(By Broch Bender, King County Road Services Division)
Local Services proudly welcomes Tricia Davis as the new director of its Road Services Division.
Tricia comes to us as a 13-year employee at King County, most recently as deputy director for Metro’s Rail Division and, prior to that, as a budget supervisor in King County’s Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PSB).
Local Services Director John Taylor this week announced the appointment of Davis – who’s currently Deputy Director of King County Metro’s Rail Operations Division.
She will begin working with Road Services in November, and her appointment will be effective once the King County Council confirms it later this year.
Small businesses will get another opportunity to apply for a King County Small Business Assistance Grant starting on Friday, Aug. 21. Businesses will have two weeks to apply. These grants are for businesses that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and are located in unincorporated parts of King County (outside of cities). The updated requirements mean more businesses are potentially eligible for grant money than during the first round.
Unincorporated King County’s popular Community Service Area Town Halls are going virtual this year.
As with just about everything in 2020, we had to think creatively about how to deliver these popular, usually in-person events while COVID-19 limits public gatherings. Last summer, hundreds of residents turned out to hear directly from King County leaders and officials, explore government services, and more at these events in their communities.
If you own a small business in unincorporated King County that’s been hurt by COVID-19, and you meet basic eligibility criteria, you can apply for a Small Business Assistance Grant.
Business owners in unincorporated King County can call or sign up online to receive business assistance coaching. This service is provided under the $4 million Small Business Assistance Program, approved by the King County Council in May, to help businesses in the unincorporated areas recover from the impacts of COVID-19-related closures.
Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, listed road maintenance and construction as essential infrastructure activities.
Crews use a vacuum truck to clean debris and standing water from a roadside drain. Cleaning out the drains help prevents them from flooding during rainy weather and removing the solids from catch basins keeps dangerous pollutants out of fish bearing streams, protecting the health of our water systems.Continue reading Road crews are essential
Note: The following is a news release from Public Health – Seattle & King County:
State and local health officials announced new guidance to King County residents aimed at reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. While all residents can take steps now, people with underlying health conditions are urged to pay special attention to recommendations to avoid large gatherings of people. Public Health – Seattle & King County also announced on Wednesday ten additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 in King County residents, including one death. This brings the total of confirmed cases to 31, including nine deaths.
King County announced 45 volunteer-led community events and projects that will be expanded in unincorporated communities with grants of up to $5,000 each.
The community groups successfully competed for a total of $92,500 in grants, which range between $500 and $4,750 each. Community organizations are required to match at least one quarter of the total project costs. The projects must be accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.
Grants were awarded to community organizations throughout King County’s Community Service Areas. This year’s successful applications include:
Snoqualmie Valley Community Network—support for a youth leadership summit.
Skyway Solutions—support for a community festival.
Federal Way Senior Center—funds to buy 100 chairs for use at the center.