Keeping on top of the pandemic: News you need to know, in brief

County offers business loans

The Pierce County Council has allocated $3 million for small business zero-interest loans, in which businesses can receive $1,000 per employee, up to $20,000 total.

In a change important to Gig Harbor, the loans are now available to businesses in incorporated cities, as well as unincorporated Pierce County.

The program serves businesses in Pierce County, both unincorporated and inside of incorporated cities, that have 20 or fewer employees, have been in operation at least one year, and can show at least a 25 percent reduction in revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county program was created March 24 with an allocation of $640,000 and was focused on businesses of 10 or fewer workers in unincorporated Pierce County..

The Economic Development Department started reviewing loan applications on March 26, and more than 198 applications have been received. With more than 55 loans approved, the initial funding had been nearly exhausted.

The council also increased funding for the Emergency Food Network, providing an additional $500,00 to the $250,000 previously approved in March 2020 for food banks in Pierce County.

Business owner can apply online at https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6770/Emergency-Small-Business-Relief-Loan-Pro

For more information, email PCSBRLoan@piercecountywa.gov

Film Festival Canceled

The 2020 Gig Harbor Film Festival, which was to have been held in September, has been canceled, the organization has announced.

“In light of our current global circumstances, and the uncertain social and financial times ahead, we have made the decision to cancel our 2020 Festival, and suspend our other festival events for the remainder of the year,” festival president Christopher Jones wrote on the festival’s website.

The festival, a Gig Harbor tradition since 2007, had been set for Sept. 24-27 in the Galaxy Theatre. In past years, the three-day festival has screened more than 100 films to a total audience of more than 4,000, many from out of the area.

“Though this was a heartbreaking decision for us to face,” Jones wrote, “We know it will enable us to return in 2021 with renewed resources and strength to deliver the quality festival experience you’ve come to love and expect.”

Rides for essential workers

Pierce County Transit is offering a free special service for essential workers who are having trouble getting to their jobs because of cutbacks in bus service.

To arrange a ride, essential workers should call (253) 581-8000, select option 2, and a Pierce Transit customer service representative will work with them to arrange a ride.

The service is available Monday through Friday at normal times previous served by bus.

A rider must be an essential worker going to an essential job, as defined in the governor’s executive order. Trips must be scheduled in advance, no later than 5 p.m. the day before the desired ride.

Callers should have this information ready: Why they are considered an essential worker; the bus route they normally take, and at what time; and desired pickup and dropoff locations. There is no charge for the service.

TCC students get aid

Tacoma Community College (TCC), including its branch campus in Gig Harbor, will receive $3,835,874 from the federal government as a result of the CARES Act, which is disbursing emergency aid to help colleges deal with impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The first half of the funding has arrived this week. The initial payment of almost $2 million will be distributed directly to students, who will be able to apply for funds starting this week. Students can apply for grants of up to $1,000 for spring quarter.

Students will be able to request funds through a simple online form and can use the money to pay for housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other essential needs. Because it is grant-based aid, students will not need to repay the funds.

Students are eligible to apply for funding if they are currently enrolled at TCC, if they are eligible to complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), and if they were not enrolled in all-online classes during winter quarter.

The application from will be posted to TCC’s COVID-19 student info page.

Peninsula COVID-19 totals unchanged

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula area have not changed since last week, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

There remain 50 cases in Gig Harbor and seven in the Key Peninsula, with one recorded death in each place.

As of Monday, there had been 1,500 cases and 52 deaths in Pierce County.

Cards for seniors

Kids bored at home? Nothing to do?

Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence is welcoming cards, letters and other paper gifts such as drawings and homemade artwork for seniors. Items will be sorted and disinfected prior to being delivered to residents.

Messages should be handwritten and in large, easy-to-read print. Keep them positive, kind and heartfelt, and sign your name and age at the bottom.

Kids can mail their masterpieces to Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence, 3025 14th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 9:15 PM.