CRPUD Launches New Economic Development Grant Program

April 25, 2018 – The Columbia River People’s Utility District (CRPUD) Board of Directors has approved a new CRPUD Economic Development Grant Program. The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to local nonprofit corporations who are investing in long-term economic development within the CRPUD service area for the benefit of the local community and CRPUD customers.

“Supporting economic development efforts has long been a part of our corporate strategy,” said General Manager John Nguyen. “This program provides an opportunity for us to partner with local nonprofit corporations in continuing that important work.”

In implementing the Economic Development Grant Program, CRPUD is following in the footsteps of other public utilities, including Tillamook PUD and Northern Wasco County PUD, who have run similar programs successfully for many years. The Oregon Legislature grants Oregon PUDs the power to provide funds for these programs for the purpose of promoting economic growth and the expansion of business and industry within the PUD territory.

The CRPUD Board set the 2018 budget for the program at $15,500. Individual grant amounts are limited to no more than 50% of the total project costs, and nonprofits may receive no more than $15,000 in grants within a five-year period. Grant applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed by the CRPUD Economic Development Grant Committee. Only qualified applications will be forwarded to the CRPUD Board of Directors for consideration at their monthly public meetings.

Additional details about the grant program are available at crpud.net/grant.

“There are compelling reasons to have a program like this, and I believe we have come up with a balanced approach that will serve our community well,” said CRPUD Board Member Rob Mathers.

The Economic Development Grant Program is one of two programs replacing CRPUD’s Community Advertising and Sponsorship Program. A new Vehicle Wash Program was also implemented in April, and provides local nonprofit groups an opportunity to raise funds for their organization in exchange for washing PUD bucket trucks and fleet vehicles.

More information on the wash program is available at crpud.net/wash.