Neighbors, these small grants are ideal for many of the projects that are brought to OKNA to co-
sponsor.
There are a couple of mandatory meetings coming up for interested applicants; be sure to check the PDC webpage if you’d like to use less than $50,000 to beautify or improve something in Overlook.
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) will have funds available in fiscal year 2012-13 for community livability projects in both the Lents Town Center and Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Areas. PDC’s Community Livability Grant Program began in the Interstate Corridor URA in 2006, expanded to the Lents Town Center URA in 2010, and has awarded $2.2 million to more than 51 projects that improve livability for residents and enhance the unique nature of the Interstate Corridor and Lents Town Center neighborhoods.
The Portland Development Commission is dedicated to and promotes diversity in contracting on the projects and programs that it supports or funds. This year applicants for the Community Livability Grant program will be required to solicit bids for a minimum of 20% of the project budgeted construction costs from State of Oregon certified Minority-Owned, or Women-Owned, or Emerging Small Businesses (M/W/ESBs). Examples of work completed with Community Livability Grant funds are: new roofs; exterior paint; kitchen and bathroom remodels; window upgrades; electrical and HVAC upgrades; community gardens; ADA ramps; new flooring; and energy efficient and sustainable improvements such as solar panels, geothermal heating and a water cistern.
The grants support a wide variety of community benefits: historic preservation, open spaces and gardens, community and cultural centers, social services, job training, and the growth of local businesses. The work is not always visible to those passing by, but these critical investments support each organization’s ability to serve the community.
Up to $300,000 in Community Livability grants will be awarded in the coming fiscal year in each of the two urban renewal areas subject to FY 12-13 budget approval by the PDC Board. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business district associations and neighborhood groups. The typical grant award is less than $50,000.
For more information on the Community Livability Grant Program, visit www.pdc.us/CLG. For more information on PDC’s M/W/ESB goals contact: Patricia Weekley, Business and Workforce Equity Program, Portland Development Commission, 222 NW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97209, email: weekleyp@pdc.us, phone: 503-823-3309.