Grant program reopens for businesses suffering amid pandemic

EVERETT — More local businesses can now apply for an economic assistance program that has awarded $20.2 million in grants to offset the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are due Feb. 2 for the latest round of the Small Business Relief, Recovery and Resiliency (R3) Grant Program, according to Snohomish County spokesman Kent Patton.

Businesses don’t need to apply again if they already have but did not receive grants; those applications will be automatically reconsidered this round, says a county news release that was issued on Tuesday.

County leaders created the program last year to help businesses with unexpected costs associated with the pandemic. A county share of federal coronavirus relief money funds the grants, which are administered by Workforce Snohomish.

So far, nearly 1,200 businesses have been awarded grants through the program, Patton said.

The full amount awarded in the upcoming round will depend on the number of applicants and their funding requests, he said.

Qualifying businesses may receive up to $25,000 each, according to the news release. The county anticipates those awards will be made within two weeks of the application closing.

To be eligible, businesses must have a location in Snohomish County and 20 or fewer employees. Applicants must also be businesses that have been open for a year or more and meet a variety of other requirements.

County officials are encouraging businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans to apply.

For a full list of requirements and application materials, visit workforcesnohomish.org. Applicants can also request a direct link to the application and instructions by sending an email to requestgrant@workforcesnohomish.org.

Rachel Riley: 425-339-3465; rriley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rachel_m_riley.