Contact: Shawn Uhlman, PDC, 503-823-7994
November 04, 2013
The Portland Mercado, Urban Grange/Zenger Farms and Earl Boyles Community Center in Lents are among the most significant awards
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) has announced its intent to award $1,228,000 in Community Livability Grants to projects in the Interstate Corridor (ICURA), Lents Town Center (LTC URA) and Gateway Urban Renewal Areas for fiscal year 2013-14.
Eleven projects in Interstate, five projects in Lents, and one project in Gateway will receive funding. The Lents project list includes the construction of a commissary kitchen in the Portland Mercado, the Latino-themed market to be developed by Hacienda CDC at SE 72nd and SE Foster Avenues.
Nathan Teske, director of community development for Hacienda, said, “Hacienda is honored and thrilled to receive PDC CLG grant funds to develop a community kitchen in the Portland Mercado. The community kitchen will serve as a vital asset for Latino and other low-income food micro-entrepreneurs trying to start or grow their businesses, and will also serve as teaching platform to increase knowledge about nutrition and healthy cooking in low-income and communities of color.”
PDC Executive Director Patrick Quinton said, “This year’s level of funding for grant recipients marks a significant increase in returning tax increment dollars to the community. These projects reach out to priority populations and encourage the use of certified minority contractors, to make a real difference in creating livable, healthy neighborhoods throughout Portland.”
Community members representing each of the URAs, members of the Neighborhood Economic Development Leadership Group, and PDC staff comprised the grant evaluation committee.
Grant applicants were required to make a good faith effort to contract with State of Oregon certified Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Disadvantaged or Emerging Small Businesses (M/W/D/ESBs). That effort is expected to result in at least $746,214 in work for M/W/D/ESB contractors. In addition, two of the recipients, SE Works and Arbor Lodge Urban Farm, will emphasize job training and workforce development as critical components of their projects.
To view the complete list of fund recipients visit: www.pdc.us/clg
The Community Livability Grant Program, administered by PDC, awards funding annually to projects that involve physical improvements to community facilities, open spaces or historic/cultural preservation. The program invests in facilities and other neighborhood assets that improve livability for residents and enhance the unique nature of Portland neighborhoods in the Interstate, Lents, and beginning this year, Gateway urban renewal areas.
Since 2006, PDC has awarded more than $2.45 million to 60 community livability projects in the Interstate and Lents URAs, an investment that has leveraged more than $1.5 million in other funds and volunteer labor.
