DAYTON—The Port of Columbia has opened a new grant opportunity for start-up businesses in Columbia County. Through funding provided by Innovia, a private foundation that serves eastern Washington and northern Idaho, the Port of Columbia is offering micro-grants to start-up businesses. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to qualifying businesses upon review and recommendation by a local committee.

Qualifications for applying include, but are not limited to:

• Business Plan

• Business License

• Ability to have a business location physically secured, in Columbia County, within 30 days of the grant award

• Copies of estimates of planned expenditures or invoices of expenses incurred

• Must be a business that has not yet started operating or has not been in operation more than three months

• Has not received any previous grants from the Port of Columbia

The Port received $15,000 from Innovia for the program and will award 100% of the funds directly to start-up businesses.

In 2020, the Port offered a similar program with funds received from Innovia. That program assisted in the location of two new businesses in downtown Dayton: Main Street Marketplace and Table Rock Meat Co.

Grant information and an application form can be found on the Port’s website at

https://www.portofcolumbia.org/economic-development/business-assistance/ .

Applications are due September 30th.