SEQUIM — The City of Sequim has again opened applications to help local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Up to $100,000 is available to help owners of small brick-and-mortar stores within city limits who are behind in rent payments by at least two months.
City leaders will work with Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce personnel to consider applications for the COVID-19 Small Business Rent Relief Grant program until the funds are exhausted.
Each business may apply once only, according to city staff.
Applications opened March 30 through the chamber’s website at sequimchamber.com.
Council members voted Monday, Feb. 28, to use up to $100,000 from rainy day funds to help businesses with rent after previously allocating late last year up to $250,000 to generally support businesses hurt economically during the pandemic.
In the last two years, the council has allocated $500,000 through its Small Business Rapid Relief program.
In February, Sequim Mayor Tom Ferrell suggested the $100,000 rental support option while council member Rachel Anderson recommended saving the remaining $150,000 from the original motion to see how businesses do after the mask mandate was lifted and COVID-19 rates go down. Council member William Armacost urged faster action on disbursing the funds in recent months.
What it entails
The application asks specifics of each small business, such as:
• A brief description with mission and goals;
• Amount in arrears with landlord;
• Evidence of increased costs due to the pandemic;
• Whether the business received other grant funding.
Other requirements for the grant include that the business must have fewer than 50 employees; have operated within city limits for at least six months; is current with city and state licensing and regulatory requirements; and must be in arrears in rent payments for at least two months.
Any business owned or partially owned by an individual or immediate family member, manager or director of the chamber executive committee or a Sequim City Council member or employee are not eligible for this grant.
Contact Beth Pratt, the chamber’s executive director, at director@sequim chamber.com for more information.
