Countywide partnership provides more than $2.5 million in grants to support local businesses impacted by COVID-19

Following a comprehensive review of 628 applications for the Whatcom ReStart business grant, 264 top-tier applicants were identified for funding. The maximum grant amount was $15,000. Whatcom County and the cities of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Sumas, Everson, Nooksack and Blaine all contributed CARES Act funds to the grant program and each played an integral role in identifying the top applicants in their respective jurisdictions.
 
“When we started these discussions about supporting small businesses impacted by COVID-19, it quickly became clear just how interconnected our county is and how we need to pool our resources. So many of our residents live in one town or zip code but work in another,” said County Executive Satpal Sidhu. “I’m grateful to all the mayors for prioritizing cooperation and collaboration. We are achieving more together than we could ever do separately.” 

For more information, see full press release here.