By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – The City of Sequim has once again been singled out by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) with the presentation of a Municipal Excellence Award for its Small Business Rapid Relief Grant Program for local businesses struggling during the pandemic.
The awards were given to five cities, out of 22 applications, for putting creative ideas to use for their communities.
Funded mainly through a $1.8 million rainy-day account, the program enabled the city to award over $500,000 in grants to 58 local businesses.
The decision of who would get the grants was made by the Executive Board of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce. The City of Sequim cut the check, but it was the Chamber Board that processed the applications.
Councilor Tom Ferrell was also on the decision-making board, and shared his thoughts on the program in a written statement to KONP, saying, “I was pleasantly surprised when Charlie Bush and team brought up the potential for rainy day fund usage to help small businesses survive the pandemic.
With great confidence in the analysis from the City Manager, the Assistant City Manager, the Chief Financial Officer, the City Attorney, et al., the Council approved the program. I am astounded that a government could move from concept-to-action so quickly.”
Cities will be recognized at AWC’s Annual Conference online this June.