Business Oregon has made $10.75 million available through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act (CDBG-CV). These funds are available to counties and cities that are interested in providing assistance to low- and moderate-income residents impacted by the pandemic. Types of projects that have been funded to date include childcare assistance, food banks, rental assistance, and water line improvements.
The funds will be divided into three project types: small business/microenterprise assistance, impact assistance, and housing-related activities. These funds are accessible through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), found on Business Oregon’s website.
The Emergency Small Business and Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program can help counties and cities create programs to provide job training for workers or technical assistance, grants, and other financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The Emergency Housing Related Assistance Program can help counties and cities provide emergency housing assistance to families impacted by COVID-19. This would include assistance for past due rent, mortgage payments, utility (not water or wastewater) payments, and in some cases housing rehabilitation assistance.
The COVID-19 Impact Assistance Program has funds counties and cities can use to help mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on low- and moderate-income residents. This could include resources for food banks, childcare, broadband assistance, and public facilities or public services (including Project Turnkey operation grants).
Contributed by: Rena Schoen | Business Oregon CDBG Program and Policy Coordinator