SPOKANE, Wash. — Big changes are coming to Spokane’s local business hubs.
Hillyard business owner Briana Musser says keeping local businesses afloat during the pandemic was hard.
“When you are a small business owner, you pour everything you have in it to make it work. It’s like ride or die,” she said.
Now, her neighborhood along with three others, is getting a makeover through the allocation of around $2.5 million in ARPA funds to ensure businesses can stay resilient no matter what changes they face in the future.
“This money would give them a huge boost,” said Darya Pilram, a fellow for the Economy Recovery Corps. “This is like a super boost.”
A super boost of $450,000 per district to be exact.
Pilram’s job is to help communities put federal funds to use.
“This funding should really be used to accelerate the efforts that these districts are already pursuing and give them pathways for sustainable growth and vitality,” she said.
Pilram said this opportunity is exciting because business districts are getting these funds at a time when they are starting to flourish.
For those like Musser, it gives her the tools for continued success.
“Economic times are hard, you know?” Musser said. “It would be nice to have some tools that we could use to get through those things.”
Businesses in Hillyard, Garland, North Monroe and South Perry will be able to apply for activation grants throughout the spring and summer months. The plan is to have projects completed by the end of 2026.
You can find more information on how to apply for these grants here.
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