Grant funding goes to King County hospitality businesses

The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to 1,493 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. The grant funding was authorized by the Washington Legislature in 2022, by the passage of ESSB 5693, funding provided through the Washington Hospitality Grant program.

While the COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic impacts to businesses across many sectors, according to the Dept. of Commerce, the hospitality industry was hit particularly hard with continued operational challenges making it difficult for many restaurants, hotels and small hospitality businesses to fully recover.

The Dept. of Commerce reportedly provided every eligible business that applied with a grant. Some the businesses that were awarded grants in King County include:

• $57,164.15 to Kent Bowl at 1234 Central Ave. N. in Kent

• $123,638.84 to Gator’s Sports Bar & Grill at 21609 84th Ave. S. in Kent

• $33,305.25 to Conundroom at 16261 Redmond Way in Redmond

• $48,675.32 to J. Michaels Pub and Eatery at 15770 Redmond Way in Redmond

• $12,317.92 to Empire Billiard at 15230 NE. 24th St. in Redmond

• $117,267.65 to Cafe Pacific Catering based in Auburn

• $74,310.41 to Rain City Catering based in Renton

• $126,135.01 to the Local 907 on 3rd St. in Downtown Renton

• $121,036.86 to Melrose Grill at 819 Houser Way S. in Renton

• $102,497.70 to Doofers Bar & Grill at 16430 SE. 128th St. in Renton

• $15,909 to JP’s Tavern at 32925 1st Ave. S. in Federal Way

• $132,192.80 to Azteca Mexican Restaurant at 2020 S. 320th St. in Federal Way

• $111,103.87 to Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse at 34902 Pacific Highway S. in Federal Way

• $43,607.21 to Central Tavern at 124 Kirkland Ave. in Kirkland

• $171,422.76 to Japonessa Sushi Cocina at 500 Bellevue Way NE. in Bellevue.

• $162,400.51 to Lil Jon Restaurant and Lounge at 3080 148th Ave. SE. in Bellevue

• $162,400.51 to Wild Ginger at Lincoln Square South in Bellevue

• $162,400.51 to Ascend Prime Steak and Sushi at 10400 NE 4th St. in Bellevue

The full list includes dozens of other King County businesses. For more information visit https://batchgeo.com/map/eb421528a82acf47455242afaac78468

“Many small businesses are family owned, providing a key pathway to building generational wealth,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “Today, even as pressure from the direct financial impact of the pandemic is easing, small business owners are faced with ongoing obstacles as they adapt to new business models and uncertainties around workforce, supply chain disruptions, and other challenging economic conditions.”