Multnomah County Repair Grants Available for Small East County Businesses Hit by Vandalism
Businesses can use the funds to repair broken windows, remove graffiti and mend damage that occurred since July 1, 2022.
Beginning Monday, April 10, Multnomah County is offering small grants of up to $5,000 to help small businesses operating east of Interstate 205 to repair damage from recent vandalism.
Businesses can use the funds to repair broken windows, remove graffiti and mend damage from vandalism that occurred since July 1, 2022. The County is partnering with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) to distribute aid to small businesses.
Apply for the grant in English or Spanish.
“The need to help small businesses who suffered so much from the COVID-19 disruption, but didn’t necessarily qualify for other repair grants, is still very real,’’ said Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. “I’m committed to doing what we can to help these small East County businesses that are so critical to our community’s recovery and economic health.”
Chair Vega Pederson — then District 3 Commissioner Vega Pederson — led the effort to create the anti-vandalism fund in June 2022 after reports of vandalism in east Multnomah County more than tripled between 2019 and 2021. Businesses that had been targeted suffered economic losses on top of the significant challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the city of Portland has a repair grant program to cover vandalism costs for businesses within the city, no such program existed in east County. This $100,000 program will help support small businesses by covering the cost of vandalism up to $5,000.
The County is partnering with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) to distribute aid to small businesses. Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon provides a wide range of programs and services to small businesses, including lending, business planning, market research, classes and mentoring.
“Vandalism harms more than business facades and windows, it hurts our community. Local business owners should be focused on expanding their enterprise, not on repairing damage,’’ said Cobi Lewis, executive director. “We are happy to be able to offer up to $5,000 to an entrepreneur whose business has recently been impacted by vandalism.”
Only one application will be accepted for any one business or business owner.
To qualify for the “Multnomah County Vandalism Grant,” a business must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be located in Multnomah County, east of I-205
- Have repaired physical damage to the business since July 1, 2022
- Be headquartered in Oregon and principally operate in Oregon
- If required, be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State to do business
- Be for-profit or a 501(c)(3) non-profit
- Be open or planning to reopen shortly
- Comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Cannot be a passive investment holding company
- Cannot be delinquent on taxes due before May 18, 2021
Businesses are encouraged to apply and email MESO with any application-related questions.