Grant County, Othello receive funds from federal relief

EPHRATA/OTHELLO — Grant County is receiving $5.4 million in federal coronavirus relief for the county government. The county is setting aside $2.5 million for grants to small businesses.

Grant County Health District will receive $1.4 million, and $1 million will be set aside to cover pandemic-related county expenses.

The grants to small businesses will be administered by the Grant County Economic Development Council, a press release stated.

The city of Othello also has been awarded roughly $250,000 in federal grants as part of the massive COVID-19 relief package. According to Mayor Shawn Logan, a portion of the grant can be used to recoup the city’s costs of “unbudgeted items” purchased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for grants to small businesses in Othello.

Logan said the grant can also be used to cover the additional costs the city incurred by having to go to online meetings.

“It will really help,” he said.