$14 million in ag relief awarded

OLYMPIA — More than $14 million in COVID-19 relief grants from the state Department of Agriculture were awarded to 839 businesses.

The four main sectors include agritourism farms, farmers’ market organizations, craft beverage producers, and shellfish organizations.

“These grants will boost the Washington state agricultural industry, helping prevent business closures and supporting the health and diversity of Washington State’s overall economy,” state agriculture Director Derek Sandison said. “Our economy needs the businesses in these four sectors to recover from the pandemic for the health of our economy as a whole.”

The farmers market sector normally generates an estimated $60 m illion in sales to small businesses.

Visitor spending in Washington dropped 47% last year, affecting many in the tourism industry including agritourism, officials said.