The City of Kent is committed to its small business community and successful recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. The City Council authorized the use of $1 million of its federal CARES Act funds for Emergency Relief Grants to help businesses recover.
Grant Application Portal Now Open!
Application window is Monday, July 13, 10 a.m. through Sunday August 9, 8 p.m.
Program Details which can be also found here https://www.kentwa.gov/doing-business/c19-business-grants? are
$1,000,000 in grants for eligible businesses
Grant awards are $4,500
To remain impartial, the grant program will be administered by Craft3, a third-party Community Development Finance Institution, which will manage the application intake, evaluation, selection and grant dispersal.
If awarded, grant recipients must submit a W-9.
Grant funds may be taxable income; please consult with your financial advisor for guidance. A 1099 will be issued to grant recipients as required by the IRS no later than January 2021.
To be eligible, businesses must:
Be a for-profit business physically located within the Kent city limits
Be negatively impacted by COVID-19 closures and interruptions
Have no more than 15 full-time employees
Have been in business for at least two (2) years as of June 30, 2020
Have gross annual revenues of $1.5 million or less
Have a current City of Kent Business License and not be delinquent in payment of taxes or fees owned to the City of Kent as of December 31, 2019.
If closed due to government mandates, the business intends to reopen when allowed under Washington’s Safe Start plan
Not be involved with the production, processing, promotion, distribution, or sale (wholesale or retail) of marijuana and cannabinoid products, concentrates, or extracts
Have no owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business who is currently employed by City of Kent or who is an immediate family member (spouse, sibling) of a current City of Kent employee
Have no owner, officer, partner, or principal actor of the business involved with financial mismanagement. This includes the business owner(s) with any conviction(s) for financial crimes within the last three years, with “business owner” defined as managing members or officers
Not currently in bankruptcy
Complies with CARES Act provisions
Application Process
Confirm your eligibility (see eligible businesses above)
Complete the online application by the August 9, 8 p.m. deadline
Applicants will be notified about grant decisions in mid-August, 2020
Grants will be distributed by automatic deposit (ACH) or check payment
Do you need help completing your Grant Application?
FREE Language Assistance and Support Available from our Valued Community Partners – See this page for translated application reference materials and contact information for our multi-lingual partners.
Green River College Small Business Center – Provides assistance with application completion as well as no cost, one-on-one advising to help your business succeed.
Kevin Grossman, Certified Business Advisor
253-520-6263
You may also reach out to these additional sources of support for assistance with with your application:
Kent Chamber of Commerce
253-854-1770
Kent Downtown Partnership
253-813-6976
Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce
206-575-1633
City of Kent
253-856-6419 (Due to staff working remotely, messages on this line will be checked twice daily, with calls returned the next business day.)
