Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 
I enjoy being able to send updates and information on various county and other governmental activities. I always appreciate your feedback and am truly grateful for your support.
 
Given that I am a candidate for an elective office, I must end proactive public communications beginning May 1 through November 30, as required by state and local laws. I want to ensure that my role as a councilmember is understood as being separate and distinct from my campaign.
 
In the interim, I invite you to visit the Council’s website.  At this link you can see what the Council is working on for the people of Pierce County. Of course, you may always write my office. The rules do not prevent me from responding to correspondence.
 
One final message I’d like to communicate, before I sign off for the next seven months, pertains to highlights from last Tuesday’s council meeting.  The Council passed emergency ordinances, which I co-sponsored, designed to financially help small businesses and food banks.  You can read about the ordinances below.
 
We’re planning for better days!
 
Jim
 
The Pierce County Council took strong steps to support its residents and business owners who are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 situation.

Building on the COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program the Council previously created, councilmembers passed an emergency ordinance that expands the program’s funding by $3 million.

In addition to increasing the funding available, the program eligibility has also been expanded to include employers with up to 20 employees for businesses located in both incorporated and unincorporated Pierce County.

The Pierce County Council created the COVID-19 Emergency Small Business Relief Loan Program on March 24, 2020, with the allocation of $640,000 for small businesses of ten or fewer employees in unincorporated Pierce County. The program, administered by the Pierce County Economic Development Department, was designed to keep businesses located in unincorporated Pierce County in operation and protect jobs threatened by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Economic Development Department started reviewing loan applications on March 26.

To date, more than 198 applications have been received from Pierce County businesses, including 86 companies located in incorporated Pierce County.  With more than 55 loans approved, the initial funding has nearly been expended.

An application and information can be found at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6770/Emergency-Small-Business-Relief-Loan-Pro, by emailing  [email protected]  or calling 253-798-6150.
 
We also tripled the funding for Emergency Food Network to provide food to those in need during these unprecedented times.  The Council provided an additional $500,000 to the $250,000 previously approved in March 2020 for food banks throughout Pierce County.

As always….be vigilant!