Small Business Workforce Accelerator Grant (RFP #24-01)

Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce • Community Reinvestment Project

Geographic Scope: King County, Washington

Focus Areas:
Support for small businesses through one of three eligible project types:

• Paid Internship (3 months or less, up to 40 hours/week at minimum wage or higher)
• Employee Development/Training (short-term certifications and upskill opportunities)
• New Hire Wages (100% wage subsidy for first 3 months of employment)

Objective: Repair wealth disparities in communities disproportionally harmed by the War on Drugs by helping reduce economic barriers to hiring and training.

Eligibility

• Small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) and nonprofits
• Priority: 51% or more owned/operated by individuals from Black, urban Indian/Tribal, and Latine communities
• Active business license in King County
• Registered with IRS and have account with Washington State Employment Security Department
• Must carry Worker's Compensation Insurance
• Awardees of Small Business Investment Grant are not eligible
• By-and-For organizations already contracted with WDC for CRP/CRF work are not eligible

What They Don't Fund

• Business owner wages or training for business owners (except in group organizational trainings)
• Contractor/1099 positions
• Working capital, land/building acquisition, or relieving existing debt

Key Details

• Award Amount: Up to $6,500 per grant
• Approximate Grants Available: 40 grants (applications accepted until limit reached)
• Reporting Requirements: Timesheets/payroll for New Hire/Internship; receipts for training; success stories/impact reports; WorkSource WA account creation

Contact

Address: 450 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98104

Application Process

Timeline:

• Opportunity Announced: December 20, 2024
• Application Assistance Calls: January 8, 2025 & January 20, 2025
• Last Day to Submit Questions: January 22, 2025
• Application Submission Opens: January 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM PST
• Application Submission Closes: After 40 applications received
• Anticipated Award Notification: March 3, 2025
• All Applicants Notified: March 7, 2025
• Anticipated Fund Disbursement: End of March 2025
• Funds to be spent by: Mid-June 2025
• Final reporting due: On or before June 30, 2025

Required Information in Application

1. Contact information
2. Business information
3. Project details:
   • Paid Internship: Position description, wage, training plan
   • Employee Development/Training: Training type, cost
   • New Hire Wages: Position description, wage

Required Documentation

• Valid business license
• Proof of IRS registration
• Proof of Worker's Compensation Insurance
• Payroll/timesheet documentation (for New Hire and Internship projects)
• Training receipts and completion documentation (for Employee Development/Training)
• WorkSource WA account creation (for hired/intern employees)

Application Assistance

• Virtual application assistance calls offered on specific dates
• Support available from WDC business team
• Connection to resource organizations such as Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) and Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Contact: athornton-west@seakingwdc.org for application support

Key Employer Responsibilities (if awarded)

• Maintain safe and healthy working conditions
• Not displace current employees or reduce workforce
• Provide training, supervision, oversight, and support
• Maintain adequate time and attendance records
• Pay wages by check or direct deposit
• Follow all Federal and State employment laws
• Retain employee after wage subsidy period (for New Hire projects)
• Agree not to use funds for business owner wages

Notes

• Applicants can apply for one project initially; welcome to apply again after completion if opportunity reopens
• Candidates do not need to be pre-approved before hire
• Interns/New Hires should not start until award notification and contract signing
• WDC can assist with finding qualified candidates
• Contractors/1099 employees not eligible except in group Employee Development/Training