City of Newcastle Relief and Recovery Grant Program for Local Small Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations
The COVID 19 pandemic caused severe, intertwined public health and economic crises. In March, 2021, the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to provide state, local, and Tribal governments with the resources needed to respond to the pandemic and its economic effects and to build a stronger, more equitable economy during the recovery. Building on the relatively rapid response and assistance starting in 2020 of the previous CARES Act, ARPA’s SLFRF funds are currently available and intended to be distributed with flexibility and effectiveness to further respond to urgent community needs.
Through the State of Washington, the City of Newcastle is a recipient of local agency relief SLFRF funds, which as of mid-2022 have been fully received. In late 2022, the City finalized policy direction, adopted an Implementation Action Plan (IAP), and finalized a budget and amendments for appropriations. The City’s approved IAP and current 2023 budget includes using a portion of these relief funds for an internally administered program awarding local grants (program totaling $400,000) directly to eligible, impacted small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community.
Grant Funding Purpose
Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community are vital to the sustainability of the local economy and have suffered significant and threatening economic loss due to the pandemic. The purpose of the City’s grant program is to respond to the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID 19 public health emergency. Any grant funds awarded as part of this relief and recovery program for Newcastle’s eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations may only be used to respond to negative economic impacts experienced from March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2024 and caused by the COVID-19 pandemic public health and economic crises.
Application and Deadline
To directly implement the relief and recovery grant program, the City’s Community Development Department prepared an informational/qualifications memorandum and a required, fill-in application form (both available below) and set an application deadline of Monday, March 20, 2023, at 5pm. For review and award, all applications from eligible local small businesses and nonprofits seeking grant funds shall be received by the City prior to this deadline.
Links:
City of Newcastle Relief and Recovery Grant Information Memo
City of Newcastle Grant Application - PDF Format
City of Newcastle Grant Application - Word Format
Department of the Treasury Coronavirus SLFRF Funds Final Rule (PDF)
Department of the Treasury Coronavirus SLFRF Funds Interim Final Rule (PDF)
Department of the Treasury Coronavirus SLFRF Funds FAQ (PDF)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mark Hofman, AICP
Community Development Director
Email
Telephone: 425.386.4108
Applications can be submitted to the email, above, or by mailing/delivering to the following address:
12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200
Newcastle, WA 98056
ATTN: ARPA/SLFRF Grant
For additional ARPA and SLFRF information, see the U.S. Department of Treasury's Website.