KEDA partners with county for small business grant program

Kitsap County has committed $880,000 for small business assistance using federal CARES funding

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance recently announced a partnership with the county to administer the Kitsap CARES Small Business Rental Relief Grant Program, which was made possible by federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds.

According to a press release, Kitsap County has committed $880,000 for small business assistance using federal CARES funding, $750,000 of which will be awarded to businesses in unincorporated Kitsap County and $130,000 toward incorporated Kitsap County cities. Funds must be fully distributed by Oct. 31 and the grants are meant to reimburse business-related commercial rent or lease expenses paid between March 1 and the date of the grant application.

“The effects of COVID-19 have severely impacted our small business community,” Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe said. “County Commissioners want to help our businesses begin their recovery and this program is one small part of that commitment.”

Each business may receive up to $5,000 based on eligible COVID-19 impacts, the release states. Program details, eligibility requirements and the application timeline and process are available at www.KitsapCaresSmallBiz.com.

Applications will be accepted through an online application that will go live at noon on each of the three predetermined dates (July 21, Aug. 4, Aug. 11). Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible businesses. Phases 1 and 2 apply to businesses physically located in unincorporated Kitsap County and Phase 3 applies to businesses physically located in the county’s incorporated cities.

All applications will be reviewed for consistency with eligibility criteria and verified for application requirements, according to the release. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Phase 1: July 21 for unincorporated Kitsap County ($375,000 – 75 awards)
Phase 2: August 4 for unincorporated Kitsap County ($375,000 – 75 awards)
Phase 3: August 11 for incorporated cities ($130,000 – 26 awards)

For more information, email info@kitsapeda.org with Kitsap CARES in the subject line or visit www.kitsapeda.org.

Editor’s Note: Terry Ward, vice president of Sound Publishing, is a member of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance’s board of directors.