Olympic Times

Small businesses affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply for the Small Business Grant available through Grays Harbor County Commissioners.

Fund allocation of $500,000 is through the CARES Act and the grant maximum per business is $10,000.

“The CARES Act provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families and small businesses, and preserves jobs for our American industries,” the Grays Harbor County grant application reads.

To be eligible for a grant, the business must have operated in Grays Harbor County since Jan. 1; have a maximum of 50 full-time employees; provide IRS Form W-9 and any other pertinent financial information to the county; and define what tier the business is using.

There are three tiers for businesses to choose from: business closure during Phase 1 of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order and located in Grays harbor, business partially opened during Phase 1 or business remained open during Phase 1 but still incurred financial loss during the pandemic.

“Expenses funded by this grant must be associated with the provision of economic support in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency,” the application states. “Expenditures related to the provision of grants to small businesses to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures.”

The third funding cycle will be August 3 at noon. All applications will be reviewed and ranked in order of submission.

Eligible businesses can apply on the website, hand-deliver to the commissioner's office or mail all required items to the commissioner's office at 100 W. Broadway Suite 1, Montesano, WA 98563.