COVID-19 Grants and Business Resources

The Port of Columbia continues to facilitate grant programs for Columbia County businesses that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small Business Start-up Fund

Through a grant from a private foundation, Innovia, the Port of Columbia is offering micro-grants to start-up businesses. Grants not to exceed $5,000 will be awarded to qualifying businesses upon review and recommendation by a local committee.

Applicant requirements:

  • Business Plan
  • Business License
  • Ability to have a business location physically secured, in Columbia County, within 30 days of the grant award
  • Copies of estimates of planned expenditures or invoices of expenses incurred
  • Must be a business that has not yet started operating or has not been in operation more than 3 months
  • Has not received any previous grants from the Port of Columbia

Two ways to submit your application: 

  • #1 Download this document, print and fill out your information.  Submit the application via fax, mail or scan and email.
  • #2 Download this document, enter your information on this fillable PDF file, save to your device and submit via email.  

When you are ready to apply, click here for the application. 

Small Business Flex Fund

Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Fund helps small businesses and nonprofits access the financial support they need to thrive.

Small businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $150,000 and the money can be spent flexibly.

Applying is easy!  If you have fewer than 50 employees, annual revenues of less than $3 million, direct economic hardship due to COVID-19 and have been in business for one year or prior to June 30, 2020.

Click here for all the details and to apply.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

This grant program has closed and is no longer available

Washington COVID-19 Immigration Relief Fund

This grant program has closed and is no longer available

 

Value Added Producer Grant

This grant program has closed and is no longer available

 

Working Washington 4.0 Small Business Grant Program

This grant program has closed and is no longer available

Grant recipients will be contacted in mid-May and will receive their award by June 30, 2021.

 

Special PPP Funding Window for Small Businesses

This PPP funding program has closed and is no longer available

Other Resources:

STATE

  • Working Washington 4.0 small business grant program go to WA State Dept of Commerce for more information.  Click for the link to grant application portal and eligibility info is here.
  • For specific information for both businesses and workers go to Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19)
  • Unemployment Information: Not only can laid off employees apply, but so can self-employed business
    owners. You can apply online and as of now it should go through without an issue, however if it isn’t
    working or it shows you as denied, call again! Persistence will be important as these programs sort
    themselves out. Apply here: ESD link.
  • If you have 150 or fewer employees and one of your employees takes approved Paid Family and Medical Leave, you may be eligible for a grant.  Click for more information.
  • The Governor’s Office has a COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Businesses and Workers impacted, as well as guidelines organized by business sector.
  • Washington State Department of Revenue is offering tax collection relief information.
  • WA State Department of Financial Institutions has a page dedicated to financial resources for
    Washington residents impacted by COVID-19.
  • Washington Retail Association has a dedicated COVID-19 resource page that includes information for
    employers and retailers.
  • Washington State Department of Commerce has StartUp Washington, a page dedicated to resources for small businesses
    impacted by COVID-19.
  • Washington State Small Business Guidance, has a dedicated resource page for small
    businesses that have been effected by COVID-19.
  • Washington State Arts Commission has provided an entire page of resources for those running small
    businesses all the way to self-employed artists and Washington State residents.
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture offers COVID-19 resources to those in the
    agricultural field.
  • The Secretary of State website contains a multitude of useful information and aid in relation to COVID-19.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers information for veterans affected during this time due to
    COVID-19.
  • The Emergency Management Division of the State of Washington has a Business Re-entry Program for
    businesses that need to access an area that has been declared a disaster. This is a voluntary program
    that allows a business to sign up or register to be listed on a state database that can then be accessed
    by local emergency management organizations making decision on granting access to impacted areas.
    Visit Washington State Emergency Management Division website for detailed information and to
    register.

LOCAL

Columbia County Public Health is providing free masks to anyone who asks for them via either a
phone call or a walk-in. Additionally, they have provided several links to some great information and
resources on COVID-19 in our community and beyond:

Help for Individuals:

    • Project Timothy provides assistance with rent, utilities, and food. Do not hesitate
      to call and ask for help and share with anyone you know who may need help right now. The number is 509-382-2943.
    • Columbia County Food Bank: Drive thru pick up at the old AgLink building at 207 N 3rd St, Tuesdays from 2 – 4 pm.
    • Walla Walla Community Council has compiled information for housing and utility assistance.  Please click here for more information, available in English and the same document is in Spanish here.

OTHER RESOURCES

  • IDEAS FOR MAIN STREET: Dayton is part of the Main Street America/Main Street Forward which shared these resources for business owners.
  • The Institute for Sustainable Development shared this document with resources for
    businesses and for those of us trying to help our communities.
  • JOURNALIST RHONDA ABRAMS offers 10 a.m. daily (M-F) live small business updates on her Facebook.

 

Live COVID-19 statistics for
United States of America
Confirmed
35,237,950
Recovered
0
Deaths
614,295
Last updated: 1 minute ago