act relief funds available to small businesses in the city affected by COVID-19.
“Small businesses are vital to our community and we need to help them during this crisis in any way we can,” said Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone. “CARES relief funds are one of the few tools available to make a difference.”
In all, $1,381,000 is available and will be distributed through a small business relief grant program administered by the city’s economic development division.
This federal CARES Act funding comes through the Washington State Department of Commerce. It will provide working capital to small, locally owned businesses, social service agencies and community organizations that meet specific criteria. Businesses with up to five employees (including the owner) can get a maximum of $5,000; from 6-15 employees can get $10,000; and from 16-25 employees, up to $15,000.
To apply, a business must meet the following criteria:
- Locally owned and managed with local decision-making authority.
- Be a current Renton business with a current City of Renton business license and not delinquent in payment of any taxes or fees owed the city as of December 31, 2019.
- Be current on all state licensing and other regulatory requirements.
- Have a physical public location in Renton city limits on or before March 1, 2020.
- In business for at least two years from the date of application.
- No more than 25 full-time employees.
- Demonstrated loss of income due to COVID-19.
Grant funds can be used to cover extra costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples include:
- Payment of costs of business interruption caused by required closures.
- Payment of unemployment insurance costs related to the COVID-19 public health emergency if such costs will not be reimbursed by the federal government.
- Payments for any other COVID-19-related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of business incurred between March 1, 2020, and October 31, 2020.
Applications can be submitted online and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 30, 2020.
Questions about the program can be directed to Jessie Kotarski, Senior Economic Development Specialist for the city, via email or by calling 425-430-7271.
