WA small businesses: Apply for up to $10,000 in emergency funding

On March 7, Gov. Jay Inslee announced small businesses impacted by coronavirus can now apply for the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grants program.

The program has been funded by $5 million from the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, Inslee said. Small businesses can apply to receive up to $10,000 to pay rent, utilities, supplies, inventory, consulting, marketing and training. A small business is defined as under 10 employees (FTE) and the business must have been operating for one full year.

The grants will be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce and local county/regional economic development organizations. Applications will be provided first to the business’ local county/regional economic development organizations. The county/regional economic development organizations will prioritize applications based on the severity of the impact the business is facing, and the organizations will submit the application to the Department of Commerce for review based on that priority level.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and applicants will be accepted or denied on a rolling basis.

Time frame: Because of anticipated volumes, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing and disbursement of grants.

Learn more or start the application process here.