Portland has offered grants to businesses struggling to stay afloat. Portland City Council allocated Prosper Portland to give out $15 million in help from the CARE’s Act to businesses. Most of that money was given out to restaurants and bars, along with child care and personal services.
Portland Bureau of Transportation also gave out millions to help businesses serve customs through their Healthy Business Program.
“In total, the program costs PBOT approximately $3.5 million per year. The operational costs are about $2.5 million a year, which includes staff time for processing applications and traffic reviews for each location, as well as material costs for traffic control devices, like delineators and signage, and overhead. The program also displaces parking spaces that typically generate between $1 million to $1.3 million in annual revenue.”
Shawn Ulhman with Prosper Portland says there is still money available for businesses in need of repair. As far as whether more money will be available, he says that depends on the City Council. “If the program is going to continue beyond June of this coming year, 2022, then we would need to go back and ask for additional funding,” Ulhman said.
Despite the assistance, though, Sources say, “There’s been a lot of efforts with the city and state and the federal government to support businesses, and yet it never feels like quite enough,” they said. “That’s why that constant communication depending on the urgent need is so important.” The city’s budget for the next year does not show any money set aside specifically for business grants, but the mayor’s office says they have a plan.
