Now that the Edmonds City Council has allocated additional funds from the federal CARES Act, the City of Edmonds on Wednesday announced a second round of Business Support Grants of up to $10,000 each. A two-week application period begins Oct. 7, with an application deadline of 5 p.m., Oct.21.
The council on Oct. 6 approved an additional infusion of $430,000 to the city’s business support grant program as part of the Edmonds Cares Fund, for a combined total of up to $1.13 million for businesses in need. The grants are awarded to Edmonds small businesses that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Businesses with 0 to 30 employees (part-time and full-time combined)
- In business in Edmonds at least one year as of Oct. 1, 2020
- Demonstrated year-over-year business/revenue loss of at least 30% in April or May 2020
- Declared intent and expectation to remain in business at least four months after receipt of the grant
The forgivable loans will become grants to awarded establishments after four months if still in business.
Given the city’s expectation that applicants for these grants may likely outstrip the number of grants able to be awarded, there will also be selection criteria employed to identify awardees. Particular consideration will be given to:
- Businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans and other minorities
- Businesses that have received no or lower levels of other grant monies from local, county, state and federal programs
- Businesses that have received relatively greater business/revenue losses
- Geographic distribution across Edmonds
- Businesses in the creative sector within the Edmonds Creative District
Business owners interested in applying for a business support grant may access the online application portal here. Questions may be submitted to Economic Development and Community Services Director Patrick Doherty at patrick.doherty@edmondswa.gov or 425-771-0251.
Are the businesses from the first round that did nor receive grants going to recieve them now? It sounds like it would be fair to continue down the original list and give grants to the original applicants regardless of the number of points. Prior to giving funds to businesses that have already received grants in the first round, which shows favoritism, monies would be more fairly distributed if the original requestors received the funding. Continue down the list in point order.
I had heard one restaurant owner during the most recent Council meeting thank Edmonds for the grant money as s/he used it to purchase new, not necessarily related holiday promotional merchandise. I can think of Edmonds companies that are struggling that need the money for a more basic level to stay in business. Edmonds citizens rely on the services of these individuals, and the City needs to apply the grants more fairly.