CARES Act Funding

Discard Upcycling in partnership with Viking Sewing and Lane Workforce Partnership came together to launch Viking Textile Maker Hub (VTMH).  The hub offers a textile maker’s space, industrial sewing training, alterations, use of industrial sewing machines for textile craftsmanship, workforce training, and potential contract fulfillment. Additional machines to fit the specific needs of local manufacturers were purchased with a $15,000 grant.

OCWCOG is helping our communities recover from the economic shock of the COVID pandemic. We were able to fund a special project in each of our four counties.

The Siletz Public Library is an important community hub in Siletz.  The computer system was upgraded with a $7594 grant to provide better security and greater processing ability.   Additionally, six new laptops were purchased for classes and activity groups. The new system will be used by adults and youth for workforce support, accessing resources, completing schoolwork, taking college courses, conducting research, playing games, and staying in touch with family and friends.  Through technology services at the library, people are enabled to meet basic needs, enhance their skills, and find new opportunities, promoting resiliency, hopefulness and self-sufficiency.

OCWCOG is helping our communities recover from the economic shock of the COVID pandemic. We were able to fund a special project in each of our four counties.

Lane County received $9,875 to highlight each of their 10 rural cities unique qualities and strengths that can meet the changing needs of businesses, employees, and remote workers. This project will conduct visioning and asset mapping exercises and use that information to create professional marketing materials. These marketing efforts will help support rural communities’ efforts in building back better and creating a stronger, more resilient economic ecosystem.

Toledo and the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County (EDALC) received $2,950 for Oregon Prospector research and data entry. Oregon Prospector, managed by Business Oregon, is a robust mapping and property marketing tool, but currently, there are only two properties listed in Lincoln County. Commercial property for sale, buildings for lease, and buildable land inventory throughout the county will be listed on Oregon Prospector.

The City of Eugene received $5,400 to purchase equipment to ‘Zoom enable’ classrooms in the Innovation Hub at 942 Olive Street. The Innovation Hub houses entrepreneurial services in the Eugene area. Onward Eugene partnered with the Eugene Chamber of Commerce to support and build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in early 2020. The young organization had to quickly pivot in the pandemic and shift all its programs and outreach to a virtual environment.

Newport along with the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County (EDALC) received $4800 to develop a regional information tool on the web. This tool will allow multiple organizations to easily share their priority focus areas and active projects. EDALC hopes that once this tool is developed that it can be deployed to other communities through the Ford Family Foundation’s Community Website Partnership Program.

The Mid-Valley Partnership (MVP), consisting of Lebanon, Sweet Home, Philomath, Adair Village, Brownsville, Harrisburg, Monroe, and Halsey received $10,000 to define the geographic boundary, values, and goals for economic resiliency in the MVP region. A website will be created with new branding that unifies all eight cities committed to the partnership. The website will serve as a regional resource connecting local businesses to resources for recovery and expansion.

The City of Sweet Home received $10,000 toward their Streetscape Project. A public plaza, street furniture, signage, pedestrian lighting, public art, and landscaping will be added to create a vibrant downtown. Parking will be made uniform and easier. Additional outdoor spaces will allow more flexibility for local businesses by providing space for dining, pop-up markets, and public events. The total project cost will be $75,000.

Springfield received $10,000 to upgrade technology at the Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber provides vital training to local businesses, leadership workshops to employees and employers, and a variety of other programs. Local community partners hold meetings and trainings at the Chamber also. This grant will provide basic technology needed for in-person meetings and the option of hybrid events with more advanced technology.

The City of Coburg received $7,277 for commercial appliances. The lower floor of the historic IOOF Hall located in the downtown corridor of Coburg will be used as a gathering space for events, visitor’s center, office for Main Street staff, and to display artifacts. The remodeled commercial kitchen will enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem and community resiliency by providing a communal kitchen in the event of a disaster.

Cottage Grove received $10,000 to help fund the placement of a RARE member to assist with the implementation of the Cottage Grove Local Foods/Local Places Community Action Plan. Grant funding will also be used to fund the development of a website and media content highlighting food entrepreneurs in South Lane County. The RARE coordinator will work with diverse partners enhancing existing commercial kitchen spaces and building stronger supply chain connections for farmers.

The City of Monroe will create its first ever strategic 5-year Economic Development Plan. The plan will help to guide and maintain a strong and vibrant local economy through a thoughtful and tailored approach that will fit the rural setting. The grant will cover costs related to hiring a consultant to assist in the creation, decision-making, and implementation. These funds are vital to a small city with two staff members and a small operating budget. Achieving projects of this scale can only be done correctly with outside partnerships and support.

The large outdoor space on the Emporium property has been neglected and is in need of some improvements. Lighting, picnic tables and chairs will be added to create a pleasant environment. Decorations will embrace the history of the building as a former school reusing old desks and bicycles. Monthly art walks, music jams, yoga classes, and local food events are already booked. Visiting artists and art classes are currently being coordinated, including preparations for holiday and seasonal events.

The Toledo Mural project will promote economic resiliency by encouraging tourists and residents to experience all that Toledo has to offer. The funds will be used for a Mural project that engages community members, including youth and new artists, to create several larger murals in Toledo. In addition, the city will create a professional development pipeline for new artists by providing opportunities to create public art on vacant windows, utility boxes and other locations that can help artists stair-step into larger murals.

The Benton County Business Portal will be a comprehensive portal available in both English and Spanish providing tools and information relative to industry and city. Currently, this information is spread across many different websites and government departments making it difficult to find and access. The portal will provide business start-up information as well as links to disaster preparedness, hiring employees, and obtaining capital. In addition, the site will devote a section to listing available commercial property and buildable lands inventories.

 The Port of Newport received $10,000 to replace their financial system. Total cost of the project is $175,000. The Port needs to adapt and streamline its process to save time and money. A new financial system will allow the Port to properly cost and price each activity the Port performs. Accessing budget status and migrating from a paper system to a real-time inventory system will result in significant time savings.

Lebanon received $4,000 for the Annual Art Walk, an event that fuses downtown businesses and the art culture bringing locals and out-of-town visitors into Lebanon. The Art Walk jump-starts the downtown economy with popup galleries within businesses and performing artists in City parks. The Art Walk, held in November this year, creates opportunities for strengthening the economic recovery and resiliency of downtown Lebanon.

Florence received $10,000  for childcare provider equipment and supplies. Childcare providers in Florence may apply for funds up to $2,500 for necessary equipment or supplies such as new outdoor equipment, additional furniture, or technology  Safe and affordable care for children is paramount to a successful workforce and local business growth.

Harrisburg received $5,000 for the Taste of Tri-County and Business Expo event that rotates between 3 different cities and 3 different counties on an annual basis. This event improves collaboration between participating businesses as well as cities and is supportive of business These funds will allow the purchase of items that enhance the event and lower expenses for the event in the future.