Grant funds awarded to local businesses

RITZVILLE – The Adams County Development Council is raising money for grants to offset the coronavirus impact on small businesses.

Fundraising manager Janis Rountree said the decision to create the grant came after local officials realized the state’s Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant would not have enough money to help all the local businesses in need.

Adams County’s share of that statewide program is only $79,295, and by state rules, they can only submit 32 applications for funding consideration.

“Within 48 hours, we had 70 applicants for the state grant,” Rountree said. “We knew the state wouldn’t even be able to help half of the people in need in our area, so we felt we had to do what we could to start our own fund.”

Rountree approached the economic directors April 9 for a starting amount.

“They pledged $10,000 to start the account,” Rountree said.

The board next approached Innovia Foundation of Spokane, a community foundation serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho who have a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

“They gave us a match of $10,000,” Rountree said. “After that, we’ve been reaching out to cities and towns, local chambers and private donors trying to reach our first goal of $75,000.”

As of Friday, April 25, they had already raised $65,500.

They plan to give out 50 grants in the amount of $1500.

Rountree said those who applied for the Working Washington Grant who aren’t going to get funded will have their applications automatically rolled over into the ACDC emergency grant.

She said they are also accepting new applications from anyone who hasn’t applied yet, and are keeping the parameters of the state grant; business of 10 or less employees who have been in business at least a year and are able to demonstrate an impact from the governor’s shut down orders.

Rountree said the majority of applicants are sole proprietors or businesses who have had to completely close their doors, although they also have a handful of retail-end or food-type businesses that are working under modified hours.

“All 70 applicants are very well-deserving of something. They all have been obviously affected, and everybody is equally worried about how they’re going to pay their bills and how they’re going to re-open their doors when we’re allowed to get the stay at home order ended,” Rountree said.

She said that while there is help for farmers through USDA or more agriculture-dominant organizations, being in the business of agriculture was not a limitation to apply for the county grants, as it is for the state grants.

“That’s not something we would turn away,” Rountree said. “There’s local orchards and blueberry farms that could possibly qualify within the parameters. If they have 10 or less employees and are showing a need or they’ve been shut down or whatever, we want to see their applications.”

The applications will go through a review committee, then the first 50 grants will hopefully start to be awarded the first week of May.

Rountree said the state has their own application review process, and she isn’t sure if all 32 applicants will be awarded something, or if the state will cut it down to award just a handful of applicants.

“That to us is a scary unknown, because we are hoping everybody can get something. Otherwise, we are going to try and raise more money for our local grant so we can try to help all of these businesses in some way,” Rountree said. “All 70 applicants are deserving of something. Everyone is worried about how they can stay in business and open their doors.”

Donations have come in from all around the county.

“Its kind of inspiring to see that people are willing to step up and help our neighbors,” Rountree said. “Even with my Board of Directors, which is made up of about 20 members who are usually very conservative about spending money, as soon as the topic was brought up they didn’t even hesitate to say ‘Yes, we need to do something to support our businesses.’ We know everybody is hurting and we are trying to give a little bit of encouragement. We can’t give a lot, but we’re just hoping it helps them out enough to be able to re-open when the time is ready.”

Rountree stressed the importance of businesses knowing the funding was raised locally.

“Your local leaders want you guys to still be in business. It’s important everybody knows we’re here to really support one another,” Rountree said. “Nobody wants to lose a business over this.”

Rountree can be reached at [email protected] or 509 331 2042. The ACDC office is located at 425 E. Main St., Ste. 300 in Othello.

Anyone wanting to make a direct donation can donate to the grant through any local branch of Columbia Bank.