Grants for Island County Businesses Impacted by Canadian Border – Info and Webinars
The Washington State Department of Commerce is about to open a program with targeted grants aimed at providing support to small businesses that generate significant revenue from Canadian visitors or businesses that require access to the US-Canadian border crossings. The border has been closed to most travelers since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Working Washington Grants: Border Business Relief Program will focus on customer-facing businesses that have experienced hardship due to the extended US-Canadian border. Businesses must have reported annual revenues of $5 million or less in 2019 to the Department of Revenue and be located in Clallam, Jefferson, San Juan, Island, Skagit, Whatcom, Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens or Pend Oreille counties.
INFORMATION
For more information, including eligibility and detailed FAQs, go to commercegrants.com. Customer support will be available by phone in English and Spanish beginning Sept. 29. The application portal is expected to be open October 4 – 18.
WEBINARS
If you think you may be eligible, join in on one of the webinars the SBDC is conducting in partnership with the WA Department of Commerce. This webinar is at no cost but registration is required.
September 29 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
October 4 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm PDT