$100 million available for businesses affected by pandemic

OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic. An informational webinar will be held on Monday, March 13. Information on the webinar and the application are available at wahospitalitygrants.com. The application portal opens on March 14.

Questions can be emailed to info@wahospitalitygrants.com.

The grants are open only to:

Restaurants; food stands, trucks, and carts

Caterers, bars, saloons, lounges, and taverns

Snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars

Licensed alcohol producers where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products

Hotels and motels (except casinos), inns, and bed and breakfast establishments with at least five private lodging rooms or onsite sales of food and beverage that account for at least 25% of gross receipts or sales

Bakeries, brewpubs, tasting rooms, taprooms, breweries, microbreweries, wineries, and distilleries are also eligible to apply if onsite sales to the public comprise at least 25% of gross receipts or sales.

Bowling alleys and convention and visitors’ bureaus will also be considered for a grant, depending on the availability of funds

Additional qualifications:

Eligible businesses must have experienced a 25% or more loss in gross receipts or sales between 2019 and 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health and safety measures.

Eligible businesses must generate minimum gross receipts or sales of $12,000 in 2019 or 2020 if the business opened that year, generated at least 51% of revenue in the state, has not permanently closed, or intend to close in 2023.

Eligible businesses must have expenses necessary to continue business operations, such as payroll and rent.

The $100 million in grants were provided to the Department of Commerce from the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan. Of the amount provided, $15 million was set aside expressly to reimburse qualifying lodging establishments that experienced economic losses during the state’s eviction moratorium under the governor’s proclamations.

The grants are for businesses with $5 million or less in annual gross receipts or sales within designated NAICS codes. If Commerce funds all eligible applicants and money remains, Commerce may provide grants to otherwise eligible businesses with annual gross receipts or sales greater than $5 million.