Bills, salaries, new inventory and much more. That’s what recent relief grants through the City of Sequim and Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce are helping several local businesses with in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far about $180,000 in grants have been distributed or committed to 25 Sequim businesses, with another 10 businesses to receive grants on June 12.
Anji Scalf, the chamber’s executive director, said there were 35 applicants with requests going up to the maximum award of $15,000.
“The first week I had some time so I hand-delivered the checks and the response was incredible,” she said. “We know it’s bittersweet because we know people need more.
“At least we’re getting them a leg up.”
In late April, Sequim city councilors agreed to transfer $250,000 from the city’s Rainy Day Fund to create a COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Relief Program. Sequim businesses with less than 50 employees had until May 15 to apply.
The Sequim chamber created a parallel Small Business Relief Fund prior to the city’s fund supporting businesses in or outside of the city limits in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.
Scalf said they are working on fundraising for the fund and creating a foundation to make donations tax deductible.
Businesses respond
Randy Perry, owner of Sequim Shoe Repair, 425 E. Washington St., was one of the business owners granted city relief funds, which he says will help with basic expenses and getting caught back up after being mostly closed more than 2 months due to the 2019 novel coronavirus.
“I had to tap into other funds, so this’ll be nice to get the shop back and running,” he said.
He remains part-time after initially opening up on Saturdays before opening on Thursdays and Fridays, too.
“It’s shoe repair, so it’s not life and death, but for people who work it is,” he said. “People coming in are extremely grateful. People need this done.”
Perry said it’s understandable for people to have other things on their mind aside from shoe repair now, and he believes people will get back to their regular lives eventually. The funds will help him transition during that time and “ease the pain” for the next few months, he said.
He encourages other businesses to be proactive for seeking grants and support.
“You can’t be afraid to ask for a loan,” Perry said. “Small business loans are abundant right now.”
As another city grant recipient, Becky Northaven, manager of Sequim Radio Shack, 680 W. Washington St., suite B106, said she and the store’s co-owner and her partner John Graham will use funds for increasing inventory, advertising with the radio, and ensuring future utility payments.
“In this particular instance, we will be using it to help grow business, and in a few wishful areas,” she said.
Northaven and Graham purchased the store in January 2019 and spent a year improving its inventory, which came to a recent halt due to the 2019 novel coronavirus. Their hope is to bring in Yamaha products and popular weather stations.
“Radio Shack had a reputation for being the place to go for little to big electronics but most of the big stuff had fallen by the wayside,” Northaven said.
Following the corporation’s bankruptcy, its supply chain dwindled as did the independent store’s chain during the pandemic, she said. However, the store has remained open as an essential store, and the grant will help them bring in big brand stereo receivers among other things.
“We hope to continue to expand depending on what happens with the health situation as we get closer to Christmas,” Northaven said.
“We planned a big 45th anniversary sale this summer, but Covid kind of made all of those plans go screeching sideways. This money is going to allow us to ensure we’re here another 45 years.”
Aaron Staeben, an occupational therapist and owner of Peak Performance Therapy Center, 519 Eureka Way, said the city grant “is a huge deal” to help with operating costs.
“The health industry for the next few months is going to be pretty dismal,” he said.
With insurers paying businesses like his now after seeing clients in recent months, he’s concerned about payments coming this summer after they saw a smaller number of clients during COVID-19 related closures.
Staeben said his essential business remained open and his 18 employees including himself remained working.
“Just knowing that we have a little bit more cushion, it’s a good chunk of money … it’s going to help us survive the summer,” he said.
His customers have been happy they’ve been open, he said, because their pain doesn’t go away.
“Every protective thing I’ve put in place there’s been little push back,” Staeben said.
“I think everyone values this facility. Our patients are really behind us.”
Marcella Stachurski of Cedarbrook Lavender & Herb Farm, 120 W. Washington St., is another city grant recipient and simply said she is appreciative of the local support.
Following up
Scalf said chamber representatives have followed up with grant applicants to answer questions and clarify points in their applications.
By taking a grant, they’ll enter into a contract with the chamber to make sure funds are being used correctly working with a small business advisor.
Donations to the chamber’s fund can be mailed to: Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: Sequim Small Business Relief Fund, P.O Box 907, Sequim WA 98382.
With question about making a donation, contact the chamber’s financial administrator at office@sequimchamber.com or 360-683-6197.
Previously, Sequim City Manager Charlie Bush said the City Council could revisit providing more funds later if needed. For more information about the Sequim City Council, 152 W. Cedar St., call 360-683-4139 or visit www.sequimwa.gov.
City of Sequim’s COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Relief Program grant recipients, as of June 9:
• QA Computer Services $3,000
• R&T Crystals $3,000
• Wind Rose Cellars $3,000
• Graham Corp. (Sequim Radio Shack) $4,000
• Lopez Construction $5,000
• The Big Elk Restaurant $5,000
• Fortune Star $5,000
• Mad Maggi’s $5,000
• Sequim Shoe Repair $5,000
• SportsFit Training Center $5,000
• Sonny’s Spaw $5,000
• Tedesco’s Italian Fresh $5,000
• Cedarbrook Herb & Lavender Farm $5,452
• Glamorous Salon $8,000
• Mariner Cafe $8,000
• The Master Locksmith $8,000
• Northwest Haircuts $8,000
• Skin Envy $8,000
• Clear Image $10,000
• Over the Fence $10,000
• Peak Performance Therapy $10,000
• Sequim Martial Arts $10,000
• Sunshine Cafe $10,000
• Nourish $15,000
• Oasis Bar and Grill $15,000
The Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Relief Fund also provided funds to Our Resilient Community Alliance (ORCA) and the Big Elk Restaurant.
