Columbia River PUD > My PUD > In Our Community > Community Economic Development Grant Program

Community Economic Development Grant Program

Columbia River PUD offers its Community Economic Development Grant to local not-for-profit entities for projects that promote economic development and enhance livability in our community. The PUD’s Community Economic Development Grant Program was established in accordance with ORS 261.305(12).

Apply online now.

Print the Program Materials

Grants Awarded

2022

  • Columbia County Habitat for Humanity was awarded a grant for its new Home Ownership Resource Center.
  • The City of Scappoose was awarded a grant for its Scappoose Adventure Festival.
  • Riverside Community Outreach was awarded a grant for renovation of its new building in St. Helens.
  • The Scappoose Public Library was awarded a grant to expand its Movies in the Park program.

2021

  • The City of Scappoose was awarded a grant for planning efforts for the Scappoose Centennial Celebration.
  • The Rainier Oregon Historical Museum was awarded a grant for constructing the infrastructure for a museum in Rainier.
  • Keep It Local Columbia County was awarded a grant to upgrade its website supporting local businesses.
  • The Port of Columbia County was awarded a grant for its efforts to create an inventory of available industrial land in our area.
A map of the proposed Rainier Museum.
A drawing of the proposed museum in Rainier.

2020

  • Northwest Oregon Works was awarded a grant to expand its Industrial Sewing Education for the Arts and Manufacturing (INSEAM) program.
  • Scappoose Drainage Improvement Company was awarded a grant to help recertify its levee according to FEMA requirements.
    A map illustrating the 100-year FEMA floodplain in Scappoose.
    A map showing the 100-year FEMA floodplain in Scappoose.

2019

  • Rainier Drainage Improvement Co. was awarded a grant to complete the second phase of the Rainier Levee Re-Certification Program.
  • Friends of Columbia County Fair was awarded a grant to replace poles and lights around the rodeo arena.
  • LEAD of Columbia County was awarded a grant for its transformation project of the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors Center.
  • Columbia County Habitat for Humanity was awarded a grant to complete the remodel of its ReStore warehouse.
  • Columbia County Economic Team was awarded a grant for its planning efforts for the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation District.
    South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Simon Date accepts a check from Columbia River PUD Board President Jake Carter.
    South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Simon Date accepts a check from Columbia River PUD Board President Jake Carter.

2018

  • St. Helens Economic Development Corporation (SHEDCO) was awarded a grant for its Business Development Competition.
  • St. Helens Senior Center was awarded a grant to expand the sales floor at Top Notch Thrift Store.
    Children's clothing for sale at Top Notch Thrift Store.
    Top Notch Thrift Store expanded its sales floor with help from our Economic Development Grant.

Evaluation & Award Process

The CRPUD Economic Development Grant Committee will review your application to determine whether it complies with our program requirements. The committee may reach out to you if additional information is needed. After review, the committee will forward only qualified applications to the CRPUD Board of Directors (the Board) for consideration.

Only the Board can award grants under this program. Please understand that even if your organization qualifies and is eligible for a grant, the Board in its sole discretion decides whether or not to award a grant, and the Board can deny or reject grant proposals for any reason. Applicants should not rely on any expectation that a grant will be awarded. This is a voluntary program, and there is no right to a grant, even if an organization qualifies.

You will be notified if your grant proposal is approved by the Board. You will also be notified if your application does not meet our program requirements, or if the Board declines to award a grant for your proposal. Applicants should be aware that grant applications and proposals will be public records and that the details of the proposals may be discussed in a public board meeting. At its discretion, CRPUD may request changes to the terms of a grant proposal at any time before funds are awarded.

Grant Specifications

  • Grants will be awarded biannually. Applications are due February 28 for consideration at the March Board Meeting and August 31 for consideration at the September Board Meeting.
  • Individual grants are limited to $5,000 and may not exceed one-half of the total project costs that are actually or reasonably incurred.
  • Organizations may receive up to $15,000 in grants in any five-year period.
  • Grant recipients must agree that funds will be used only for the purposes and activities described in this grant application, and that any and all unused or excess funds will be returned to CRPUD.
  • Organizations may be ineligible if any CRPUD Board Member or employee, or any immediate family member of any CRPUD Board Member or employee is a member, director, officer, or employee of the organization who receives remuneration from the organization. For the purposes of this program, “immediate family members are parents, stepparents, siblings, spouses, children, and stepchildren.”

Verification Process

  • Grant recipients must agree to submit regular progress reports to CRPUD and must agree that CRPUD personnel may perform intermittent reviews and onsite project inspections.
  • Upon project completion, verification of costs and a final report must be submitted to CRPUD.

For More Information

Heidi Ralls
Administration & Public Relations Manager
(503) 366-6500
hralls@crpud.org

Kyle Boggs
Community & Public Relations Specialist
(503) 366-3243

Grant Application

Fill out the form below, or download and complete this application in PDF format.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • (As shown in Oregon Business Registry)
  • Is any CRPUD Board Member or employee, or any immediate family member of any CRPUD Board Member or employee, a member, director, officer, or employee of the nonprofit corporation who receives remuneration from the corporation? For the purposes of this program, "immediate family members" are parents, stepparents, siblings, spouses, children, and stepchildren.
  • Provide a complete description of the project for which your organization is requesting grant funding. You may attach a file or use the text box below.
  • Attach a file that provides a complete description of the project for which your organization is requesting grant funding.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 60 MB.
  • Provide the project budget, including all materials and labor. Provide a list of all grants, in-kind contributions, and other sources of funding you have received or must receive for the project to be completed. You may type the information into this field or upload an attachment.
  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 60 MB.
  • Include photographs, drawings, letters of support, or other additional materials for CRPUD to consider.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 60 MB.
  • Criteria Explain how your grant award will promote economic growth and the expansion or addition of local business and industry.
  • What impact is expected on the local economy as a result of this grant being awarded?
  • How will this project enhance livability in our community? Please provide details and specific examples of how community livability will improve.
  • Please identify how this project will benefit CRPUD customers and why ratepayer funds should be used to fund this project.
  • What is the expected lifespan or duration of this project?