Restaurant Grant Application

City of Sumner Restaurant 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 restaurants and eating and drinking establishments to move to Sumner and occupy vacant tenant spaces in downtown locations within the City of Sumner. Restaurants typically bring new business to a downtown and can create a destination experience furthering economic activity in a downtown. This grant is intended to promote independent businesses and not corporate chain or corporate franchises.

Funds Available

 The city will be awarding two (2) Restaurant Grants for a maximum of $60,000. The City has a total of $120,000 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: restaurant, eating or drinking establishment, coffee shops, winebars, bakeries, that are primarily dine-in establishments with ancillary food delivery/pick-up.
• 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

The Sumner Restaurant Grants can be used for the following:

• Capital improvements for existing building spaces for tenant or owner occupied improvements such as construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, finishings, etc.
• Restaurant cooking equipment such as ranges, hoods, ovens, sinks, etc.
• Furniture, cabinetry, tables, etc. as needed for operations and customers
• Permit fees including hook-up charges, etc.

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 (restaurant owner/manager)
• 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 and the building owner 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 (see above) and agree to:

1. Annual reporting or auditing for first 5 years
2. Required to payback the grant if the business closes in less than 36 months. 
3. That the City retains the ability to repossess any equipment purchased by the grant or to lien the property to recover costs.