Thurston Strong Target Zone Small Business Startup Grant
Scoring Criteria & Rating Sheet
Eligibility
The applicant meets the minimum eligibility requirements as established by the published criteria in one or more of the following:
- Alternative 1: Target Zone Resident – Applicants must reside and locate their business within a designated Target Zone.
- Alternative 2: Thurston County resident below area median income (AMI). The prospective applicant may also be eligible if they are a Thurston County resident, whether or not the applicant lives in a designated target zone, if the applicant also has a verifiable annual income at 65% or below the AMI for Thurston County as of 2021. The following table shows AMI for Thurston County by household size:
| 65% AMI by household size (Thurston County) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| $41,080 | $46,930 | $52,780 | $58,630 | $63,375 | $68,055 | $72,735 | $77,415 |
APPLICANT SUBMITS DOCUMENTATION THAT ESTABLISHES ELIGIBILITY: IF NO DOCUMENTATION, APPLICANT REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION.
Thurston County Target Zone Map
Scoring (250 points available)
Mission Alignment
The applicant has a demonstrated mission that is in alignment with the County’s goal to foster and support economic activities that address economic inequity by investing in the areas and people most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
APPLICANT DEMONSTRATES THAT THE PROPOSED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ALIGNS WITH THE STRATEGIES OF SPURRING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE DIVERSITY, ECONOMIC INCLUSION, AND ECONOMiC UPWARD MOBILITY.
Total Points Available = 50 points
Community Impact
The applicant’s business model and proposal has a demonstrated impact upon economic diversity, equity and inclusion by providing wage opportunities, skill development, fosters entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.
APPLICANT PROVIDES A STRONG LOGIC MODEL THAT DEMONSTRATES A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF IMPACT UPON THE COMMUNITY AND/OR UPWARD MOBILITY OPPORTUNITY BY CREATING AN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT WAS NOT ALREADY IN PLACE WITHIN THE REGION.
Total Points Available = 50 points
Business Plan
The applicant’s business plan is well written and demonstrates/proves a high likelihood that after the grant funds are expended, there is a high likelihood of sustainability and profitability. These funds are intended to spur economic development with long range impacts that support employment, training of a workforce, and generate revenues for the community that are spread throughout the local economic eco-system. The business plan has defensible projections that show positive cash flow after three years of operations.
APPLICANT’S BUSINESS MODEL DEMONSTRATES A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS.
Total Points Available = 50 points
UP TO 25 EXTRA POINTS WILL BE AWARDED IF PROPOSAL HAS STRATEGIC LEVERAGED DOLLARS AND OR RESOURCES THAT BUILD CAPACITY AND OR BUDGET OF THE PROJECT.
Workforce Development
The applicant’s business and operations plan demonstrates opportunities for upskilling and training in employment opportunities that may not be available within the region and/or affords new employment opportunities for underrepresented and lower-income individuals.
APPLICANT’S OPERATIONS PLAN HAS A DETAILS WORKFORCE TRAINING COMPONENT THAT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ATTAIN LONG-RANGE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Total Points Available = 30 points
Employment Development
The applicant’s workforce training components demonstrate a pathway to employment opportunities for individuals being involved in the training components of the operations. These employment opportunities provide a pathway towards economic independence.