Lane County and Community Lending Works (CLW), in partnership with the cities of Coburg, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Eugene, Florence, Lowell, Springfield, and Veneta, have been awarded $225,000 from Business Oregon to be provided as grants to eligible businesses.

The cities of Lowell, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Florence, and Veneta have contributed approximately $60,000 in additional funds, making almost $285,000 available. Earlier funding provided by Lane County and the partner cities was used to demonstrate matching funds in order to increase the overall amount of Business Oregon’s award.

“Businesses in Lane County continue to struggle against the effects of COVID-19, including a sharp decline in customers and restricted operations,” said Lane County’s Community & Economic Development Manager Austin Ramirez. “These grants are intended to help bridge part of that gap for small businesses.”

Eligible businesses include those with 25 or fewer employees (including sole proprietors and business owners with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers), and only those that have been unable to receive federal CARES Act funding, including the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance program, or other federal programs for emergency pandemic funding to date.

These grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000 to support businesses directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount awarded will be based on a formula from the State that accounts for employment size and COVID-19- related impacts. Businesses must use the proceeds for business-related operating expenses.

To be considered for funding, eligible businesses must go to https://communitylendingworks.org/emergency-grants/ and submit the pre-registration form.

Pre-registration will close at midnight on July 13, 2020. Eligible businesses that pre-registered will be entered into a random lottery and selected until funding runs out. Community Lending Works will then work with the selected businesses to complete the full application.

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