June 19, 2020

Lewis County Economic Development Council (EDC) in partnership with Lewis County Together, will be providing small business grants to qualifying businesses located in Lewis County. The Board of County Commissioners has allocated a portion of the Coronavirus Relief Funds received from the Washington State Department of Commerce for business and economic recovery, The Commissioners have set aside $200,000 to assist businesses as they bounce back from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under direction of the Lewis County Commissioners, the County has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the EDC, providing the framework to distribute $200,000 in grant funds to area businesses.

A committee made up of representatives from throughout the county has been appointed to decide how to most effectively roll out the business grant program.

County Commission Chair Gary Stamper said, “It’s important that the County do everything possible to assist businesses during these challenging times. I believe that these grants will make a difference.”

EDC Chair Dan Rich stated, “We appreciate the opportunity to work jointly with the County to assist our businesses in rebounding.”

In order to qualify, a business must be located in the County, have no more than 20 employees, and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Consideration will be given to those businesses that were most impacted by a suspension of operations. There are other factors that will considered.