Funding Resources for Oregon

Oregon Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Awards vary for publicly accessible or multifamily housing charging stations.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is offering cash incentive rebates to state and local governments and tribal entities for electric vehicle charging stations in publicly accessible parking areas and at multifamily housing units. A total of $1.75 million is available; maximum rebates per charging port vary by location up to $5,500. The requirements for installation vary for stations located in public parking areas and those in multifamily housing areas; a fact sheet clearly lays out the options. Rebates can be stacked with other incentives for electric vehicle charging stations. The program website offers upcoming information sessions, fact sheets, a list of qualifying charging stations, and other helpful information, or email a program contact at communitychargingrebates@odot.oregon.gov. Applications will be accepted starting in June.

Oregon Grants Fund Planning for Transportation, Growth Management, and Land Use Planning

Two grant programs fund efforts to plan for smart growth that improves communities.

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Oregon Department of Transportation are collaborating on two types of local-government grants: (1) transportation system planning and (2) integrated land use and transportation planning.

Transportation system planning grants help local governments develop and update required transportation system plans (TSPs) and implement measures, encourage the use of transit and active transportation modes, and reduce the use of state highways for local transportation.

Integrated land use and transportation planning grants help local governments bring together land use and transportation facility planning for efforts such as developing plans for uses in a specific area or municipality, planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and implementing measures and strategies such as code changes and fostering redevelopment.

Award amounts generally range from $125,000 to $250,000 and require a match of 14 percent. Pre-application packets on the program website also include the application guidelines. The application period will open in May 2023. For more information, visit the program website or contact Bill Holmstrom, DLCD, 971-375-5975, or Elizabeth Ledet, ODOT, at 503-986-3205.

Oregon to Receive $210 Million in Federal Funds for Semiconductor Industry

Clearing the way to once again get federal green to grow the Silicon Forest.

On April 13, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 4 into law so the state can begin receiving federal funding through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022. The bill creates a state fund that commits $190 million to support Oregon business as they apply for federal CHIPS and Science Act funding, allocates $10 million for local governments to allocate land for semiconductor industry sites, and funnels $10 million to public universities to access federal research grant money. The law is expected to go into effect by mid-September 2023.

Contact us below for help with grant application and strategy.

Business Oregon Offers Forgivable Loans for Brownfield Remediation

New resource targets private owners and operators of contaminated property.

Business Oregon’s new Brownfields Properties Revitalization Fund offers forgivable loans that can reimburse private owners and operators for up to half of remediation costs on eligible projects, or $250,000, whichever is less. Certain public benefit enhancements can each increase the amount of funding by $125,000, up to $500,000 or the total cost of remediation, whichever is less. Examples of enhancements include affordable housing (4+ units or 20%), development in a rural or distressed area, and meeting local needs for outdoor recreation and healthcare. A notice of proposed rulemaking is available at this website, and the establishing legislation is available here.

Oregon’s Innovative Mobility Program Offers Microgrants

Up to $5,000 grants are available on a rolling basis.

Oregon’s Department of Transportation is offering microgrants to support innovative mobility projects that improve access to public transportation and reduce car trips and greenhouse gases, especially for historically excluded or marginalized populations. Local governments, transit agencies, nonprofits, and businesses providing community services can apply for up to $5,000 on a rolling basis. Funded by the federal Infrastructure, Innovation and Jobs Act, the Innovative Mobility Program is a great way to fund everything from subsidized transit fares to electric scooter shares and safety training. Read more at this link. Looking for larger competitive grants to support innovative mobility programs? Keep an eye out—applications are expected to open in late 2023.

Get Rolling with ODOT’s Innovative Mobility Program

Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) Innovative Mobility Program offers $5,000 microgrants that are available on a rolling basis to help improve public transportation, reduce car trips, and limit greenhouse gas emissions with the twin goal of improving transportation equity so that everyone can move around safely and with lower cost. Tribes, state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, business providing community services, metropolitan planning associations and transportation management associations are all eligible to apply, and organizations are limited to two grants in a 12-month period.

Don’t wait! Get rolling and apply today!

Look Ahead: Oregon Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

Did you know that Oregon’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) accepts applications for loans twice a year, with application periods closing September 15 and March 15? With the September deadline behind us, now is the time to look ahead to March. State revolving funds support improvements to safeguard public health and drinking water quality. With more funding opportunities because of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, now is a great time to consider applying. For more information, visit the program’s website.

Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Grants Applications Due July 28, 2022

Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program (TGM) grants are back! These competitive grants are available in two types:

• Category 1: Transportation System Planning, to provide a range of transportation choices and meet requirements of the Oregon Transportation Planning Rule
• Category 2: Integrated Land Use and Transportation Planning, to promote communities that meet the needs of all people to live, work, and move

A preapplication packet is not required but encouraged, and though preapplication packets were due March 31, the state will consider additional submissions on a rolling basis. Applications for TGM funds are due July 28, 2022.

Grants generally range between $100,000 and $250,000, with a 12 percent local match required. The program typically awards between $2 million and $2.5 million annually. Eligible applicants include local governments and Tribes.

New resource for rural communities

As part of the TGM program, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is offering a new service to support rural communities with populations smaller than 20,000 people and that are located outside a metropolitan planning organization. Support can focus on: (1) engaging transportation-disadvantaged, and/or traditionally underserved populations in transportation planning efforts; (2) prioritizing and providing project-level analysis to projects to provide transportation options that align with state and federal funding streams; (3) both. Support is available either as a grant (where the project is completed by the applicant on a reimbursable basis) or by DLCD-contracted project consultants.

To apply and learn more, visit this page.

DEQ Diesel Equipment Replacement, Retrofit, and Repower Grant Applications Due June 7, 2022

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering $8 million in grants this year to reduce diesel emissions. Private, public, and Tribal diesel equipment owners are eligible to apply for funding. Retrofitting, repowering, or replacing older, more polluting diesel equipment with cleaner alternative technologies is eligible if it measurably decreases diesel emissions in Oregon. Depending on the project type, equipment, and owner, grants may reimburse for 25 to 100 percent of project costs. Applications are due June 7, 2022, awards will be announced in August, and project funding becomes available January 15, 2023. The DEQ website provides additional Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grant Program information and a detailed grant program user guide.

Oregon Forgivable Loans for Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment

A new Oregon resource is available to support brownfield cleanup and redevelopment.

Established by the Oregon Legislature in 2021, the Oregon Brownfields Redevelopment Fund (BPRF) offers forgivable loans of up to $250,000 or 50 percent of eligible brownfield costs. Additional forgivable loan amounts of up to 25 percent of eligible costs (to a maximum award of $125,000) are available under certain circumstances, so that the total available under this program could be up to $500,000 and 100 percent of eligible costs. Funds can support demolition, solid waste and hazardous substances management, and more. Notably, unlike many brownfield revitalization funding programs, private sector entities are eligible to apply. Business Oregon is accepting inquiries for BPRF funding on a rolling basis.

For more information, check out this memo summarizing the program, and contact MFA senior planner Dan Eisenbeis.

Oregon Legislative Update

Oregon’s legislative session wrapped up June 26, and it was a big year for brownfields. Among other developments, the state legislature:

• Recapitalized the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund at its full requested level of $10 million.
• Made it possible to pursue insurance assets associated with dissolved companies that may have been responsible for environmental contamination (HB 2377).
• Created a new $5 million Oregon Brownfield Properties Revitalization Fund that will support cleanup grants in the form of forgivable loans to brownfield owners (HB 2518).

Oregon Prepares for Influx of Funding from American Rescue Plan, Dearth of Service Providers

Oregon is slated to receive $2.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The first half of the allocation ($1.3 billion) will arrive in May or June and will be distributed to local governments according to population. The League of Oregon Cities includes several great resources on the ARP and the allocation for all units of government in Oregon, including this useful spreadsheet.

Allocation highlights include:

• City of Portland: $217.8 million
• City of St. Helens: $2.8 million
• Josephine County: $16.97 million

The Oregon legislature is anticipating the influx of funding and is managing activities in advance as much as possible. For example, the legislature is keeping project-related bills open past the point where they would be expected to die due to a lack of funding.

Brownfield-related bills and budgets that may benefit include HB2518, which would direct $5 million to a new fund for forgivable loans to public and private entities for brownfield cleanup actions, and a recapitalization of the Brownfield Assistance Fund managed by Business Oregon. This could also result in some new and previously unconsidered programs, such as allocating seed capital for Brownfield Land Bank Authorities enabled via HB2734 in 2016.

Business Oregon and other industry groups have already raised warnings about the potential lack of available service providers to meet the demand anticipated to result from the influx of stimulus funding. This will include engineering, design, planning, construction management, and related services. Since this is already a perceived issue, an infrastructure bill much larger than the ARP may be imminent.

Apply for Small Business Technical Assistance Grants by July 17

The Oregon Emergency Board has allocated up to $3 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding for a competitive grant program. The program is administered by Business Oregon, which is accepting proposals from “culturally competent service providers for grants to extend and enhance the availability of technical assistance to underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, July 17.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and nonprofit trade associations, Chambers of Commerce, Community-Based Organizations, Economic Development Districts, and Small Business Development Centers that operate in areas the meet the state’s definition of “rural.”

To learn more and apply, visit www.oregon4biz.com/assets/docs/RFP/SmBizTAGrantAssistance-Announcement.pdf.

State Economists Predict Significant Budget Hits, Lengthy Recovery

Oregon’s Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) predicts the state budget will take a $2.7 billion hit in the current biennium and a $4.4 billion hit in the 2021-23 biennium. Economists say that, overall, Oregon will see a sharp downturn and that recovery will be gradual, taking years to return the state to its pre-coronavirus economic activity.

The OEA explains in its May report that, after an initial rebound from the lifting of social distancing restrictions, “growth will continue but at a relatively slow pace due to the uncertainty surrounding public health. Firms and households are expected to remain somewhat hesitant and only gradually test the waters. Once business and consumer confidence fully return following available medical treatment or the passing of the pandemic, stronger economic growth will resume, and the economy will fully recover.”

The OEA predicts a sharp recession shorter than the Great Recession because the economy was relatively healthy before the pandemic, and because the federal response “has been swifter and more targeted than in recent cycles.”

Read the entire report and view the OEA’s presentation to lawmakers.

Proposals Due May 18 for Emergency Business Assistance Matching Funds | Emergency Board Receiving and Distributing CARES Act Funding | Temporary Law to Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic | Safe and Strong Oregon

Proposals Due May 18 for Emergency Business Assistance Matching Funds

Gov. Brown, the Oregon Legislature, and Business Oregon have partnered to provide $10 million in assistance to small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19-related economic conditions. Awards will be made to public entities (e.g., cities, counties, economic development districts, councils of governments) that have or will develop a business assistance program in response to the crisis and are able to meet funding program requirements.

Proposals are due to Business Oregon by 5 p.m. Friday, May 18. Among other requirements, a business must not have received federal emergency assistance under the federal CARES Act or other federal program for emergency pandemic funding.

This is the first of three rounds of funding tied to this program. This round consists of $2.5 million, available up to a one-to-one match to funds in community programs to provide emergency economic assistance to local small businesses. Program awards made to public entities will be structured as forgivable loans.

Click to learn more, including program requirements, application process, and Business Oregon contact information.

Emergency Board Receiving and Distributing CARES Act Funding

The Legislature’s Emergency Board is currently moving through a procedural step that will allow it to formally receive federal funding and allocate it to eligible activities. The Emergency Board, which has the power to allocate state funds when the Legislature is not in session, expects to have about $50 million to distribute in this round. Entities in Oregon that are eligible to receive direct federal funding, such as hospitals, cities with populations over 500,000, and small business lending agencies, have already received available allotments.

Temporary Law to Respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic

The Legislature has not met in a special session, but the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response has prepared Legislative Concept (LC) 29 to outline priority legislative actions to address the most urgent needs for Oregonians impacted by the global pandemic. The concept focuses on housing, food access, personal protective equipment, healthcare access, small businesses, utility assistance, court proceedings, and flexibility in local government processes. LC 29 does not include budget allocations. Read a summary of LC 29.

Safe and Strong Oregon

Gov. Brown’s plan to reopen Oregon relies on four key health metrics: a decline in new infections, availability of protective equipment for health care workers, enough hospital beds to treat victims of the disease, and sufficient testing and contact tracing.