The GGHI Microenterprise Grant Program has Re-Opened!

Grays Harbor County received a Community Development Block Grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. A portion of those funds are being used to support microenterprises and childcare providers. Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) is administrating the Microenterprise Grant Program.

As of Nov. 10th, $10,000 (previously $5,000) in grant money is now available for qualifying microenterprise businesses (5 employees or less, including the owner) impacted by COVID-19 to stabilize your business in our community. Applications received by the initial timeline are being reviewed and are eligible for the increased funds.

**This application has been re-opened to serve more applicants. This round of applications is due January 3, 2022 by 8pm. Applicants will know the status of their application by January 10th.

Funds are available on a limited basis. Submitting this application is not a guarantee of assistance.

Who can receive assistance?

• Business owner must have a Low and Moderate family income (LMI) less than or equal to 80%.
  • Family income thresholds can be found later in this application.
• Business must have a documented loss of income due to COVID-19.
  • Impacted losses must have to have occurred between 3/27/20 through 1/31/2023.
• Business must agree to share financial information
• Business or business owner must be in the program’s service area (Grays Harbor County)
• Business must have a Washington State business license.
• Business must be legal under federal requirements (i.e., not cannabis retails or disbarred by federal government).
• Business is for-profit.
• Business was not able to access other assistance for claimed losses (duplication of benefit).
  • If a business has received aid, they ARE eligible, however they cannot submit claimed losses for expenses in which aid has already been received. 

New in this grant cycle is special assistance with completing the application!

• For assistance with the application please contact beth@enterpriseforequity.org from Enterprise for Equity.

Financial documentation will be required for both the family/owner and the business.Applicants will need to submit the following financial information:

• Business Tax Returns (2019 and 2020)
• Personal Financial Documentation (pay stubs, bank statements, personal tax returns).
• Monthly business expenses from Q2 (April, May, June) of 2021.

Applicants will need to have a DUNS number. This is a free service that does take several weeks to obtain. Applicants should prioritize applying for a DUNS number.

Enterprises that are funded by the grant will be required to complete a 4-part on-demand webinar business assistance series as a condition of the grant. This webinar series can be accessed online at a time and place convenient to the applicant. Distribution of grant funds is contingent on the completion of the webinar series and participation with a business coach before starting the webinar series and upon completion of watching the webinars.

Funds will be distributed approximately 30 days after reported completion of the webinar series and business coach meetings. The Business assistance webinar series and coaching will be provided by Enterprise for Equity. The latest award notices will go out no later than January 10th, 2022. Upon notification of award, participants will be contacted by a Business Coach from Enterprise for Equity. The business coach will provide access to the on-demand webinar series.

For your privacy, information collected will remain confidential, used only to meet federal and state record keeping requirements, and withheld as applicable from disclosure.