Submitted by the Town of Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor business owners are once again encouraged to apply to the town for assistance with business rent and mortgage payments to be awarded through the Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant II Program. Grant awards of $500 to $2,000 per business will be funded with monies received from the state under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Applicants with brick and mortar businesses within the town may seek reimbursement or direct payment of business rent or mortgage expenses incurred between March 1 and Nov. 30, 2020. Applications must be received at Town Hall by Nov. 6.

“The Town was recently granted additional CARES funds from the state,” said Mayor Farhad Ghatan, “and we believe our local economy will be well-served by offering another rent payment assistance opportunity to our businesses.”

The Town has designated $30,000 for this grant program from the $108,900 they received from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund. The state is providing these funds to local governments that did not receive a direct distribution through the federal CARES Act. In addition to the rent relief grants, the town is using these monies to cover their costs incurred in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The state Department of Commerce determined the local allocations based on population data and COVID-19 impact figures.

Business owners can access the grant application on the town’s website at www.fridayharbor.org. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or delivery to Town Hall. All applications must be received at Town Hall no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6. Applications will be reviewed by a town committee. Grant funds will be awarded by Nov. 20. Questions should be directed to Julie Greene at 360-378-2810.