EVERETT — Sound Publishing has launched a local stimulus program to help businesses adapt in a rapidly evolving economic environment.
Based in Everett, Sound is the publisher of the Peninsula Daily News, The Daily Herald and the Daily World in Aberdeen and provides local news, information and advertising to more than 35 communities in Washington.
Sound will make up to $500,000 available to locally owned and operated businesses through monthly grants ranging from $500 to $20,000.
The program will provide matching advertising credits for use in print and digital products.
The grants will be awarded immediately and will be effective in January, February and March.
Applications are due Jan. 24. Grants can be used from Jan. 1 through March 31.
“This stimulus program follows the highly successful grant program that we launched in May of this year,” said Josh O’Connor, president of Sound Publishing.
“While providing nearly $300,000 of much-needed marketing grants to local advertisers, we gained great insights into the challenges that small business owners are facing,” O’Connor said. “We’ve developed our stimulus program to meet those challenges and help local business not only recover, but flourish, in today’s business climate.”
Said Terry Ward, vice-president of Sound and publisher of the Peninsula Daily News: “Businesses across the North Olympic Peninsula continue to struggle as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis and it’s important we all work together as a community to support our neighbors in their time of need.
“I’m pleased we are able to give back to the business community through these advertising grants. We know this won’t solve all the problems our businesses are facing but our hope is it makes a difference.”
Eran Kennedy, the company’s advertising director, added: “The goal of the local business stimulus program is to assist our clients and small businesses during these challenging times. Working together with our community, we are helping them not only face these challenges but also to pivot their messages.”
To apply, go to www.soundcommunitygrant.com.
