COVID-19

Related Documents & Information (Last Modified July 28, 2020):

  1. Governor Inslee's Safe Start Changes - July 28, 2020 (PDF)
  2. Washington State COVID-19 Response - Essential business (PDF)
  3. Please Knock for Assistance
  4. Town COVID-19 Response Objectives (PDF)
  5. Resolution No. 2544 - Temporary Procedures re COVID-19 (PDF)
  6. PRESS RELEASE - Harbor Life Ring for COVID-19 (PDF)
  7. Harbor Life Ring Flyer (PDF)
  8. PressRelease-UtilityPayments-COVID
  9. US Senate Digest for COVID-19 Stimulus Package (PDF)

A Mayor’s Hope

We are facing a test. Our way of life here is being disrupted in ways that we have not experienced before. Our deeply social and cooperative activities are being challenged by an invisible threat that has given rise to unprecedented government regulations, shortages of some essential goods and personal fears for our own safety. Perhaps the biggest challenge many of us face is the disruption to our incomes and our local economy.

I remember the local social and economic upheavals after September 11, 2001 and the recession that followed, as well as the many years spent recovering from the Great Recession of 2008-13. Add to these the many personal stories of setbacks to health, wealth or housing.

What has given me the greatest hope at this time is how we have handled past challenges. Through the grace of enhanced volunteerism to the financial contributions from our highly philanthropic neighbors and creative service organizations, we have overcome many problems and created a stronger and more caring community.

Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant Program

Town to provide rent relief grant money to Friday Harbor businesses

Friday Harbor business owners are encouraged to apply to the Town for assistance with business rent and mortgage payments to be awarded through the Friday Harbor Business Rent Relief Grant Program.  Grant requests of up to $2000 per business will be funded with monies received from the state under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  Applicants with brick and mortar businesses within the town may seek reimbursement or direct payment of business rent or mortgage expenses incurred beginning March 1, 2020.  Applications must be received at Town Hall by July 29, 2020.


Deferred Utility Payments

The Town of Friday Harbor has announced that it will be extending the due date of monthly Town Utility Bills for an additional 30 days and has discontinued water shutoff for an indefinite period of time. The modification of billing due dates will extend the default date from 50 days after initial billing to 80 days from initial billing. These changes are prompted by the financial impacts expected from the COVID-19 virus.  Town staff is working on a deferred payment plan application for those customers whose financial status has been jeopardized by COVID-19. 

“The Town of Friday Harbor is committed to the financial health and safety of our community,” said Mayor Farhad Ghatan. “Our hope is that this will provide immediate relief for residential and commercial utility customers impacted by COVID-19.”

In addition to setting up payment plans, the Town encourages customers to seek eligibility for utility relief through the Family Resource Center application process and the Town’s Harbor Life Ring program.

Hotel Utility Assistance Grants

The Town of Friday Harbor has formalized a program to assist local Hotel, Motel, Inn, and Bed & Breakfast owners during the economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These organizations have for many years collected and paid lodging tax to the Town as required by Ordinance. While these organizations are facing fixed costs such as their water, sewer, refuse and storm bills, in addition to power, phone and internet, there appears to be limited revenue to be able to do so. Click HERE to check eligibility for this new program.