Port announces additional assistance for Columbia County businesses

DAYTON—The Port of Columbia will once again serve as the conduit for grant funds for Columbia County businesses that have suffered financial harm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four different funding sources have provided or promised a total of $229,639 in financial aid to be allocated through a grant program coordinated by the Port.

“The first grant program we coordinated helped 25 local businesses with grants totaling more than $154,138,” stated Jennie Dickinson, executive director of the Port of Columbia. “But it’s not enough. We’ve been getting calls for help, and the Chamber has been getting calls for help, there are still many businesses out there that need a hand to get through this challenging time that doesn’t seem to have an end in sight.”

Because of the various funding sources, there are two different applications forms for businesses to consider: one to receive funds from the Community Development Block Grant program, which can provide microgrants of no more than $3,500 to low-to-moderate income businesses (total available $6,025), and the other for grants of no more than $10,000 made possible through Federal CARES Act funds from the City of Dayton ($76,800) and the State of Washington ($126,814), and private grant funds from the Innovia Foundation ($20,000).

A local review committee made up of one representative each from the City of Dayton, Columbia County, Port of Columbia, Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector will score each application based on predetermined criteria. These are reimbursable grants, meaning the business must provide copies of invoices that add up to the amount being requested to qualify for the funding.

Grant information and application forms can be found on the Port’s website at http://www.portofcolumbia.org.