OTHELLO — The Adams County commissioners have authorized a third round of grant money to support small businesses and nonprofit groups, which will be distributed this week.

In the past two months, the commissioners have awarded $800,000 of CARES Act money to small businesses and nonprofits in Adams County, according to Janis Rountree, manager for the Adams County Development Council (ACDC), the organization in charge of distributing the grants.

In November, 31 small businesses and 36 non-profits received grants totaling $400,000. At the same time, ACDC was able to award an additional $110,000 to 12 businesses through the Working Washington Small Business Emergency grant program. The 12 businesses had not applied or received funds back in March when grants were first given.

“They thought they would be okay earlier in the year and have realized they were in trouble,” Rountree said.

The day Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee shut down restaurants and bars for a second time this year, the Adams County commissioners decided to make a third round of grants, totaling $400,000.

“The county commissioners said that we have to give businesses more money,” Rountree said. “Our small businesses are already struggling.”

This third round of grants was awarded based on the applications received during the first round of grants.

“This round was a surprise,” Rountree said. “The commissioners said to go back through applications from this year and start with those who got the least amount. I’ve been knocking on doors, giving them a Christmas present, basically.”

For some of the business owners, this surprise grant has been the funds they needed to keep the doors open another month

“Some have been brought to tears,” Rountree said. “They didn’t know how to pay rent. People are desperately afraid of losing their business. This last round of grants is giving people hope. At least they can pay rent and make it to January. It is bringing some positive energy back to everybody.”

In total, 34 nonprofits and 69 small businesses received money in the third round of grants. The City of Ritzville also donated $25,000 to be distributed in $5,000 amounts to five Ritzville businesses.

Overall, ACDC had distributed $1,170,648 to approximately 150 Adams County small businesses and nonprofits since the beginning of March.

Rountree said while she has been getting a lot of “thank yous” handing out the last round of grant checks, it is really Adams County commissioners who should get thanks.

“They care about their county and communities,” Rountree said. “Other cities and counties allocated their CARES Act money for other things. The commissioners focused on communities. They’re trying not to lose businesses.”