Job Creation Grant Program expansion and reprogramming
Summary
The board distributed the last of this year's job creation grant money — $130,000 — among twelve businesses, with most getting $10,000 or $20,000 for rent. Staff noted the rule limiting eligible expenses to commercial rent helps fight storefront vacancy but hurts businesses with off-site workers and no large rent bills.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $140,000 in grant awards were approved, drawing on the remaining $130,000 of program funds.
Ten Portland small businesses get grant money to help cover rent and job creation.
Two applicants, Calmbrook and Top Care, received no grant despite applying.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Portland Development Corporation - Oct 15, 2026
The program that gives small businesses up to $20,000 per job created got broader — grantees can now put money toward working capital, and $30,000 in returned funds was redirected to three businesses including two in-home care agencies. The City Council has the final say on the guidelines change.
Portland Development Corporation - Sep 17, 2026
The board distributed the last of this year's job creation grant money — $130,000 — among twelve businesses, with most getting $10,000 or $20,000 for rent. Staff noted the rule limiting eligible expenses to commercial rent helps fight storefront vacancy but hurts businesses with off-site workers and no large rent bills.
Portland Development Corporation - Jul 16, 2026
A new CDBG-funded program offers $10,000 to businesses that create a job and hire someone from a low- or moderate-income background. Only one application has come in so far, and the board will vote on applications at the August meeting.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Portland
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.