Columbia Pacific Economic Development District has received two grants, $199,000 technical assistance funding and $499,000 loan funding, targeting small companies with storm damage and/or business interruption and those companies needing to "storm-proof" for future weather events. Over 80% of NW Oregon’s economy is small business, with relatively limited resources for recovering from significant weather events such as the severe December 2007 storm. Given the likelihood of future storm events, this funding will provide counseling on business recovery and loans to implement needed recovery or storm-proofing projects.
Col-Pac will be partnering with Clatsop Economic Development Resources (CEDR) in Clatsop County, the Economic Development Council of Tillamook County (EDCTC) and Columbia County to identify affected small businesses and work with them on providing technical assistance and/or loan funding. Technical assistance and loan funding will be available through June 2009.
"These two grants will significantly enhance NW Oregon’s business retention and expansion activities, and provide long-term self-sustainability to our regional economy," stated Mark Labhart, President of Col-Pac and Tillamook County Commissioner. Mark Simmons, Oregon Director for USDA added, "We are pleased that NW Oregon’s funding applications were successful as assisting small businesses is a core component of USDA’s Rural Development mission.
Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District includes Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and western Washington counties. Information about Col-Pac, its meetings, and its deliberations can be found at NWOregon.org.