The Port of Columbia has still has funds remaining for start-up business grants in Columbia County. Through funding provided by Innovia, a private foundation that serves eastern Washington and northern Idaho, the Port of Columbia offered a micro-grant program to start-up businesses in 2021. Two businesses were awarded grants of $5,000 each – Starbuck Lodge and Annie’s Attic. Grants are not to exceed $5,000 and will be awarded to a qualifying business upon review and recommendation by a local committee.

Qualifications for applying include, but are not limited to:

• 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

The Port received a $15,000 award from Innovia for the program and has already awarded $10,000. There is $5,000 remaining in the grant fund.

In 2020, the Port offered a similar program with funds received from Innovia. That program assisted in the location of two new businesses in downtown Dayton – Main Street Marketplace and Table Rock Meat Co.

Grant information and an application form can be found on the Port’s website click here.