Spokane Valley businesses and nonprofits that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for aid grants starting Aug. 24 due to delays in a similar Spokane County program.
The program is funded through Spokane Valley’s $2.9 million allotment of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which Congress approved in March. Spokane Valley approved a contract with Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce to administer the funding earlier this month.
There is up to $7,158 available per business from a combined $1.2 million allocated for small businesses and nonprofits. Businesses with 18 or fewer employees are eligible. Nonprofits are eligible if they provide at least 18.65% of their services in the city of Spokane Valley.
According to city documents, the grant program application was initially slated to be open from August 10 to August 14, but was delayed to ensure that Spokane County and Spokane Valley’s grant programs would not overlap.
Spokane County’s small business and nonprofit program was for $10 million and was administered by Greater Spokane Incorporated, The Innovia Foundation and Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. It runs from July 27 to Aug. 24, and is open four days longer than originally planned. Spokane Valley’s grant program will involve the same organizations, but Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce will be the lead.
Cindy Wendle, a contractor with GSI, said the deadline had been delayed by a few days due to deluge of last minute questions and applications.
She said applications submitted by the original deadline, Aug. 10, will be given priority.
Spokane Valley’s application period will open at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24 and will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
The city allocated about $829,500 for small business and $411,600 for nonprofits. The criteria for applicants is posted on the Valley Chamber of Commerce’s website and recipients that meet eligibility requirements will be chosen through a lottery process.
More information can be found on the grant application website spokanevalleychamber.org/svgrants and by emailnig [email protected] or calling (509) 924-4994.
This article was updated on August 18, 2020 to reflect that Spokane County’s grant program ended on Friday.