Whatcom ReStart grants from CARES Act funds helped these businesses during COVID-19
More than 250 Whatcom County businesses received grants under the Whatcom ReStart program funded by last spring’s federal coronavirus relief package, officials announced this week.
Businesses and nonprofit groups — including nail salons, restaurants, craft brewers and exercise studios — received grants of up to $15,000 each from a pool of $2.5 million earmarked for those that struggled in the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
A total of 264 businesses across Whatcom County received the grants from a pool of 628 applicants, County Executive Satpal Sidhu said in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Whatcom County and the cities of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Sumas, Everson, Nooksack and Blaine received a total of $16.3 million from the $2.2 trillion stimulus package Congress approved in March, and they agreed to pool their individual awards.
“When we started these discussions about supporting small businesses impacted by COVID-19, it quickly became clear just how interconnected our county is and how we need to pool our resources. So many of our residents live in one town or ZIP code but work in another,” Sidhu said in the statement.
More funds are possible from the state Department of Commerce, the statement said.
Applications for the Whatcom ReStart grants were open during the last two weeks of July.
They were evaluated for adaptivity/business strength, impact/need and community contribution — with an eye toward parity countywide.
Applications were reviewed by committees, the statement said.
Businesses and nonprofits in Bellingham, which provide 55% of jobs countywide, received the largest share of grants, totaling more than $680,000.
Grants could only cover specific expenses., according to CARES Act funding conditions that limited expenses to rent, ordinary loan payments, employee wages and benefits, typical operating costs and COVID-19-related public health measures.
