The Port of Columbia has opened a new grant opportunity for start-up businesses in Columbia County. Through funding provided by Innovia, a private foundation that serves eastern Washington and northern Idaho, 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.
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 will be passing 100% of the funds through to start-up businesses.
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 at https://www.portofcolumbia.org/economic-development/business-assistance/ . Applications are due September 30th.