Latest Phase II recovery developments for Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, in brief
City taking applications for grants
Applications for the City of Gig Harbor’s Small Business Stabilization grants will be accepted online beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.
The city will distribute $308,000 in federal CARES Act stimulus funds to as many as 205 businesses who have 10 employees or fewer and can show they have suffered financial loss during the coronavirus emergency. Businesses must have a Gig Harbor business license and be physically located in the city.
Qualifying businesses will receive a $1,500 grant. Deadline for application is 5 p.m. Thursday, June 25.
More information is at: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/722/Gig-Harbor-Small-Business-Stabilization-
More eligible for testing
Pierce County has more resources for COVID-19 testing, and more people are now eligible to be tested, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. People who have been turned away by their health providers because they did not qualify should consult them again, the department said.
Current criteria allow for testing of all patients with new onset of symptoms regardless of age or health status and those who are without symptoms, but with known exposure to COVID-19.
People who have been to large gatherings or demonstrations now qualify for testing, as well, even if they show no symptoms.
Also eligible for testing are people disproportionately affected, specifically those who are Black, Latino, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, or Native American and Alaska Native.
More information is at: https://www.tpchd.org/Home/Components/Blog/Blog/21600/333
Kopachuck State Park re-opens
Kopachuck State Park on Henderson Bay is among state parks re-opening for day use, according to the Washington State Parks Department. Kitsap Memorial State Park near Poulsbo is open for both day use and camping.
Kopachuck is a 109-acre park located about six miles west of Gig Harbor at 10712 56th St. NW.
Cabins, yurts, and other overnight accommodations remain closed until further notice. Group campsites will remain closed as well.
A complete list of state parks open either for day use or camping is at https://parks.state.wa.us/1181/Parks-opening
Transit fares resume
Pierce Transit has reinstate fares for buses and SHUTTLE paratransit vehicles. Regular fares returned Sunday, June 14.
Pierce Transit had discontinued fares for several weeks during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak and asked customers to enter buses via the back doors to create social distancing between operators and customers. Riders can now enter through the front door to pay their fares, but are being asked to exit through the rear door.
Clear health shields have been installed around the bus operator area; the agency has also been marking off some seats and allowing only a limited number of passengers on a bus. Follow-behind buses are running on busy routes whenever possible to pick up extra passengers.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to wear a facial covering whenever they are on the bus or in common areas such as transit centers. Pierce Transit is disinfecting buses regularly throughout the day when they stop at transit centers.
Anthony’s re-opens
Anthony’s at Gig Harbor is among the restaurants re-opening for in-house dining, according to spokesperson Annie Sullivan. The waterfront restaurant has been closed since March due to the coronavirus shutdown. Two other Anthony’s properties, Anthony’s at Point Defiance and the Harbor Lights on Ruston Way, are also re-opening, she said.
Yard waste accepted again
Yard waste will again be accepted during regular business hours at Pierce County transfer stations. This change is part of Pierce County’s transition to Phase 2 of the State’s Safe Start reopening plan. Garbage and recycling continue to be accepted.
Nearby transfer stations are at Purdy, 14515 54th Ave. NW, which is open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. seven days a week, and Key Center, 5900 Key Peninsula Hwy., which is open the same hours Wednesday through Sunday.
Virtual library open
Pierce County Libraries, including those in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula, remain closed, but the county library system has recently opened a virtual library with free online classes, games and activities. These include:
▪ Virtual Story Times at 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/PCLSFamilies
▪ Fantastic Tales on Facebook Live at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Miss Brandi reads aloud for elementary-age kids at lunchtime.
Creative Creations and Games on Zoom. Create masterpieces, do science projects, and play games. Ages 5-10. Registration required at piercecountylibrary.org/calendar. Tuesdays, June 16, 23, and 30 at 2:30 p.m.
A complete schedule of online classes and events is at https://calendar.piercecountylibrary.org/events
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:00 AM.