Business Grant Application

City of Sumner Business Grant Application

This grant program is administered by the City of Sumner Community Development Department located at 1104 Maple Street, Sumner, WA 98390. If you need assistance filling out this form call (253) 299-5524 or email ryanw@sumnerwa.gov.

Purpose

The purpose and intent of the grant is to assist businesses in occupying vacant tenant spaces in downtown locations within the City of Sumner. This is intended to promote independent businesses and not corporate chain or corporate franchises.

Funds Available

The Business Grants are a single grant available at $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000. The City has a total of $100,000 available for grants and the source of the funds are from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Deadline:   June 1, 2022 (First Round)

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a business or non-profit with one of the following establishment types: in-store retail (ancillary online sales okay); arts and culture establishments such as theaters, museums, and entertainment venues;  fitness facilities, gyms and bowling centers; professional offices; or personal services such as beauty and nail salons, barbershops.
• The business space must be located within the City of Sumner in a commercial zone.
• Be an independent business and not a corporate chain or corporate franchise.
• New business owners must be graduates from the Pierce County Accelerator program.

Use of Funds

Funds available through the Sumner Business Grants are available for the following:

• Capital improvements for existing building spaces for tenant or owner occupied improvements such as construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, finishings, etc.
• Furniture, cabinetry, etc. as needed for operations and display of merchandise
• Permit fees including hook-up charges, etc.
• Purchasing inventory
• Other business related expenses

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed and selected based on business experience and business plan, creditworthiness, and applicants will score higher if they are:

1. BIPOC, Women or Veteran owned business
2. Graduates of the Pierce County Accelerator program
3. New business space is located in the Historic Downtown (see map)

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of the following:

• Sumner Main Street Association member
• Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce
• Pierce County Economic Development Board
• City of Sumner Staff
• City of Sumner ARPA Committee Member

You will be notified within 21 days of the application deadline if you received the grant or not.

Grant Agreement

Grant recipients will be required to sign a Grant Agreement that, among other things, will require the funds to be spent in accordance with the grant guidelines and:

• Grant recipient have at least 10% equity in the business
• If you cease to operate the business or go bankrupt within the first 36 months, you will be required to pay back the grant.
• Agree to annual reporting and auditing for first 2 years