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Road Services Division, Maintenance Section collects nearly two tons of donations in inaugural food drive

Members of each Road Services Division Maintenance Section teams gather for a photo to celebrate their donations during King County’s inaugural Fall 2022 Food Drive on October 27, 2022 that collected 3790 pounds of food to donate to Food Lifeline and Regional Animal Services of King County. Photo David Clark

King County Road Services Division Maintenance Section is known for some heavy lifting. Last month they added thousands of pounds of donated food to the list of hefty things they haul in Unincorporated King County.

This heartfelt act of teamwork and compassion benefits local nonprofit Food Lifeline whose mission is to end hunger in Western Washington. Pet food was also collected, benefitting Regional Animal Services of King County.

Update: King County Behavioral Health Rural Needs Survey

Thank you! Over 700 people completed the survey between March and April 2021!

King County is acting on your input to develop new programs to increase access to mental health and substance use services in rural communities. We will convene community sessions this fall to share what we learned. New services and programs will launch in 2022. Stay tuned to the Department of Local Services newsletter for updates.

When we asked for your feedback, we promised to share a summary of what we heard. Here’s what you, your neighbors and your community had to say about wellness in your area.

“Revive and thrive”: Small businesses in unincorporated King County hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for grants of up to $25,000

As part of King County’s initiative to help our region recover from the pandemic, the King County Council has dedicated $4.5 million to help small business owners in unincorporated areas.

King County Executive Dow Constantine launched the “Revive and Thrive” Business Grants July 7, from Aroma Coffee in Fall City, Washington. The grants offer up to $25000 to small businesses in unincorporated areas.

Apply at kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp

The application period opens Wednesday, July 7 and closes Wednesday, Aug. 4. Small business owners can apply online at https://kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp or by calling 206-477-3800 beginning today.

King County Local Services will administer this new grant program, which is open to businesses with 30 or fewer employees and $3 million or less in annual gross income.

Road crews are essential

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.

King County 2020 Community Service Area grants awarded

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.

Learn more about our Community Service Grants on the Local Services website.

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.

FarmKingCounty.org offers resources for farming businesses

Running a farm business is complex. Thorough business planning may help you access financing to start your farm or diversify your farm as you grow your business. Many types of financing for farms (from grants to traditional bank loans) will have different requirements such as what they will cover, amount available, deadlines, or interest rates. Your business may need employees. Labor laws dictate what is allowable — from hiring family members who are children, to paying employees by the amount harvested — and what recordkeeping is required. And like any business, farms are required to pay taxes. However, farms are also eligible for tax benefits and exemptions.

Continue reading FarmKingCounty.org offers resources for farming businesses

Local Services’ 19: Top Accomplishments of 2019

What a first year!

Our goals were clear: create a department and begin delivering improved government services to the diverse residents and businesses of unincorporated King County.

We took that and ran with it, retooling how the county listens to residents, works collaboratively with them, and acts in their communities.

Here are 19 accomplishments we racked up in 2019: Continue reading Local Services’ 19: Top Accomplishments of 2019

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Apply at kingcounty.gov/localbusinesshelp

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