The Marion County Board of Commissioners meets Wednesday to consider approving a new flexible grant funding source for nonprofits, government agencies and businesses, available by invitation-only.
The Emergent Economic Opportunity Program is intended to provide a system for quick, one-time investments to cover flexible costs. The county has allocated $130,000 of lottery revenue for the program.
“Situations often develop over the course of the year that have a direct impact on the county’s economy and require nimble and flexible financing programs,” according to the agenda item.
Grants would be awarded based on funding availability and at commissioners’ discretion. The county expects to award grants up to $30,000 for operating expenses or other short-term costs, and up to $50,000 for long-term projects such as improving a property.
Commissioners will also consider adding about $86,000 to a contract with Vancouver-based consulting firm Maul Foster and Alongi, for excavation and disposal of sediment under both marinas at Detroit Lake. The new contract would total about $185,000.
The board will also hear a presentation from the Salem Foundation, a charitable trust started in 1930 and run by Pioneer Trust Bank. Terry Hancock will discuss his work as the county’s board-appointed member of the Salem Foundation’s Distribution Committee..
The foundation has distributed over $3 million in grants, awards and scholarships between April 2020 and April 2021 in the Salem area.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.
