Small Business Reimbursement Grant Program

In an effort to assist small businesses with the costs of business interruption caused by required closures due to COVID-19, the Town of Coupeville is accepting grant applications from small businesses operating in the Town of Coupeville.  This grant program is being funded by federal CARES funds allocated to the Town from the State and from Island County.  The Town of Coupeville is especially grateful to Island County for sharing their state allocation to assist businesses in our County.

Qualifying Information

  • Grant is for businesses with 50 employees or less full-time equivalent
  • Business must operate within the town limits of Coupeville
  • This is a reimbursable grant program, expenses must be paid by business and the Town will reimburse the owner
  • Eligible expenses may have occurred between March 1, 2020 and the date you submit invoices for reimbursement
  • Applicants must have been in business for at least one year as of March 1, 2020
  • Nonprofits who have experienced increased expenses due to responding to COVID are eligible for this grant
  • Awards will be made in the amount of $10,000 or less

Examples of Eligible Expenses – This grant can be used towards operational expenses, including, but not limited to: rent or mortgage payments, utility payments, personal protection equipment, public health signage, materials needed for take-out or delivery operations. 

Examples of Non Eligible Expenses – Examples of expenses not eligible for reimbursement are payroll and lost revenue and other costs that cannot be directly traced to COVID-19 expenses.  This funding is not intended to launch a new business or change a business model but to support existing businesses who are impacted by the “Stay Home-Stay Healthy” order.  Any expenses that have already been reimbursed or paid for through other programs, grants or loans (including insurance claims) are not eligible.

Application Process – Complete the grant application and send via email to Town or Chamber with appropriate address.  Applications can also be mailed to Town or Chamber.  Applications without a list of incurred and/or proposed expenses with estimated or actual costs will be considered incomplete.  Please direct question about the application process to Town or Chamber with appropriate email and phone.  Applications must be received by 5:00 pm on July 9th.  

Total Funds Available – The Town of Coupeville is receiving $59,000 through Island County’s allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds for Local Governments through the CARES Act.  The Town of Coupeville is adding $30,000 from our CARES Act funding from the state for a total of $89,000 grant funding. Depending on the response to this grant program, not all applicants may receive an award or an applicant may receive less funding than requested. 

Application Review and Reimbursement – All applications will be reviewed by a grant selection committee.  Preference will be given to businesses who have not already received COVID-19 related grants or loans but all businesses are eligible to apply.  Applications will be rated on demonstrated need due to shutdown and showing a clear alignment with COVID-19 impact.  The expenses are necessary and are not filling a shortfall in revenue. The grant selection committee will rank the applications and recommend award amounts to the Coupeville Town Council who will approve the final awards. All paid invoices and receipts must be submitted to the Town of Coupeville no later than September 10 but may be submitted earlier. Each grantee will be required to provide a copy of their W-9. Reimbursement will be paid by the Town within four weeks of the receipt and verification of supporting documents. are verified by the Town.    

Important Dates

  • June 26 – application is available on Town website to fill out electronically and submit via email, or US Postal Service to the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce. (Please contact Lynda Eccles for questions about application submission.)
  • July 9 at 5:00 pm – applications due
  • July 30 – grants awarded and recipients notified
  • September 10 – invoices due to Town for reimbursement

This project was supported by a grant awarded by US Department of the Treasury.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of the Treasury.  Grant funds are administered by the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Fund thru the Washing State Department of Commerce.

This project was supported by a grant awarded by US Department of the Treasury.  Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of the Treasury. Grant funds are administered by the Local Government Coronavirus Relief Fund thru the Washington State Department of Commerce