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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Sheri, the link doesn’t work to the Program Description and application materials.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>STUART Sheri * OPRD via OMS_MANAGERS<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 11, 2020 8:19 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers@listsmart.osl.state.or.us><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [OMS_MANAGERS] FW: NEWS RELEASE // Business Oregon Launches $10 million Grant Program for Local Communities to Support Small Businesses...<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt:.75pt"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:white">Today, Business Oregon released the latest of the state’s recovery efforts for Oregon small businesses suffering in the wake of the
COVID-19 pandemic, a round of funding to stand up local small business grant programs across the state.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:0%"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";color:black"><a href="https://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/ct/14786/s-03c6-2005/Bct/q-004c/l-0007:27ce/ct0_0/1?sid=TV2%3ADjUtwgiie" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="600" height="111" style="width:6.25in;height:1.1562in" id="r-1406403" src="http://development.oregon4biz.com/cdnr/84/acton/cx/39c2/logo73.jpg" alt="Business Oregon logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<a name="B1440606249367"></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
<br>
May 8, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:150%"><a name="B1441820668325"></a><strong><span style="font-size:18.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Business Oregon Launches $10 million Grant Program for Local Communities
to Support Small Businesses Throughout Oregon </span></strong><span style="font-size:18.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Salem, OR — Today Business Oregon released the latest of the state's recovery efforts for Oregon small businesses suffering in the wake
of the COVID-19 pandemic, a round of funding to stand up local small business grant programs across the state. The Oregon Legislature, in partnership with Governor Kate Brown, allocated $5 million from the state’s General Fund, which will be combined with
another $5 million redirected from existing programs at Business Oregon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">For the first round of funding, Business Oregon is issuing a request for proposals from cities, counties, and Economic Development Districts that have existing small business COVID-relief programs or
will stand up new programs to issue grants to local small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, with an emphasis on sole proprietors and historically disadvantaged businesses. Many communities throughout Oregon are already providing local assistance to
small businesses, and this new state funding will bolster this community-level assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">"The funding from Governor Brown and the state legislature lets us implement a community-driven approach to help small businesses that haven't been able to access the federal programs," said Business
Oregon Interim Director Chris Cummings. "These funds are also intended to be equally accessible to all Oregonians, so we are requiring communities to target marketing of the funds to historically disadvantaged populations, provide materials in multiple languages,
and prioritize underrepresented groups as grant programs are rolled out. Many Oregonians have faced systemic barriers to prosperity because of race and ethnicity, and this pandemic has magnified that inequity."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">To fill gaps not reached by other programs, these state funds are directed to adversely affected businesses that have been unable to receive federal CARES Act funding, including the Small Business Administration's
Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance program, or other federal programs for emergency pandemic funding. Businesses may use the proceeds for any business-related operating expenses, including helping businesses work to
reopen in line with the Phase 1 reopening guidance announced by Governor Brown this week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">This announcement is for the first round of funding totaling $2.5 million, with a second round of $2.5 million coming immediately after, then a final round for the remaining $5 million will be announced
at a later date. Awards for this round of funds will be based on a community program's ability to achieve the parameters, values, and goals of the program. This round is designed for communities that can get the money out quickly, requiring all funds to be
expended to small businesses by June 30th, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">A full description of the program details and application requirements
<a href="https://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/ct/14786/s-03c6-2005/Bct/q-004c/l-0007:27ce/ct1_0/1?sid=TV2%3ADjUtwgiie" target="_blank" title="Funding Application Information">
<span style="color:#006699">is available here</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Proposals for this round of funding are due
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">due Monday, May 18, 2020 by 5:00 PM.
</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:22.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:150%">
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Media Contact </span>
</strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">: <a href="mailto:nathan.buehler@oregon.gov">
<span style="color:#006699">Nathan Buehler</span></a> // 503-689-3559<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<a name="B1440606673668"></a><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Business Oregon,</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> the state's economic development agency,
invests in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. The agency's services span rural community development and infrastructure financing; business retention, expansion and recruitment; export
promotion and international trade; investments in industry research and development and entrepreneurship; small business assistance; and support for arts and cultural organizations. Learn more at
<a href="https://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/ct/14786/s-03c6-2005/Bct/q-004c/l-0007:27ce/ct0_1/1?sid=TV2%3ADjUtwgiie">
<span style="color:#006699">www.oregon4biz.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Copyright © 2020 Business Oregon</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Our address is
</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#006699">775 Summer St NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301, USA</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">If you do not wish to receive future emails,
<a href="http://development.oregon4biz.com/acton/rif/14786/s-03c6-2005/-/l-0007:27ce/q-004c/zout?sid=TV2%3ADjUtwgiie">
<span style="color:#006699">update your preferences here</span></a>.</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">(You can also send your request to
<strong><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Customer Care</span></strong> at the street address above.)</span><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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