TACOMA – The Pierce County Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-69s on Tuesday, Dec. 5, establishing a Small Business Strengthening and Security Grant Program to increase the viability and security of small businesses in unincorporated Pierce County and its small cities and or towns with a population less than 8,000.

Under the program, eligible small businesses in Pierce County can apply for the reimbursement of 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum $10,000 grant reimbursement. Eligible expenses include any capital purchase, such as purchasing equipment, appliances, furniture or the cost of facility improvements or expansion. In response to recent business concerns about security, the program also specifically highlights potential capital expenditures related to improving security, such as lighting, alarms, cameras, secure entrance doors, bollards, fencing, or other devices.

This is a matching grant program, meaning the cost must be matched by an equal amount from the business. For example, if a restaurant needs to purchase a new freezer for a total cost of $16,000, they could apply to the County for a grant of $8,000. An eligible business must operate from a commercial property in unincorporated Pierce County or in a small city or town with a population less than 8,000, have ongoing operations for at least two years, and not have more than 20 full-time employees. The cities and towns meeting the population criteria are Buckley, Carbonado, Eatonville, Fircrest, Milton, Pacific, Roy, Ruston, South Prairie, Steilacoom, and Wilkeson.

“This will have a real and lasting impact for our small businesses,” said Councilmember Dave Morell (District 1), whose district includes many small cities and towns eligible for the program. “This grant is funded with the American Rescue Plan Act. You often hear people say ARPA money is meant to help communities ‘come out of the pandemic better than when we went into it’. This investment of ARPA money in our small businesses helps us in doing just that.”

The program will be administered by Pierce County’s Economic Development Department. The Council will receive periodic reports on the program. The ordinance now heads to the Office of the Executive for signature. “I’m so excited that we’re able to offer this to our small businesses, so often owned by our neighbors and friends,” said Council member Robyn Denson (District 7). “Small businesses serve as the backbone of our local economy. By supporting our small businesses, we support the success of our communities.

CONTACT: Bryan Dominique, Communications Manager, at bryan.dominique@piercecountywa.gov or (253) 392-4221

By Anne Howard and Allyson Turk

Community Engagement at Tacoma Arts Live means a lot of different things - programming and partnerships as diverse as the neighborhoods we serve. When Tacoma Arts Live moved to the Hilltop neighborhood, we embarked on a journey of listening, discussing and collaborating with community leaders like Brendan Nelson to determine effective ways for our organization to serve this historically Black and immigrant community, What arose was a pressing need to nurture and suport emergent small businesses and nonprofits who were struggling in a rapidly gentrifying climate.

In seeking to activate Tacoma Armory through innovative programs that align with our values, we launched Accelerating Creative Enterprise (ACE), a small business incubator for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)-owned and women-owned enterprises. With over 40 years of experience working with creative microentrepreneurs, a track record in harnessing the arts to revitalize distressed areas, and seed money from the Washington State Department of Commerce, we’re excited to share that since February ACE has supported over 40 Partners in their small business and creative pursuits.

What does ACE do?

ACE supports BIPOC-owned and Women-owned enterprises through:

· Professional event production support

· Expanding the possibilities with co-working offices, rehearsal spaces, and art-making spaces

· Accelerating Ideas through Professional Development

· Investing in Event Sponsorship

Where is ACE?

ACE Offices, Rehearsal Rooms, and Art-Making Spaces at Tacoma Armory include:

· Wi-Fi, Printing Station, Lockers

· The Fishbowl

· 4 Co-working rooms with adjustable desks and chairs

· 2 Conference Rooms: the Riley and the Alberta

· Multipurpose room, the Nettie, for conference or rehearsal

· Art Room – 2 drafting tables, 2 worktables, light boxes

· OWL cameras, flat screen TVs, multiple hook ups

· A kitchen and dining area and a small kitchenette

Are you an artist or creative entrepreneur?

Apply to be an ACE Partner today!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply here à https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AceIncubator

Have questions, want to learn more, or just want to chat about details?

ace@tacomaartslive.org

Thankfully for our furry friends, it looks like the worry over the mystery dog illnesses may have been overblown. Here are a few articles that tell us why…

NPR: Vets say fear of illness is overblown

Fast Company: What to know about mystery illness

Did you know that Wednesday is all you can eat spaghetti and meatballs for $15.99 a person and Thursday is all you can eat pizza for $15.99 a person at Chi-Town Pizza?

Click Here to Learn More!

"Every day in Pierce County, thousands of people sleep in cars, shelters or on the street. They are someone's mom, dad, child or friend. Do you ever wonder how they lost everything and became homeless? We answer this question and more every year through the PIT Count. Save the date for the 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count! The 2024 PIT Count will take place January 25-26, 2024. CHECK THIS WEBSITE for updates about when to register, how you can help, and what donations are needed."

Maybe you remember hearing about "The Central Park 5" back in 1989? A few years ago, there was a miniseries "When They See Us" outlining how 5 black teenage boys — now known as "The Exonerated 5" — had been snatched up, accused, convicted and imprisoned for a ghastly, highly publicized rape, of which they were only exonerated after serving grueling prison sentences.

On December 14 and 15, hear the story those boys lived through and how they’ve prevailed from one of the boys himself: Dr. Yusef Salaam. Melannie Denise Cunningham met him recently and invited him to Tacoma… so he’s coming to speak about his experience… and the experiences of so many other black men and boys who become ensnared in the gears at all levels of our criminal legal system.

Dr. Salaam’s visit begins with a free community event at Evergreen State College-Tacoma on Thursday, December 14th and concludes with a lunch and learn on December 15th at Pacific Lutheran University. Register for both events below.

In the meantime, those interested in learning more about the case before meeting Dr. Salaam in real life might want to view the Netflix miniseries “When They See Us.”

REGISTER FOR BOTH EVENTS HERE

DON’T MISS:

* LIFE-SIZE, SKY-SCRAPING DINOSAURS

* ONE-OF-A-KIND WALKING DINOSAUR RIDES

* LIFE-SIZE T.REX SKULL

* INCREDIBLE FOSSILS, including REAL T.rex teeth and Triceratops horn

Come join us from December 15 - 17th at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO FIND TICKET PRICES AND PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE:

https://jurassicquest.shop/puyallup-wa

Purchasing tickets online before the event guarantees entry in case of sell out 🚨

We are Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!

Jurassic Quest is the ONLY place where your family can experience:

* The largest and most realistic Dinosaur Exhibit on tour, featuring true-to-detail (and size!) dinosaurs, including a 60 foot long, sky-scraping Spinosaurus, our 80 foot long Apatosaurus, and our gigantic LIFESIZE T.rex.

* Our one-of-a-kind interactive Baby Dinosaur Show and Raptor Training Experience

* Opportunities to meet and greet loveable baby Dinosaurs like Tyson the T.rex, Cammie the Camarasaurus, and Trixie the Triceratops - plus their Dino Trainers

* Walking Dinosaur rides & Stationary Dinosaur rides, including some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America!

* Dino Bounce Houses & Bungee Pull

* Ready, Set, Quest! Take on The Quest at Jurassic Quest, an interactive challenge that leads adventurers through 10 clues within the experience! Finish all the activities & earn a reward!

* Fossil digs, Jurassic Jeeps, Crafts & Coloring Station, Fossil Experience, “Tricera-tots” (a soft play space for our littlest dino lovers), and MORE!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE JURASSIC QUEST EXPERIENCE & WHAT OUR FANS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT US:

https://www.jurassicquest.com/about-us

TIPS:

1. Strollers and wagons are welcome.

2. Be sure to bring your camera 📷. There will be a TON of great moments to capture!

3. Bring socks for the kids! Socks are required for the inflatables.

4. Jurassic Quest is a go-at-your-own-pace, self-guided experience. The average length of stay to enjoy all Jurassic Quest has to offer is 1 to 2 hours.

5. Have a dinosaur question before your Quest, after, or even DURING? We've got #facts. Park Ranger Marty has the DINO 411! Just text your question to 844-DINO-411 or 844-346-6411.

There is an ever growing mapped list of residential holiday light displays to drive by thanks to a local Facebook group.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIVE MAP

Do you still have holiday shopping to do? Do you like to support local nonprofits? You can fill 2 needs with 1 deed by coming to the Winter Social Fundraiser! They’ll have yummy appetizers, fun auction items, and a chance to mingle with Food is Free board members and volunteers. For more info https://www.facebook.com/foodisfreetacoma

Winter Social Fundraiser

December 16th 3-5 PM

Peace Lutheran Church

2106 S Cushman Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98405

Online Ordering https://pugetsoundpizza.appfront.ai/ is now LIVE for the NEW Lakewood location! They are one step closer, still waiting for final permits to fully open, but until then the PSP trailer will be out front serving up pies with a limited menu Monday - Thursday 12-7, Friday- Saturday 12-8

LAKEWOOD PSP pugetsoundpizza.com

12924 Pacific Hwy SW

Lakewood, WA 98499

Find the perfect last minute gift with $20 toward a show at a participating Live Nation® venue. Just use your Concert Cash® Code at checkout!

Your $20 Cash Code is: 47ECRQ35 at www.livenation.com