The Bellingham Business Journal

June 30 marks the cutoff for businesses to apply for two funding-assistance measures: Rural Energy for America Program grants, and tax deferrals and waivers offered through the Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver Program.

As of July 1, Whatcom County businesses will no longer be eligible to apply for the Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver Program. The program offers deferrals of sales and use taxes on qualified construction and equipment costs for manufacturing businesses, computer-related businesses, and to those involved in research and development, and commercial testing.

Businesses planning to expand facilities, start new construction, or purchase equipment, must apply by June 30 to take advantage of the soon-to-expire program.

Whatcom County businesses also have until June 30 to apply for this year’s round of Rural Energy for America Program grants, which are distributed to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements.

Eligible projects include installing renewable energy systems such as wind turbines, solar, geothermal, biomass, anaerobic digesters, hydroelectric, and ocean or hydrogen systems. Funding may also be used to purchase energy-efficient equipment, add insulation, and improve heating and cooling systems.

Interested applicants should contact Sharon Exley by calling (360) 428-4322, extension 159 or by e-mailing sharon.exley@wa.usda.gov.

For more information on the Sales & Use Tax Deferral/Waiver Program contact the Special Programs Division of the Washington State Department of Revenue at (360) 570-3265, option 6.