Umatilla County opens COVID-19 relief small business program

Published 7:00 am Friday, August 7, 2020

Small businesses in Umatilla County can get a $5,000 grant as money from the federal government’s COVID-19 relief package continues to trickle down to Umatilla County.

Umatilla County Economic Development announced the start of a new small business relief program in a Aug. 6 press release, stating the county intends to distribute $5,000 grants to qualifying businesses proportionately throughout the county.

According to the city of Hermiston, the city is partnering with the county to provide extra funds for the program from the city’s portion of the federal CARES Act, reserving a total of $745,000 specifically for Hermiston businesses.

The county states that eligible businesses, including sole proprietors, must be directly affected by the state’s COVID-19 orders, through a closure or other mandated changes to the business. Business must also be headquartered and operating in the county and employ 50 people or fewer.

A business can only submit one application and nonprofits are not eligible.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 26 and business owners can apply for the grants at www.umatillacounty.net/grants. Paper applications are available at local city halls, where they can also be submitted.