[OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash

[Lise Grato]

Backlash to these wonderful opportunities for our towns is so disappointing!!

Jen - That’s great input!! We’ll be featuring the winning grant in our July newsletter. The article will also appear on our website and g out on our social media. For the 2022, 2023 and 2025 OMSRG cycles, we announced the opportunity, partner selections and the final results in a series of posts and articles. Our process was described with different depth in these articles and on our online application.

  *   2022 – Opportunity announcement<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-FINAL.pdf>      Partner selection<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-03-ADA-Mar-Newsletter-FINAL.pdf>           Winner Announcement<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2022-06-ADA-June-Newsletter-1.pdf>
  *   2023 – Opportunity announcement<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-2.pdf>      Partner selection<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-03-ADA-March-Newsletter.pdf>           Winner Announcement<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-06-ADA-June-Newsletter.pdf>
  *   2025 – Opportunity announcement<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2025-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-singles.pdf>      Partner selection<https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2025-02-ADA-Feb-Newsletter-single-1.pdf>            TBA


Shannon  -  I’m sorry to hear about this reaction to an amazing program. It makes me feel lucky that so far, we haven’t seen these types of responses to the four OMSRG grants we have received in Albany in the past four years. There is always someone who’s not happy and in today’s world of social media they have an easy platform to share their negativity.

I have been involved in media for over 30 years – working in editorial and advertising at newspapers, direct-mail, TV and specialty publications as well supplying content and media releases.  I’m happy to look at what is being said and see if there’s anything specific that you might want to address in your public education plan. I’d also be interest to see the statement on your grant selection process.

You’re not alone in facing negative publicity. A few years ago, ADA dealt with a non-grant-related media issue. In addition to the social media chaos, a libelous front-page newspaper article falsely accused the ADA and a board member of trying to shut down a downtown business we had actually worked to support. At the time, our attorney shared a helpful quote from George Bernard Shaw: “Never wrestle with a pig because you’ll both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” We held our tongue, community supporters posted supportive comments, and now it’s safely in the rearview mirror.

Do you have a media policy? It can be simple but should include who in your organization is allowed to speak on behalf of the organization. Who can respond to media inquiries and social media comments. What post comments you hide and which you delete.

Thank you,

Lise Grato
Executive Director

Albany Downtown Association
126 Ferry Street SW
Albany, OR 97321
www.albanydowntown.com<http://www.albanydowntown.com/>
W: (541) 928-2469
C: (541) 905-2908


Thanks,

Lise
C: (541) 905-2908

From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of President DCO
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:22 AM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash

We're going to be holding a public meeting to allow people to ask questions about the grant itself- letting folks know it's not a one time thing, that it requires a match, etc... And allowing our recipient to address any concerns or what have you that people might have.
We're hoping this gives people the information they need to understand the grants and also gets them excited for future projects. We are also asking our recipient, because it's our first time doing the grant, to talk about his experiences helping put it together.
I find putting a positive spin and giving people more information is a great way to alleviate the haters.

Jen Waters
President
Downtown Corvallis Org.
541-250-1707
[https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zHF6hgaa3xfxxztOGjKNXLiG0ZIsZAqPfeY-eHMcp8j_MI0eUCnAFUlRjJOZUWDtvMAUuRs90hwL35]<https://downtown-corvallis.org/>

On Sat, Jun 14, 2025, 9:23 AM Shannon Suhr <shannonbsuhr at gmail.com<mailto:shannonbsuhr at gmail.com>> wrote:
Hello Everyone,

One of our businesses who was awarded the revitalization grant has received comments from a customer questioning if they still needed their support "now that they will be getting all that money." The business owner is understandably upset because of this and because of social media comments questioning why other, more distressed buildings on Main Street were not chosen.

We are planning on releasing a statement explaining the grant process, but are there any other suggestions on how to handle this from a PR perspective?

We are a newer group and would appreciate hearing how other communities addressed these issues.

Thanks!
Shannon Suhr
Canyonville Main Street Association
Vice President
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