COVID-19 relief funds aid local businesses

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Several dozen small local businesses – including some owned by women and minorities – have been helped with COVID-19 relief funds through a $500,000 Emergency Small Business and Microenterprise Grant Program.

The City of Roseburg, which was the lead applicant, and Douglas County applied for and won a $500,000 community development block grant to set up an emergency grant program that took applications last spring. The City then partnered with Roseburg-based CCD Business Development Corporation -- the regional Economic Development District for Douglas, Coos and Curry counties -- to administer and process grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

“CCD thanks the City of Roseburg for all your efforts and support in accessing these types of resources,” wrote CCD Business Development Corporation Executive Director Theresa Haga.

A total of 41 small Douglas County businesses, including microenterprises, received grants or services totaling $465,000, according to CCD Business Development Corporation, which received $35,000 for administering the program. Fifteen businesses are located in Roseburg and 26 operate elsewhere in Douglas County. Those assisted include 21 women-owned businesses and four owned by minorities. Eighteen were sole-proprietor businesses. A total of 79 businesses applied. Awards were based on demonstrated need rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.

The largest number of businesses – 14 -- are service-oriented while six are retail, eight are restaurants and five are breweries or wineries. Three manufacturing businesses, three construction companies and one lodging establishment also benefitted, according to CCD’s grant impact report.

The businesses included 29 with one to five employees, eight with six to 10 employees and four with more than 10 employees. Four businesses have existed for more than 20 years, five have operated 11 to 20 years, 14 have been in business six to 10 years and 18 have operated for five years or less.

Grants were awarded in ranges from $20,000 to $25,000 (eight grants), $10,000 to $15,000 (22 grants) and $1,000 to $9,000 (11 grants).

Originally, CCD expected to award a total of $275,000 as cash, with the rest used to provide professional services, workforce training or meet other needs of local eligible businesses that applied. However, CCD noticed the need for direct cash assistance was much greater than the need for technical assistance, so the program budget was adjusted to provide $460,000 in cash assistance and $5,000 in technical assistance. Ten businesses that got cash awards up to $14,500 also each received $500 in technical assistance support.