Businesses in Adams County to receive grants

OTHELLO — Adams County Development Council has raised $80,700 in pledges, beating ACDC’s goal to raise $75,000 for Adams County Small Business Emergency Grants. As of May 11, $50,000 had been received by ACDC, according to manager Janis Rountree.

“We are so thrilled that donations have come in so quickly to support our local businesses. Collectively, our communities are very concerned about our current economy and want to support those that are still closed and hoping to return, once the governor’s stay-at-home orders are lifted,” Rountree said.

The idea for the grants started when only 32 small businesses were allowed to submit applications for aid from the state’s Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant. ACDC and Adams County Economic Development partnered to raise money to give $1,500 grants to more small businesses in the county.

Support for the grant program has come from Adams County, Innovia COVID-19 Community Response Fund, Roger Thieme, the city of Othello, the city of Ritzville, Spectrum Crop Development, the Othello Rotary Club, the Othello Chamber of Commerce, Kuo Testing Labs, Clearway Energy Group, Blattner Energy, Brian and Lora Hille, Stephen McFadden and the Columbia Basin Herald Media Group, which includes the Columbia Basin Herald and The Sun Tribune.

— Rachal Pinkerton