$3 million in CARES grants going to struggling Franklin County businesses

Juli Massingale started making and selling Sweet Walla Walla Onion mustard with her mother more than 30 years ago.

AJ’s Edible Arts earns much of its revenue placing products at the Country Mercantile stores and farmers markets.

Massingale had just ordered more jars when COVID-19 hit Washington state. The widespread closures and cancellation of events left her with about $7,000 in outstanding bills.

When she heard from the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) about emergency funding to help small businesses affected by the shutdown, she was happy to work with an organization she trusted.

The $5,000 grant she received meant being able to bridge the lean times.

$3 million in grants

Now hundreds of Franklin County businesses will get the same kind of help as they struggle to stay open during the next few months, the county announced at a news conference Thursday.

The TRIDEC is administering a $3 million grant program for small businesses based in Franklin County. The program is being funded with $5.2 million the county received as part of the federal CARES Act to pay for its coronavirus response.

Commissioner Brad Peck thanked community members for wearing masks, socially distancing and supporting local businesses as much as they can.

“Of course, it’s not as much as we’d like. It’s not as much as we need, and I’m hopeful that we can continue to pursue state and federal funding to increase this as we go forward,” Peck said.

Commissioner Bob Koch said he’s excited about starting the program. He sees the struggle people in Connell are going through every day because of COVID-19.

During Thursday’s announcement, Commissioner Clint Didier pointed out that he would like to have seen more money going to local businesses, in particular $1 million that went to the Benton Franklin Health District and other money the county is holding for contingencies.

CARES grants

Franklin County’s program comes weeks after Benton County started a similar program with $3.5 million.

Benton County recently wrapped up accepting its first round of applications, according to TRIDEC. Benton County’s second round starts on Aug. 14.

Franklin County businesses can submit their applications starting Thursday through Aug. 28. A second round starts on Sept. 11.

There are two sizes of grants depending on the size of the business before the pandemic.

Business with fewer than 20 employees are eligible for up to $10,000. If they had more than 20 employees they can receive up to $50,000.

Along with for-profit businesses, some nonprofit organizations, such as charities and veterans organizations are eligible as well.

The business needs to follow a series of requirements to get the money, including:

• It must be located in the county it’s requesting money from.
• Owned by a U.S. citizen or an immigrant with permanent resident standing.
• Used to maintain or create jobs.
• Submit a business license or confirm its nonprofit status.
• Closed or reduced capacity because of the governor’s orders due to COVID-19.
• Lost revenue because of COVID-19.

The money can be spent on rent, protective equipment, insurance, utility bills, consulting and marketing expenses, training and other costs associated with the pandemic.

TRIDEC President and CEO Karl Dye said in a statement Thursday the programs are critical to rebuilding the area’s economy.

And he is asking businesses not to abuse the system and to only take what they need.

“The goal is to help as many companies as possible,” he said.

“The economic health of Benton and Franklin counties are tied to each other,” Dye said. “TRIDEC is advocating for the entire region daily. We’re working with state and deferral decision makers to impress upon them the necessity of providing more aid to both counties.”

People can find more information and apply for the grants by going to tridec.org/bccares in Benton County and tridec.org/fccares in Franklin County.

Power of helping

After getting help, Massingale said she has been able to bridge the gap.

“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” she told the Herald. “We’re OK because the stores have reopened.”