CASCADE LOCKS — The Port of Cascade Locks opened the application window for round three of its Economic Development Grant Program Oct. 1, offering a total of up to $150,000 in funding to Cascade Locks businesses, nonprofits, and government entities working to strengthen the local economy.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. Complete program guidelines, an application preview, a budget sheet template, and a list of required attachments are available now on the Port’s website at bit.ly/Round3POCLGrants.
Last year, the program won an Outstanding Special District Program award from the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO).
For this round, the Port Commission has set two priorities: downtown revitalization and job creation and retention. Grants are available through two tracks, with Small Grants of up to $10,000 requiring a 20% match (cash or in-kind) and Large Grants of $10,001 to $50,000 requiring a 20 percent cash match. Pre-development and feasibility work, capital construction, equipment purchases, and seasonal-to-year-round conversions are among the eligible project types.
Projects located in the Downtown Overlay Zone (the City of Cascade Locks’ downtown revitalization boundary) that return long-vacant commercial space to active use are eligible for the program’s highest downtown-impact score, though projects outside the zone remain fully eligible to apply. Construction projects receive up to 18 months to complete work following a Notice to Proceed milestone, preceded by a 90-day grace period to secure permits, contractor quotes, and matching funds. Applications are reviewed and scored by the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) against a 37-point rubric, with awards recommended to the Port Commission for final approval at a public meeting.
Program guidelines, the application preview, budget sheet template, and attachments list can be downloaded from the Port’s Economic Development Grant Program web page. Prospective applicants with questions about the program or the application process are encouraged to email Port Deputy Executive Director Genevieve Scholl at gscholl@portofcascadelocks.gov.
Commented