The City of Yakima has dedicated $266,406 for a second round of assistance for micro-businesses (five or fewer employees) for reimbursement of expenses related to COVID-19. The money is available for low or moderate-income business owners, again with five employees or less, located within the Yakima city limits.

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16^th, the City Council formally agreed to have the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) assist with the application process.

The application will open Friday, February 19^th, and can be accessed at www.ChooseYakimaValley.com. When applicants complete the online portion, they will be prompted to schedule a time to meet with YCDA staff to finish the application and provide their documentation.

The application deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, March 5^th. YCDA will contact applicants on Friday, March 19^th, to notify them of their status.

The money comes from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a Federal program intended to expand economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons.

In July 2020, the Yakima City Council set aside $480,000 in CDBG funds to assist micro-businesses with expenses associated with COVID-19. YCDA assisted the City in administering that application process, as well.

Call 575-1140 or visit Yakima County Development Association | Choose Yakima Valley for more about YCDA.

Click https://www.yakimawa.gov/ for more about the City of Yakima and its response to COVID-19.