The City of Burien is making available grant funding to support small businesses as they navigate the continuing economic impacts of the pandemic. Eligible businesses can apply for $5,000 pandemic recovery grants that do not need to be repaid. These grants are made possible by funding provided to the City by the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Small businesses continue to face widespread challenges in recovering from the pandemic. Small business grants will help mitigate potential job losses, business closures, decline in sales tax revenue, and loss of goods and services to the community caused by enduring economic impacts of the pandemic.
“In our recent business survey, small businesses have shared with us that they continue to weather challenges caused by the pandemic such as declines in revenue, workforce shortages, supply chain challenges, and inflationary pressures,” said Chris Craig, City of Burien Economic Development Manager. "These grants will provide economic relief for our vibrant small businesses to help them continue to recover from the pandemic’s impacts.”
The City received $10.8 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and State and Local Federal Relief Funds (SLFRF) to provide direct relief to individuals and businesses recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 12, 2022, the Burien City Council approved an implementation plan for use of ARPA funding to include the creation of the Small Business Economic Recovery Grant Program.
The City has partnered with Ventures Nonprofit to administer the grant program. The online application portal will open at 5 p.m. on June 20, 2023. Technical assistance and language access will be available to all applicants. Applications will be received from small businesses between June 20–July 11, 2023. Grant disbursements will occur in August–September 2023.
Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility and documentation requirements, before applying. More details can be found at: burienwa.gov/RecoveryGrants.