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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Backlash to these wonderful opportunities for our towns is so disappointing!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Jen</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> - 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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2022 –
<a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-FINAL.pdf">
Opportunity announcement</a> <a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-03-ADA-Mar-Newsletter-FINAL.pdf">
Partner selection</a> <a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2022-06-ADA-June-Newsletter-1.pdf">
Winner Announcement</a><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2023 –
<a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-2.pdf">
Opportunity announcement</a> <a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-03-ADA-March-Newsletter.pdf">
Partner selection</a> <a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2023-06-ADA-June-Newsletter.pdf">
Winner Announcement</a><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">2025 –
<a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2025-01-ADA-Jan-Newsletter-singles.pdf">
Opportunity announcement</a> <a href="https://albanydowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2025-02-ADA-Feb-Newsletter-single-1.pdf">
Partner selection</a> TBA<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Shannon</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> -
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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 </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">supportive
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">comments, and now it’s safely in the rearview mirror.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Lise Grato<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Albany Downtown Association<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">126 Ferry Street SW<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Albany, OR 97321<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="http://www.albanydowntown.com/"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.albanydowntown.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">W: (541) 928-2469<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">C: (541) 905-2908<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Lise<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">C: (541) 905-2908<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces@omls.oregon.gov>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>President DCO<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers@omls.oregon.gov><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Revitalization Grant Backlash<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I find putting a positive spin and giving people more information is a great way to alleviate the haters.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222">Jen Waters</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222">President<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222">Downtown Corvallis Org.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222">541-250-1707<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://downtown-corvallis.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155CC;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="96" height="96" style="width:1.0in;height:1.0in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zHF6hgaa3xfxxztOGjKNXLiG0ZIsZAqPfeY-eHMcp8j_MI0eUCnAFUlRjJOZUWDtvMAUuRs90hwL35"></span></a><span style="color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Sat, Jun 14, 2025, 9:23<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>AM Shannon Suhr <<a href="mailto:shannonbsuhr@gmail.com" target="_blank">shannonbsuhr@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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?
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We are a newer group and would appreciate hearing how other communities addressed these issues.
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks!<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Shannon Suhr<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Canyonville Main Street Association<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Vice President<o:p></o:p></p>
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