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.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund

The application for this is not yet available. No date has been set for when the application portal will be opened.

This information will be updated as soon as we know.

What we do know right now is listed below:

Who can apply:

  • Restaurants
  • Food stands/truck/carts
  • Caterers
  • Bars/saloons/lounges/taverns
  • Snack & nonalcoholic beverage bars
  • Bakeries
  • Brewpubs/tasting rooms
  • Taprooms
  • Breweries/microbreweries
  • Wineries/distilleries
  • Inns
  • Licensed facilities or premises of a beverage alcohol where the public may taste, sample or purchase products

An online portal is coming soon but a practice form is available on the SBA website here.

SBA will accept applications but only process “priority groups” in the first 21 days.

Priority groups are defined as:

  • Women
  • Veterans
  • Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals

What is considered “allowable use of funds” for this program:

  • Business payroll costs (including sick leave)
  • Payments on any business mortgage obligation
  • Business rent payments (note: this does not include prepayment of rent)
  • Business debt service (both principal and interest; note: this does not include any prepayment of principal or interest)
  • Business utility payments
  • Business maintenance expenses
  • Construction of outdoor seating
  • Business supplies (including protective equipment and cleaning materials)
  • Business food and beverage expenses (including raw materials)
  • Covered supplier costs
  • Business operating expenses

You can click here to go to the SBA website for more information.

For a quick overview of the new grant program, click here for 3 things to know.

Washington COVID-19 Immigration Relief Fund

Gov. Jay Inslee today announced applications will be accepted for the next round of assistance under the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund from April 21 to May 21, 2021.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, prioritizing those according to need. Eligible community members can apply by:

• Visiting the website at immigrantreliefwa.org
• Calling the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network at 844-724-3737, which is staffed every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Connecting with a DSHS community-based partner for assistance

Applicants must demonstrate Washington state residency; be at least 18 years old; have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic; be ineligible for federal stimulus payments or unemployment insurance benefits due to their immigration status; and have an income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.

The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is considered one-time disaster relief assistance. Receiving assistance from this fund should not impact people’s ability to obtain a green card.

 

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
The federal government announced a special 14-day window open strictly for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees to apply for the new round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This exclusive application period starts February 24, 2021 at 9 am Eastern time. There have also been changes made to the program to allow sole proprietors and independent contractors to receive more financial support. Remember – the portion of the PPP loan funding used to pay for staff, rent, and utilities can be forgiven (turned into grant funds) as long as the program requirements are followed.
Improvements have already been made to the program as shown by a nearly 60% increase in funding going to small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and an increase of 30% of funding going to rural communities. If you need assistance, now is the time to apply.
Contact your local bank to start the application process.
The Special Funding Window for Small Businesses will close May 31, 2021.

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
33,457,407
Recovered
0
Deaths
599,664
Last updated: 1 second ago