Pierce County Economic Development updates

Pierce County Request for Qualifications: Professional Services Providers Roster

The Pierce County Council has allocated American Rescue Plan Act funding for grants to assist businesses with their professional services needs such as: bookkeeping, tax advice, graphic design, web design, marketing strategies, and legal advice.

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to develop a list of qualified professional services providers who will be matched with Pierce County businesses. Interested professional services providers should:

"Log In" or Register" their business if the business has not already registered on the Pierce County Solicitation Portal;
Once logged in to the Pierce County Solicitation Portal go to "Bids" and select Bid Number 21-145: Professional Services for Pierce County Businesses - Roster;
Complete and submit your bid.

Your Next Employee Could be a Paid Young Adult Intern at No Cost to Your Business!

Get matched with a young adult intern through the Hire Pierce County: Next Gen program. Paid internships are made possible through Pierce County American Rescue Plan Act funding and are in partnership with WorkForce Central.

Hire Pierce County Virtual Job Fairs

Complete a Job Fair interest form if your company is interested to participate in a virtual job fair. October 15 is the deadline for the next fair, and more fairs are planned to connect employers with job seekers as the economy re-opens.

Support Our Healthcare Heroes!

The incredible job our front-line healthcare workers are doing during this prolonged pandemic is historic and inspiring. October 2021 has been declared Health Care Heroes Month by the Pierce County Council. Visit www.southsoundheroes.org to learn how you can support our hospitals, clinics and front-line workers.

Small Business Flex Fund Loan Program

Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for a low-interest loan of up to $150,000 to finance expansion and growth as well as recover from the pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown through the Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Flex Fund. Interested applicants pre-apply on the Flex Fund’s online portal and, if they qualify, will be matched with a lender.

Washington State BizFair October 12

The all virtual 2021 BizFair is free to attend for current and aspiring small business owners to learn from experts on how to start or grow their business. Sharpen your business skills and gain access to valuable small business resources. Click here to register.

Resources and Funding Opportunities for BIPOC Small Businesses

Now Open: Comcast RISE Investment Fund Grant Program for BIPOC small businesses. Closes October 14.

Now Accepting Applications: Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services for BIPOC small businesses. Closes October 16.

SBA Announces Major Changes to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Changes include:

Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap.
Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period
Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window
Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds.
Simplification of affiliation requirements.

For more information visit sba.gov/eidl. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021.The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center is available to provide assistance seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT by phone at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or email at [email protected].

Paycheck Protection Program: if your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using their online portal. Follow the steps below.

Find out if your lender is participating.
Watch a video about how to use the portal.
Apply for forgiveness.

For additional information, visit the SBA website.

Washington Ready & Reopened

Now that Washington state has reopened under the Washington Ready plan, all industry sectors previously covered by the Roadmap to Recovery or the Safe Start plan (with a few limited exceptions including spectator events) have returned to usual capacity and operations.

This does not include masking. See current guidance for employers and businesses/organizations based on vaccination. See also: L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 and updated Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Employers (Non-Healthcare Settings).

SmallBizHelpWA.com New Online Hub for Small Business Recovery

On the SmallBizHelp.com website you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions regarding recovery resources, information on how to find individual technical assistance, how to find a lender, training opportunities and where to find more detailed program information.
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Back to Work Pierce County Resource Guide

As Pierce County businesses continue to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, we've created a roundup of resources to help your business continue to operate under new guidelines or prepare to re-open.

View the resource guide here.