[OMS_MANAGERS] FW: Update on Additional Business Funding through Business Oregon

Thu Nov 19 19:05:34 PST 2020

Just to be clear, I don't work for Business Oregon. I'm one of the dozens
of "intermediaries" who administered grants in our regions, using funding
and program requirements provided by Business Oregon. So, I didn't actually
have anything to do with this latest round, which was only open for 22
min... I was just hoping to reflect a bit of the struggle of finding the
right pathway forward, from the perspective of a tired project manager :)

On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 7:02 PM Director, Executive <
exec at newbergdowntown.org> wrote:

> Thank you Janet - please know this email discussion is in no way meant to
> slight the valiant effort Business Oregon puts into this. M sorry if it
> appeared that way.
>
> What if people had time to enter the data and get it right so when an
> application came in it was not incomplete? It seems one of the most useful
> things we in Main Street could do for our cities is assist in getting you
> properly filled out applications. Limiting the number of applications does
> not limit the need - so let’s get the need out there where we can see it.
> As money comes available applications can be updated as those who have not
> received assistance can be in the front of the line. We want to help not
> criticize!
>
> On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 6:53 PM Janel Ruehl <jruehl at coic.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> If I may, I'd like to add another perspective on the challenges of these
>> grant programs. I've served as a project manager for 3 rounds of Business
>> Oregon Grants in Central Oregon now, and one thing that I haven't heard
>> mentioned yet is the incredible amount of time and staff capacity it takes
>> to review applications. In our region, roughly 40% of all applications were
>> submitted incomplete. This necessitates dozens of hours of follow-up and
>> technical assistance to help walk applicants through the process to
>> completion. After this stage, Business Oregon requires a second round of
>> follow up paperwork to certify the application and collect required tax
>> documents. This also requires a lot of follow-up with business owners, and
>> extra paperwork for them!
>>
>> I think this may be one major motivator behind the first-come,
>> first-serve model: a desire to save business owners from doing a lot of
>> extra paperwork and staff from spending 3-4x the hours to follow up with
>> applicants and review applications. Clearly, there are inequities baked
>> into this model that could be solved with some upfront time and effort. In
>> Central Oregon, we took the time to translate everything and hire
>> Spanish-speaking staff to help with technical assistance, but this also
>> resulted in less overall money for our region, because it took us longer to
>> launch our program. However, leaving the application open for weeks or
>> longer could result in hundreds of additional applications which will all
>> need to be reviewed while only a small subset will receive funding. As I'm
>> sure almost everyone here is aware, Business Oregon disallowed *any*
>> administrative costs for the first 3 rounds of the grant program, so
>> administrators were literally doing all of this as volunteers, or dipping
>> into other resources, programs, or reserves to provide these grants. We all
>> did it anyway because we care deeply about our businesses!
>>
>> Just some food for thought, that I hope might contribute to this
>> discussion in a positive way.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Janel
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 4:49 PM Dan Fleishman <
>> dfleishman at ci.stayton.or.us> wrote:
>>
>>> Following up on the post from Sheri regarding the funding going to the
>>> counties to distribute, here an email I just fired off to Marion Co’s
>>> economic development director.  (I’ve stripped out the addresses of the
>>> recipients) You may wish to send a similar one to your counties’ folks…
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dan Fleishman
>>>
>>> Planning and Development Director
>>>
>>> City of Stayton
>>>
>>> 362 N Third Avenue
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Stayton, OR 97383
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Ph
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> 503
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> -769-2998
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> www.staytonoregon.gov
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am working from home for the
>>> foreseeable future.  You may reach me by phone at 541-207-2558.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* Dan Fleishman
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 19, 2020 4:45 PM
>>> *To:*
>>> *Cc:*
>>> *Subject:* FW: [OMS_MANAGERS] Update on Additional Business Funding
>>> through Business Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jason,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> To follow up on your email Tuesday, that was not a draft but I had
>>> copied you on the email I sent bcc to all of the businesses in Stayton for
>>> whom I have an email address.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Also on Tuesday, the state announced an additional $20 million in
>>> business assistance funds that is going to be distributed directly by
>>> Business Oregon.  The application period for those funds opened at 3:00 pm
>>> this afternoon, was available on a first come, first granted basis and was
>>> snapped up in 22 minutes.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I know that Marion Co has not yet determined how the funds you will be
>>> receiving will be distributed.  I’m estimating that Marion County will
>>> receive a bit under $4 million of the $55 million allocated by the state.
>>> My purpose in writing is to urge you to *not *use a first come, first
>>> serve basis.  As you can see from the emails below (on the statewide Main
>>> Street list serve) doing so means only those who can log on and fill out
>>> their form in the first couple of minutes will be able to take advantage of
>>> the opportunity, leaving those who are actively working, don’t check their
>>> email on their phone, or are otherwise in need but two minutes late out of
>>> luck.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As you figure out the method of distributing the funds to Marion Co
>>> businesses, please provide an application window of at least 24 hours.
>>> Rather than cutting off the applications when the allocation has been
>>> asked, as the state did, allow additional applications during the
>>> application period and provide a selection methodology (even a random
>>> selection is more fair than first come first serve).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I rarely (don’t think I ever have) include the Commissioners in this
>>> type of correspondence.  I have done so this afternoon, feeling the
>>> importance of this issue.  Hope you don’t mind my “going over your head.”
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best -
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dan Fleishman
>>>
>>> Planning and Development Director
>>>
>>> City of Stayton
>>>
>>> 362 N Third Avenue
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Stayton, OR 97383
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Ph
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> 503
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/362+N+Third+Avenue+%0D%0A+Stayton,+OR+97383+%0D%0A+%C2%A0+%0D%0A+Ph%0D%0A+503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>> -769-2998
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> www.staytonoregon.gov
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am working from home for the
>>> foreseeable future.  You may reach me by phone at 541-207-2558.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* OMS_MANAGERS [mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov
>>> <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>] *On Behalf Of *Kevin Teater
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 19, 2020 3:44 PM
>>> *To:* Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Update on Additional Business Funding
>>> through Business Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The link was not posted before 3pm, at least not that I noticed. The
>>> page has definitely updated since I saw it around 2:30pm.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It's so frustrating to me because we have so many businesses who
>>> struggle with technology or who speak English as their non-primary language.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I don't know how a grant like this can be released and have it be a
>>> first-come, first-serve basis without. That automatically excludes a huge
>>> portion of our community from even being eligible. The inequity is
>>> infuriating. It feels like a lack of foresight.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Kevin Teater (he/him)
>>>
>>> Executive Director
>>>
>>> Beaverton Downtown Association
>>>
>>> www.downtownbeaverton.org
>>>
>>> PO Box 311
>>>
>>> Beaverton, OR 97005
>>>
>>> (503) 332-5419
>>> ------------------------------
>>>
>>> *From:* OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> on behalf
>>> of Todd Carpenter <toddecarpenter at gmail.com>
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 19, 2020 3:29 PM
>>> *To:* Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Update on Additional Business Funding
>>> through Business Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> yeah that was totally frustrating.  we didn't get in.  going to have to
>>> close if it gets extended longer than the two weeks
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 3:28 PM Emily Bradley <Emily at scdcinc.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> From Business Oregon South Coast RDO:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *“The portal is already been closed. $25M in asks in 22 minutes.”*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *--*
>>>
>>> *Emily Bradley*
>>>
>>> Economic Development Specialist | South Coast Development Council, Inc.
>>> <https://www.scdcinc.org/>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 2110 Newmark Ave.
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2110+Newmark+Ave.+%0D%0A+Coos+Bay,+OR+97420?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2110+Newmark+Ave.+%0D%0A+Coos+Bay,+OR+97420?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> Coos Bay, OR 97420
>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2110+Newmark+Ave.+%0D%0A+Coos+Bay,+OR+97420?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>
>>> 541-888-7003 | emily at scdcinc.org
>>>
>>> https://www.scdcinc.org/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [image: cid:175e2d7154f9374b62]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> *On Behalf
>>> Of *Todd Carpenter
>>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 19, 2020 3:26 PM
>>> *To:* STUART Sheri * OPRD <Sheri.Stuart at oregon.gov>; Oregon Main Street
>>> program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Update on Additional Business Funding
>>> through Business Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> wow...  it says it's closed already :(  22 minutes?  or did it even open?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> *Janel Ruehl*
>> *she/her/hers*
>>
>> *Program Administrator*
>> Community & Economic Development
>> Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
>>  Office: (541) 548-9527
>> Cell: (503) 740.8625
>> jruehl at coic.org
>>
>>
>>

-- 
*Janel Ruehl*
*she/her/hers*

*Program Administrator*
Community & Economic Development
Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
 Office: (541) 548-9527
Cell: (503) 740.8625
jruehl at coic.org
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