Loans and Grants Available
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Washington Businesses and Residents Affected by the Bomb Cyclone
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Washington businesses and residents affected by the Bomb Cyclone that occurred Nov. 17-25. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) declared a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Jay Inslee on Dec. 19.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Chelan, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Snohomish and Yakima counties in Washington.
Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster. Within a few days, SBA will announce the opening of a Disaster Loan Outreach Center where SBA disaster representatives will be on hand to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application.
Businesses and homeowners may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, to cover the cost of improvements. Examples of mitigation improvement may include regrading landscaping to improve drainage, installing a French drain, installing a sump pump, insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows and more. To learn more about mitigation options visit sba.gov/mitigation.
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage. Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
SBA’s disaster loan program has been replenished through the American Relief Act of 2025, signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 21, 2024.
The SBA encourages applicants to submit their loan applications promptly. Applications will be prioritized in the order they are received.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for property damage is Feb. 21, 2025. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Sept. 23, 2025.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Air Quality In Overburdened Communities Grants
We're working to improve air quality in Washington communities that are historically overburdened with health, social, and environmental inequities and are highly impacted by criteria air pollution, such as ozone and fine particles. Reducing criteria air pollution will improve people's health.
We're offering a new grant to organizations serving overburdened communities and Tribes participating in our initiative to improve air quality in overburdened communities. This grant is to:
- Engage people in their community in projects that reduce criteria air pollution.
- Implement locally-led projects that reduce criteria air pollution.
- Amount of funding available: $10 million
- Grant award limit: up to $700,000
- Amount of matching funds required: None. Recipients must provide all funding needed to complete the project beyond what is awarded through this grant.
Applications are currently being accepted.
Application period: August 29, 2024 – October 24, 2024
- Grant guidelines
- Application instructions
- Application frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Example terms and conditions
We are committed to helping applicants throughout the application process. There are different ways to ask questions, learn more, and get technical assistance:
- Register for an online information session (Zoom)
- Presentation
- Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 recording
- Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Attend our online office hours (Microsoft Teams)
- Mondays, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., starting Sept. 9, 2024
- Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., starting Sept. 12, 2024
City of Ellensburg Home Electrification & Appliance Rebates (HEAR)
The City of Ellensburg now offers rebate opportunities for residents and small businesses to upgrade to energy efficient appliances through the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program. The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov
Eligible Equipment:
Pre-approval is required. Full cost for approved appliances and installation. Dependent on funding availability.
Appliance:
• Electric heat pump water heater
• Electric air-source or ground source heat pump for space conditioning
• Commercial or residential induction kitchen equipment
• Electric heat pump clothes dryer
Electric service necessary for the installation of high-efficiency electric equipment:
• Electrical service and panel upgrade
• Electric wiring
Who Qualifies?
• Low-income single- and multifamily households with household income of 80% or less of Area Median Income. $79,200 or less
• Moderate-income single- and multifamily households with household income between 80% and 150% of Area Median Income. $79,201-$149,700
• Small businesses with fifty (50) employees or less, or otherwise meet the definition in RCW 39.26.010(22)
Questions?
For questions, call (509) 962-7124, email electric@ellensburgwa.gov, or visit City Hall 2nd Floor Public
Works and Utilities Department (501 N Anderson St., Ellensburg)
Kittitas County Lodging Tax Committee 2024 Microgrants
The Kittitas County Lodging Tax Committee is pleased to announce the availability of micro-grants for 2024. Grants are available for organizations with plans to coordinate and produce an event within Kittitas County. Organizations applying should support projects with the goal of increasing non-resident visitor expenditures coming from 50 miles or further outside the county. Grant values are up to $2,500 and should be for events occurring within Kittitas County in 2024.
Potential uses for these funds include advertising through print, electronic and web advertising, publications, and/or marketing collateral. Funding may also be considered for event operations upon approval of the Kittitas County Lodging Tax Committee. The Micro-Grants are funded through Kittitas County lodging tax funds and are administered through the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. To fill out the Micro-Grant Application go to the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce website, www.kittitascountychamber.com/loans-and-grants. For additional information or to answer questions regarding the application process, please email the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, Matt Anderson at matt@kittitascountychamber.com or call (509) 925-2002.
About the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce: The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is the largest business support and development organization in Kittitas County, and one of the largest in Central Washington. With over 500 members representing every business sector, the Chamber and its committees oversee countywide tourism promotion and economic development initiatives and a range of business support tools including publications, web services, seminars and even leadership development for a new generation.
Heritage Barn Grant
Only historic agricultural structures listed in the Heritage Barn Register, the Washington Heritage Register, or the National Register of Historic Places, are eligible to receive grant funds when they are available. To be eligible for listing in the Heritage Barn Register, barns must be over 50 years old and retain a significant degree of historic integrity. If you have questions about your building’s eligibility or are unsure whether or not your building is listed on the Heritage Barn Register, please contact Michael Houser, State Architectural Historian, at 360-890-2634 or michael.houser@dahp.wa.gov. The deadline for barn owners interested in nominating their barn to the Heritage Barn Register is rolling.
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Grants
As Washington State’s only statewide preservation advocacy organization, the Washington Trust plays a key role in advocating for good preservation policy on both the state and national levels.
There are grants and advocacy opportunities available on their website.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program is a federal stimulus program designed to provide quick access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for companies with 500 or fewer employees to assist with payroll and covered operating costs during short-term business disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.