READY FOR BUSINESS FUND TO DISTRIBUTE $2,500 CASH GRANTS TO 66 SMALL BUSINESSES IN WASHINGTON | News Direct

READY FOR BUSINESS FUND TO DISTRIBUTE $2,500 CASH GRANTS TO 66 SMALL BUSINESSES IN WASHINGTON LGBTQ-, BIPOC-, Women-Owned and Small Businesses throughout the State will Receive Financial Assistance from GSBA and Comcast Washington Relief Effort

Comcast Washington
News release by Comcast Washington

facebook icon linkedin icon twitter icon pinterest icon email icon SEATTLE, WA | May 04, 2021 08:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time

The Ready for Business Fund – a relief program launched by GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce, and Comcast Washington – will begin distributing $2,500 cash grants this week to 66 small businesses throughout the state. Originally launched in 2020, the Ready for Business Fund was expanded to support small businesses statewide this year with a $100,000 investment from Comcast and GSBA continuing its role as the fund and program manager.

The Ready for Business Fund was created to support small businesses in Washington, especially those owned by LGBTQ people, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and women, who are at greater risk in today’s uncertain economy. In addition to supporting small businesses that are owned by diverse entrepreneurs, this year’s statewide expansion also focused on providing support for qualifying small businesses located in rural areas of Washington who have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and lack of proximity to resources.

Grants from the fund were made possible by securing additional contributions from companies and individuals. Including Comcast’s investment, GSBA has received $200,000 in contributions from T-Mobile, BECU, DoorDash, 1st Security Bank, Harborstone Credit Union, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Foundation, Symetra, Verity Credit Union and other generous community members. These funds will now support small business owners across all industries, including local restaurants, bookstores, bistros, shops and stores, which are an important part of the social fabric in our communities.

“Over half of Washington’s workforce is employed by small businesses, and we know that especially within marginalized communities, these businesses serve as important gathering spaces,” said Ilona Lohrey, GSBA VP of Membership & Programs. “For example, Washington’s gay bars have served as safe-havens for the LGBTQ community for decades. Immigrant-owned businesses often serve as little slices of their own countries of origin, where employees and patrons often speak their native languages, can come together in community, and share histories. These small businesses are not only a critical part of Washington’s economy, but essential components of the American experience. When these businesses are forced to close because of this pandemic, it hurts all of us. That’s why the Ready for Business Fund exists.”

GSBA assembled a selection committee consisting of diverse community and business leaders to evaluate the applications received. Notifications to grant applicants about the status of their application have begun and awards will be delivered beginning this week. All grant recipients will also receive wrap-around services, including GSBA membership and consulting.

“GSBA is a fantastic partner that is absolutely dedicated to supporting our small business communities and neighborhoods throughout Washington and it was an honor to work with their team again this year to expand the fund to applicants throughout the state,” said Diem Ly, Community Impact Director, Comcast Washington. “Our participation in the Ready for Business Fund compliments additional efforts, like Comcast RISE, which seek to strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by the economic downturn.”

Ready for Business Fund grant recipients include:

Business Name

Type of Business

Location

A Clear View

Window Cleaning

Spokane

A Step Ahead Bilingual Learning Center

Childcare

Bellingham

Abundant Living Senior Services

Adultcare

Marysville

Adra Boo, LLC

Arts & Entertainment

Seattle

Anywhere But Here Travel, inc.

Travel

Lynnwood

Ashley’s Pub

Restaurant

Bremerton

Avant Gardenz

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Port Angeles

Bluebird Coffee

Coffee Shop

Lynnwood

Blue Cactus Press

Publishing

Tacoma

Booltina II

Retail

Lynnwood

Café Argento

Restaurant

Seattle

Chubby Bunny Farm

Agriculture

Arlington

Community Acupuncture Project

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Seattle

Compass Acupuncture Tacoma

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Tacoma

Conscious Eatery

Restaurant

Seattle

Converge Media

Publishing

Seattle

Distant Worlds Coffeehouse

Restaurant

Seattle

Eli’s House Cleaning

Cleaning Services

Walla Walla

Fabulous Nails Spa

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Tacoma

Family 1st Consulting Services, PLLC

Counseling

Tacoma

Family Home Childcare

Childcare

Seattle

Funtastic

Restaurant

Seattle

Guerrilla Films, LLC

Arts & Entertainment

Seattle

Hunniwater, LLC

Retail

Edmonds

Inclusive Data, LLC

Consulting Services

Seattle

Intersections Festival

Arts & Entertainment

Burien

Inter-Tribal Beauty

Health, Wellness & Beauty

Spokane

Intrigue Chocolate Co.

Retail

Seattle

ISATOURPROPERTIES

Realty

Lynnwood

JAMIL

Retail

Seattle

Kalkaal Childcare

Childcare

Burien

Keysight Consulting

Consulting Services

Everett

Kiddie Cove Daycare

Childcare

Everett

King’s Books

Retail

Tacoma

Latin Market

Restaurant

Renton

Lia’s Garden

Agriculture

Snohomish

Lil Red’s Takeout & Catering

Restaurant

Seattle

Lucky Teriyaki

Restaurant

Seattle

Mac Fashion House

Retail

Seattle

MBG Unlimited

Automotive

Seattle

MEND Seattle

Counseling Services

Seattle

My Sweet Little Cakes

Restaurant

Seattle

Off the Rez

Restaurant

Seattle

Olympic Cleaning & Beyond

Cleaning Services

Olalla

Open Arms

Consulting Services

Seattle

Pink Moon Farm

Agriculture

Eatonville

PointOneNorth Consulting, LLC

Consulting Services

Burien

Ravenox

Retail

Mount Vernon

Ritual

Retail

Seattle

Roda Food, LLC

Restaurant

Snohomish

Satisfied Palate

Restaurant

Seattle

Savi PLLC, DBA NW Relationships

Health, Beauty & Wellness

Tacoma

Seattle Spartans

Arts & Entertainment

Everett

Shear We Go, LLC

Health, Beauty & Wellness

Bellevue

Skeleton Coast

Arts & Entertainment

Seattle

Spotlight Dance Center

Dance Studio

Renton

Sundus Family Childcare

Childcare

Seattle

Sunny Days Childcare

Childcare

Kent

Sure to Rise Bakery

Restaurant

Cashmere

Sweet Krazy Corn

Agriculture

Seattle

Taste of Peru

Restaurant

Gig Harbor

The Barber Lounge

Health, Beauty & Wellness

Fife

The Confectional, LLC

Restaurant

Seattle

West Coast Prep Basketball Academy

Education

Kent

Yang Farm

Agriculture

Mountlake Terrace

YAY NOVELTY, LLC

Manufacturing

Sedro-Woolley

More information is available at theGSBA.org/ready-for-business.

About GSBA

Established in 1981, GSBA is Washington State's LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce and is the largest of its kind in North America. The chamber represents over 1,400 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. GSBA proudly serves as a connector across the region, bringing communities together through business while advocating for civil rights and small business. GSBA also promotes LGBTQ tourism through Travel Out Seattle, advocates for small businesses in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood through the Capitol Hill Business Alliance (CHBA) and invests in the next generation of LGBTQ and allied leaders through the GSBA Scholarship & Education Fund.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Contact Details

Comcast

Andy Colley

+1 425-248-5438

Andy_Colley@Comcast.com

project media

Tags

GSBAGreater Seattle Business AssociationComcastComcast WashingtonReady for Business