Franklin County to distribute $3 million to local businesses, non-profits

PASCO, Wash.-- Business and government leaders in Franklin County announced the availability of $3 million for local business and non-profit organizations to help them recoup the costs of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Franklin County Commissioners approved distributing a portion of the $5.2 million the county received through the CARES Act, to establish a Community Support Grant, to provide repayment-free financial help.

"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," said Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck.

The Franklin County CARES Act Community Support Grant comes shortly after Benton County announced a similar program. The Tri-City Development Council, or TRIDEC, is working with both counties to manage the application process and administer the grants.

Beginning at noon Thursday, August 6, 2020, businesses and organizations can begin submitting applications for two rounds of grant distribution. Businesses may apply for up to $50,000 of assistance, depending on the size of the applicant’s business. Independent contractors and non-profits classified as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(19) are also eligible to apply.

Applications for the first round of funding will be accepted beginning Thursday, and will end at 11:59 PM on August 28, 2020.

The second round will open September 11, 2020 and will run through October 2nd. Recipients for both rounds will be chosen via a lottery system, and those businesses or organizations not selected in the first round will automatically be submitted in the second round.

Eligible expenses for the Franklin County CARES Act Community Support Grant mirror those of similar grant programs by including rent, utilities and PPE supplies. For a full list of eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, or to apply visit WWW.TRIDEC.ORG/FCCARES.