OLYMPIA, Wash.-
The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering $100 million in grant opportunities for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic.
The grants are targeted primarily for small businesses with $5 million or less in annual gross receipts or sales according to a Department of Commerce press release announcing the funding.
“While some of our small businesses are starting to recover and rebuild in the wake of a global pandemic, more continue to face historic challenges,” said Chris Green, Assistant Director of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness.
The $100 million in grants was provided to the Department of Commerce through the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, which was part of the federal American Rescue Plan according to today’s press release.
Grant eligibility requirements:
Restaurants, food stands, food trucks and food 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), and inns and bed and breakfast establishments that have a 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.Eligible business must have experienced a 25% or greater 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); generate at least 51% of revenue in the state, have not permanently closed or intend to close in 2023.Eligible businesses must have expenses that are necessary to continue business operations, such as payroll and rent.
