Issaquah Business Grants

Many Issaquah businesses have experienced negative economic impacts of COVID-19. These businesses are employers in our community and provide critical and unique products and services. To address these needs, the City allocated over $550,000 of federal CARES Act funding for two business grants:

Small Business Response Grant (July 2020)
Business Reinvention Grant (Aug. 2020)

In Sept. 2020, the City allocated additional federal CARES Act funding:

$200,000 to fund additional Small Business Response and Business Reinvention Grants from previously submitted applications
$30,000 to fund a new Restaurant Winterization Grant program

The City allocated General Funds to continue to support small businesses:

$500,000 in Nov. 2020 to fund additional Small Business Response Grants from previously submitted applications
$250,000 in Feb. 2021 to fund Small Business Recovery Grants through a new grant application process

Overall, the City of Issaquah allocated $1,530,000 for direct business grants to support Issaquah businesses address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

All grant programs are now closed. Subscribe to our Economic Development E-News to learn about future funding opportunities.

The Business Grant programs in general followed these guidelines and eligibility:

Eligible expenses must be incurred after Mar. 1, 2020 through Oct. 30, Nov. 30, or Dec. 30 2020; or May 31, 2021, depending on the funding source.
Grant recipients are required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the City which will require the filing of a report on how the funds were spent and submission of receipts.
Grant funds may be taxable income; please consult with your financial advisor for guidance. A 1099 will be issued to a grant recipient as required by the IRS no later than Jan. 2021.

Small Business Response Grant

The City allocated $500,000 to help businesses recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19. This program accepted applications from July 1 – July 15, 2020. Applications were received from 220 businesses requesting over $2 million. The City allocated an additional $155,000 in Sept. 2020 and $500,000 in Nov. 2020 to fund previously submitted applications. View the 123 business grant recipients.

Business Recovery & Reinvention Grant

The City allocated $50,000 to fund innovative solutions to address business needs due to business changes necessary as a result of COVID-19. The program accepted applications from Aug. 3-19, 2020. Applications were received from 50 businesses requesting over $400,000. In Sept. 2020, an additional $45,000 was allocated to fund previously submitted applications. View the 11 business grant recipients.

Restaurant Winterization Grant

The City allocated $30,000 to fund restaurants and food service businesses for exterior or interior alterations and equipment to enhance inclement weather dining options during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The program accepted applications from Sept. 22 – Oct. 7, 2020. Applications were received from 29 businesses requesting over $130,000. Priority was given to businesses that did not receive funding from previously awarded City of Issaquah grant programs or the Downtown Streatery winterization investment. View the 8 business grant recipients.

Business Recovery Grant

The Business Recovery Grant allocated $250,000 to home-based businesses and brick and mortar businesses up to 25 employees. Home-based businesses were eligible for up to $2,500 and Brick and Mortar businesses were elgibile for up to $5,000 (less than 10 employees) and up to $7,500 (11-25 employees). The program accepted applications from Feb. 17 – Mar. 8, 2021. Applications were received from 130 businesses requesting $640,000. Businesses that have received grant funding from the City in 2020 are not eligible for this grant program. View the 49 business grant recipients.