NW Washington News

More money will be available for Washington businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it comes as restrictions aimed to slow the spread of the virus were extended through the New Year.

The state plans to provide $50 million to businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 through a program called Working Washington.

Gov. Jay Inslee said in a Dec. 8 Medium post that the restrictions would remain in place for another three weeks, set to expire on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

“What we do between now — when COVID activity is still at crisis levels — and the time when vaccines are widely available, is literally a matter of life and death,” Inslee said in his post.

Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown said this round of funding doubles the amount that received help earlier during the pandemic.

“The needs among our small businesses are profound, and speed is of the essence,” Brown said in the Medium post. “As we battle the toughest months of this pandemic, we need Congress to step up so we can support our businesses and workers as we continue asking them to do these hard things.”