County provides relief for business

COLFAX – The Whitman County Small Business Program is offering a relief program for businesses suffering from the COVID pandemic and current economy.

Awards range from $5,000 to $320,000 per business.

The amounts depend on the number of applications and how comfortable the business is with providing documentation.

”All applications and any grants awarded are considered public information and are subject to disclosure. All relevant IRS, state, and federal regulations apply.”

Document required are the application form, completed IRS W-9, copy of current business license, and business information page from the State of Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System.

To be eligible for relief a business must:

• Have 250 employees or less

• Operating prior to Jan. 1, 2021

• Have been negatively impacted by COVID

• A Whitman County based business to serve Whitman County

Owners of multiple establishments may apply for each separate business for consideration.

Receiving prior aid does not mean that a business will not be considered for aid under this program.

Application deadline is March 1 with the grants awarded on March 21. The funds must be used by Oct. 31, 2024.

The money can be used for declines in revenue, payroll and benefits, costs to retain employees, mortgage or rent payments, utilities, operating costs, COVID prevention programs, enhanced cleaning costs, technical assistance, counseling, and business planning needs.

Some uses of the funds that are prohibited include paying debts incurred before Jan. 1, 2010, legal settlements, created endowments, political purposes, academic or medical research, religious activities, buying real estate or vehicles, and paying taxes, payouts to executives.