COVID-19 Economic Impact & Resources

COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Applications

The Port is not currently directly administering any COVID relief grant programs.

However, there are several opportunities available for different types of funding for businesses in Whatcom County:

  1. WA Dept of Commerce's Working Washington Round 5 (COVID relief grant program, application portal opens August 17-31, 2022 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2022)
  2. WA Dept of Commerce's Small Business Flex Fund (loan program, open)

Western Washington University Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides the lead on technical assistance in Whatcom County, including but not limited to: identifying financial tools, understanding new tools and resources made available by local, state, and federal authorities, and coordinating with local lenders to relay the needs of clients. Any issues related to technical assistance should be coordinating via the SBDC. Their office is closed and they will be doing web-based small business consulting until further notice. You can also visit their website for additional information and business resources as tools are identified and developed by local, state, and federal authorities.

If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please complete your client profile here. Upon completion, the SBDC will contact you to coordinate an appointment that works well for your schedule.

  1. Local gov
  2. State gov
  3. Federal gov
  4. Local orgs
  5. Sovereign Tribal Nations
  6. Canada/Border Crossing

REP and WHD issue Joint Framework on Re-Opening Whatcom County’s Economy

With the highest goal always being public safety and health, Whatcom County Health Department and the Regional Economic Partnership at the Port of Bellingham intend to work side-by-side to ensure a safe, healthy re-opening of our local economy. The WHD and REP have issued a Joint Framework that includes details on the process and timeline for re-opening, which can be read here. The appendix can be found here..

Whatcom Unified Command on COVID-19

Please visit Unified Command’s COVID-19 website for regular updates and see their Businesses and Restaurants page for business specific information.