Spokane area entrepreneurs are discussing restoration with Murray

Spokane area entrepreneurs met with U.S. Senator Patty Murray in a virtual roundtable on Tuesday to discuss concerns about the future economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

The plan, which went into effect earlier this month, provided additional financial relief of $ 50 billion for small businesses.

Greater Spokane Incorporated and its partners distributed nearly $ 30 million in CARES Act funds in the Spokane area last year in the Spokane area. Although the grants served more than 2,000 companies and nonprofits in the area, some are still struggling with the economic recovery, said Alisha Benson, chief executive officer of GSI.

“We are currently in discussions with our partners and our elected officials about what support can look like if we continue to recover from this pandemic,” she said. “With the American Rescue Plan funds, it is very important that our community is strategic and that we focus on how we invest these funds in our region. We want to be able to think about how we can target these investments to support the business world will recover over the long term. “

Lucky You Lounge owners Caleb and Karli Ingersoll said staying in business with live venues closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has been a challenge.

“It’s a huge drop in sales and we had to focus on just creating one restaurant, which was a secondary part of the business when we opened, so we didn’t really get a lot of sales from it,” said Caleb Ingersoll.

The Ingersolls received local and state grants to keep the Lucky You Lounge, 1801 W. Sunset Blvd., running.

However, their concern is the amount of debt that has been incurred during the pandemic without it being clear when the Lucky You Lounge will be 100% indoor again.

“We’re nervous about what the other side of it looks like and whether or not we can get enough business to pay the debt we have incurred,” said Ingersoll.

“So I think we look to the future with hope, but we have no idea what it will look like either. We will do our best to be economical with what we have and try to make wise decisions by doing so. “

Murray, a Democrat and a lead writer on the American bailout plan, said she would continue to advocate for business needs.

“I’m glad I heard directly from small business owners what worked and what didn’t,” said Murray. “Local stories like this will help me develop better guidelines when I return to the other Washington to make sure our families get the support they need.”