Prosper Portland, as the economic and urban development agency for the City of Portland, is best equipped to use funds for those purposes, though we acknowledge that the scope of the Reimagine Oregon proposals may be larger. However, economic development is a base for many other types of equitable interventions, and it is one reason why we designate the fund usages as being “flexible.”

Administering the Grant Guidelines will allow Prosper Portland to implement the following Advance Portland objectives:

  • Objective 2: Promote equitable wealth creation by supporting BIPOC-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses through partnerships, capital, and relevant support.
  • Objective 3: Foster a vibrant Central City and neighborhood commercial districts with tailored strategies to reimagine and revitalize our commercial centers and corridors as vibrant nodes of employment, small business, entertainment, and cultural amenities.