(NEWBERG, OREGON) – The City of Newberg has dedicated $100,000 from the General Fund to create a Business Emergency Relief Grant (BERG) Program. The purpose of the grant is to help businesses adversely affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019. The City is offering grants up to $2,500 per business for small local businesses to cover rent and mortgage costs.
Eligible businesses are ones that are located in the Newberg City Limits, employee 15 people or fewer, have a current Newberg business license that is in good standing, have operated for more than one year, and are locally-owned and not a franchise. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used to pay for mortgages of home occupations. Grants will be awarded based on eligibility with a portion of funds set aside specifically for minority and women owned businesses.
The program will launch April 7, 2020. The City is working with the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Newberg Downtown Coalition, and Unidos Bridging Communities to try and ensure a wide reach before the launch. The City wants qualifying businesses to have equal opportunity to apply and receive funds.
The City of Newberg values businesses and the local workforce and wants to help connect businesses to resources and information during the COVID-19 crisis. Along with the BERG Program, the City is also launching a program modeled after a similar one in Dayton, Oregon where residents can receive rebates on their utility bills by shopping at a local restaurant or business called “The Newberg Support Local Challenge.” The City will give residents a $15 credit on their utility bill for each $25 residents spend at a local restaurant or business. More information can be found at the City’s website: www.NewbergOregon.gov/SLC.
The City has also launched a website with resources for businesses which can be found at https://www.newbergoregon.gov/citymanager/page/covid-19-resources-businesses-and-employees. The webpage has information on local, state, and national resources businesses and employees can access or apply for including loans, grants, and federal funds.
According to Newberg Mayor Rick Rogers, “Small businesses are the life blood of our community. The Business Emergency Relief Grant program is a means to help support local businesses as they face extremely challenging times. Program parameters were developed in collaboration with the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Newberg Downtown Coalition, the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) and the City of Newberg. The program is but one example of the power of collaboration in our community. We wish our businesses and all of our residents quick and lasting relief from the pain brought by COVID-19.”
The City will be releasing more information about the grant program and the other business resources available on its website and social media accounts.