By Mary Owen
Applications are now being accepted for Economic Development Grant funds allocated by Marion County. Grants up to $50,000 will be awarded from a fund provided to the county from Oregon Lottery proceeds, with the primary goal of assisting private-sector employers with job creation and retention.
“Because the funding is limited, the Economic Development board wanted to focus on local companies that are somewhat established,” said Don Russo, Economic Development manager. “There are business people in Marion County who are making the effort to grow. They are hard-working, strong, and do good work.”
The deadline for applications is Dec. 31. Applicants must demonstrate how they will meet the following criteria: retain or create jobs; expand an employer’s services or production; bring in additional sales revenue from outside of Marion County; and enhance the property tax base.
The grant program started when the Marion County Board of Commissioners formed the Economic Development Board in 2003. The program was suspended when the recession hit Oregon and started up again this year with $130,000 awarded to four of 17 businesses that applied, Russo said.
“This is what these lottery dollars are for – to grow businesses and employ people,” said Patti Milne, the Marion County Commissioner that got the ball rolling on the grant program. She said the county commissioners take the advisory board’s advice in selecting what businesses receive the grants after those that meet the criteria go through a competitive process to score proposals. The board holds final decision-making authority.
Bill Cummins, chair of EDAB, said, “We believe economic development is critical to help retain and create jobs, increase revenue from outside sources, and improve the tax base for government schools. Our priority is to assist employers already based here to strengthen their businesses.”
Each year, Marion County receives 2.5 percent of the net revenues of the video lottery games played within the county to be targeted toward economic development.
“The grants are out there for folks to use,” said Jeff DeSantis, owner of Seven Brides Brewing Co. in Silverton. In the first round of grants awarded earlier this year, Seven Brides received a $15,000 grant for employee expansion and equipment.
“We increased our cooler size, enabling us to produce more beer,” he said. “We created outside sales positions, an event coordinator, and added staff in the brewery and at the tavern.”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the right kind of company,” said Allison McKenzie, executive director and entrepreneurial coach at GROW-EDC. “To have any grant available to businesses these days is significant. Anybody in the county gets to play. This doesn’t come along all the time.”
The grant application form and other materials are available at the Marion County website.
