State DOC announces Working Washington Border Relief Grants

OLYMPIA – Just when Congress has everyone on tether hooks over whether the nation’s budget ceiling will be raised to prevent a U.S. government shutdown comes some good news from our state’s Department of Commerce (DOC) for those small businesses suffering from the closure of the U.S.-Canada border.
On Sept. 20 DOC announced Working Washington Grants: Border Business Relief Program targeted for small businesses in 10 counties, one of which is Okanogan, which have experienced hardship resulting from the COVID-19 border restrictions that began in March 2020.
“Commerce is launching new round of emergency grant relief funding,” said Roni Holder Diefenbach, Executive Director of the Economic Alliance in Omak. “This program will deliver grants of up to $50,000 to businesses impacted by the U.S.-Canadian border closure.”
Businesses must have reported annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019, a DOC media release said. Along with businesses in Okanogan County, those affected in Clallam, Jefferson, San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties are also eligible.
According to the DOC announcement the Border Business Grant will prioritize businesses that meet one or more of the following criteria:
    •    Customer-facing businesses that require direct, in-person interaction with customers for a significant portion of business activity. Examples include a retail shop or nail salon.
    •    Businesses located within a 20-mile radius of a Canadian border crossing or port.
    •    Industry sectors most impacted by the closure, which includes but is not limited to, retail, tourism, hospitality, recreation and entertainment.
    •    Size of the business (measured by 2019 revenue)
    •    Lost revenue between 2019 and 2020 and/or added expenses to maintain safe operations
    •    Businesses operating in a rural or low-income community and/or owned by someone from a historically underserved population (minority, veteran, LGBTQ+ or women-owned).
“For businesses that depend on visitors coming into or out of Canada, this closure has been extraordinarily difficult,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “This grant program is one way we can help small businesses hang on until U.S. and Canadian officials reach an agreement about reopening.”
Point Roberts an unincorporated community located on the southernmost tip of Tsawwassen peninsula, a part of Whatcom County that is only accessible by land through Canada, has been in the news on several occasions since the pandemic because of its unusual location and affected businesses.
Diefenbach said the application portal will be open from Oct. 4-18, and a Technical Support Center will be available to the public starting Wednesday, Sept. 29.
 
Details, including eligibility and ineligibility requirements and FAQs have been posted at commercegrants.com.
 
“Please review these FAQs as they cover a variety of important issues related to eligibility as well as prioritization for this program,” Diefenbach said.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host two webinars about the grant program on Sept. 29 and Oct. 4.

“We will follow up with more information about that program, including links to sign up, in a separate email,” Diefenbach said.
 
Questions can be directed to Diefenbach at 509-322-4634 or email at rholderdiefenbach@economic-alliance.com.