GRANT DESCRIPTION 

PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING

Due date for grant applications is November 26. Don’t wait, APPLY TODAY. If applications exceed the money available, grant awards will be made on a first-in/first-served basis.

Applications must be submitted by email to grants@columbiacountyoregon.com or hardcopies delivered to CET, PO Box 1653, St Helens, Oregon 97051 no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 26th, 2021.

The application can be completed in the PDF form or printed off and filled out – then scanned and returned. Photos of the documents and attachments cannot be accepted, only scans. Any photographed applications and attachments will be considered incomplete and will be ineligible.

Applications must be completed IN FULL, including signatures and initialing all items marked *Required, plus there are multiple attachments required. Time does not allow for follow-up on individual applications to request additional necessary information that has been left out, so please make sure applications are COMPLETE before scanning, attaching and returning them to CCET by November 26, 2021 via grants@columbiacountyoregon.com

To help ensure access to funds and help ensure that support is provided fairly and equitably, the Board of Commissioners encourages applications from any and all businesses and organizations that believe they are eligible, including members of historically underserved population groups (including, but not limited to, Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Indigenous, members of Tribes and women). Accordingly, Columbia County is implementing its grant program so that it is accessible the following types of businesses, including 501(c)(3) non-profits:

1. Businesses with less than 100 employees
2. Businesses within rural areas
3. Businesses that identify as minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses
4. 501(c)(3) entities created by or primarily serving Black, Indigenous, Asian Pacific Islander and all other People of Color and/or women
5. Businesses directly restricted and impacted by state executive orders and restricted activity guidance under current Extreme Risk designation for Columbia County. This includes but is not limited to: Restaurants and bars, indoor and outdoor entertainment and other venues, athletic facilities, non-profits and more.

Grant applications will be reviewed and grouped according to size of business, based upon number of employees as of November, 2021 The business size levels are:

• 0 – 3 employees (includes owner not considered “employee”)
• 4 – 10 employees
• 11 – 25 employees
• 26 – 50 employees
• 50 or more employees

Non-profit organizations will provide average annual operating budgets.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is making a concerted effort to make this program simple and accessible. Applicants are asked to provide their number of employees for classification and evaluation purposes. (Non-profits will be classified by the size of their annual operating budget). If you claim more than 3 employees, please include/attach a copy of your Form 132 listing employees with social security numbers blacked out. If this documentation is not provided, it will be assumed that applicants have fewer than 3 employees.

These are minimum eligibility requirements; only one application may be made per business, and documentation will be required:

1. The business is headquartered in Oregon and has its primary physical location principal operations in Oregon.
2. If required by Oregon law to be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State to do business in Oregon, the business is so registered.
3. The business is either for-profit or an entity tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
4. The business incurred necessary expenditures or experienced a loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency during the period of between March 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021, as compared against the same period of time in 2019.

Businesses that have previously received Emergency Small business Grant fund or CARES (PPP & EIDLA) are eligible to apply, so are business or organizations that have previously received emergency grants in 2020 & 2021.

The following businesses are ineligible to apply for or receive funding under the Program:

1. Passive real estate holding companies and entities holding passive investments.
2. Non-profit entities that do not have federal 501(c)(3) status.
3. Businesses that experience a decline in revenues for reasons other than those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. seasonal or cyclical businesses cycles).
4. Businesses that are delinquent on federal, state or local taxes that were due on or before the date of application.
5. Businesses that do not comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
6. Businesses that have closed and do not intend to reopen.

If you know you are ineligible or if your business has not been severely adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic and economic disruption, please do not apply, so that others in greater need have access to more funds.