Business License Reserve Fund

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The 2025 application period for this program is closed. We will reopen the program in the fall of 2025.

Purpose

The purpose of the Business License Reserve Fund is to promote business activities that support core development, tourism, general economic development, and prevention of blight. The City reserves 18% of its business license revenue for reinvestment into programs that benefit Richland businesses. The program awards funding to eligible organizations annually for projects to be completed for or within Richland in the award year.

Eligibility

Eligible entities for funding include the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tri-Cities, City Business Improvement Districts (Uptown BID and Downtown BID - The Parkway), Richland Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Council of Washington and SCORE of the Mid-Columbia.

Other individuals and organizations deemed eligible by the Economic Development Committee may apply for funds with a specific program. Click here for Program Guidelines

Getting Paid

Grant recipients may submit reimbursement requests anytime during the award year, but must be submit final payment requests no later than December 31st of the award year.

Click here for the Reimbursement Request Form

Additional qualifications and requirements are detailed within the application, and in RMC 5.04.385-386.

FAQs

What is Business License Reserve?

The Business License Reserve is created from the $40 business license fee that all businesses pay when they register a business in the City.
When is the application period?

The applications are made available the beginning of November via the website. The application period closes on December 30.
Do BLRF Funds come from taxes?

No. This fund is replenished annually with 18% of the business license fees paid for business licenses in the City of Richland from the prior year. This also explains why amount available varies slightly.
What can the funds be used for?

Funds are to be used for core development, general economic development, prevention of blight within the City, tourism, capital expenditures and general improvements. The basis for the fund is to support projects that benefit small business in Richland.

Examples of projects that have met the funding requirements in the past include but are not limited to; pubic art, ADA improvements, benches and lighting in the business improvement districts, tourism campaigns, John Dam Plaza improvements, and farmer’s market enhancements.
Who decides how the money is spent?

The applications are reviewed by staff for eligibility and completeness. Once they are accepted, they go to the Economic Development Committee (EDC) who hears presentations from each applicant. The committee will deliberate and make a recommendation to City Council. City Council will make the final award decisions.
When was the fund established?

The Business License Reserve Fund was originally created by ordinance in 1990 and has been revised twice since, in 1991 and again in 2019.

More FAQs

2024 Awards

Commercial Façade Improvement Program - $66,580 in matching funds to reduce blight and defray the cost of façade, and energy efficiency improvements to the exterior of Richland businesses. Businesses may qualify for up to $20,000 per project.
Business District Revitalization - $10,000 to support renewal and revitalization projects in the Uptown and Downtown (Parkway) Business Improvement Districts.
Uptown Business Improvement District - $20,700 to support events and marketing for the business district.
Visit Tri-Cities in partnership with WSU - $10,000 to provide scholarships for Richland businesses and employees of Richland based businesses for the Workforce Development Certificate program.
Downtown Business Improvement District - $12,700 to support marketing and maintenance projects in the district.

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