Small businesses can seek financial relief in Pierce County as the governing body continues efforts to help companies. | Stock Photo
Small businesses can seek financial relief in Pierce County as the governing body continues efforts to help companies. | Stock Photo
Understanding that many are still struggling because of COVID-19, Pierce County Council is looking to help the business community.
The council passed its second round of emergency legislation directed at preparing money for Pierce County business owners' pockets, the county said in a late-November release.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, [the] council has prioritized the nearly $158 million in federal CARES Act monies the county received to go where it is needed most," Council Chairman Doug Richardson in a press release said.
The council waived the county's emergency small business relief loan program's payment requirement through legislative actions, the release said. The program covers pending and future claimants; furthermore, the council also set a Dec. 4 deadline to ensure all applications are processed by Dec. 30.
The council also streamlined the means to forgive loans previously declared under the emergency small business relief loan program.
Additionally, the council added a need-based grant program to support the Main Street and arts and culture-focused businesses to support these businesses so they can receive a grant of up to $10,000.
"We know the latest round of restrictions this week will have devastating effects on our small businesses and we only have until Dec. 30 to expend the money, which is why this latest action is so critical," Richardson said in the release.
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