Small Business Grants and an Update on Public Broadband and the Worker Protection Act

COVID relief from state and federal legislation has been flowing into communities and another wave of small business grants are now available. The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and the City of Bainbridge Island are administering a small business grant program with up to $200,000 for eligible small businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits. That means those that qualify could receive between $5,000 and $10,000. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 28^th so please take a look at their website and see if you qualify and apply as soon as possible.

Last time I wrote to you, I promised an update on two of my major bills, the Public Broadband Act and the Worker Protection Act. I’m happy to report back that both passed the House and are now in the Senate: this is good news for expanding broadband access and helping workers enforce their rights.

Finally, we continue to see encouraging news on the coronavirus. Vaccines are rolling out statewide, but we’re in what the Department of Health has characterized as a “race between vaccines and variants”—that is, the new, more infectious variants that other countries have seen. This means our job is simple: wear a mask, keep your distance, and get vaccinated when you can. This really does feel like we’re near the end of all of this, so let’s all keep acting responsibly. We don’t want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory here: keep that mask on, keep your distance, and go get that shot when it’s your turn.

Thank you!

Representative Drew D. Hansen