2020-06-02 Coronavirus Relief Funding workshopCoronavirus Relief Funding workshop
June 2, 2020
4:01 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper (remotely), Commissioner Fund (remotely), Commissioner Jackson,
County Manager Erik Martin, Becky Butler, Arny Davis, Suzette Smith (remotely), Matt Matayoshi, Larry
McGee, Tamara Hayes
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Tamara Hayes reviewed results from a recent business survey.
Matt Matayoshi said the EDC received 160 applications over three days and had fewer than 20 grants to
provide.
Larry McGee provided wifi updates:
• Packwood will have service by year’s end
• Mossyrock will have service by year’s end
• Morton will have service by 2021
• Centurylink is installing service in Pe Ell
Steve Wohld said he has asked a wire-to-wire service provider how many unserved or underserved
households per district could get point-to-point wireless service if the county distributed $50,000 per
district.
Commissioner Fund and Commissioner Stamper expressed concern about using the funding by the Oct.
31 deadline.
The commissioners discussed possibly setting aside $150,000 and to further explore the possibility of
point-to-point wireless. Commissioner Fund stressed the need to include the PUD and Toledo Tel’s Dale
Merten in conversations. Becky said she would look into procurement guidelines.
The group discussed providing support for:
• Rental assistance
• Utility assistance
• PPE
• Sanitation
Tamara Hayes said she will develop a list of what PPE is available, the basis for possible rent / mortgage
grants.
Larry McGee said Lewis County Together has the following:
• 15,000 masks
• 480 refillable bottles of hand sanitizer
• 380 small bottles of hand sanitizers
Treasurer Arny Davis said businesses that have received a Payroll Protection Loan should not be
excluded from potential county grants.
Tamara left at 4:54 p.m.
Commissioner Stamper said he feels the county should be looking at other organizations – the East
County Chamber of Commerce, the Chehalis-Centralia Chamber of Commerce, the CCRT and others – if
they ask for support.
Larry McGee said he hopes the county will set aside:
• $150,000 for wifi
• $50,000 for sanitizer and masks
Becky said the county should contract directly with any other groups separate from the EDC funding if
the county decides to provide funding to any of the other nonprofits.
Deliverables for the group’s next meeting:
• Information about point-to-point broadband
• Draft contract / MOU with EDC
• Draft grant application
• Review PPE needs.
Meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.