Portland, OR – The City of Portland has 50 unique business districts that contain more than 23,000 small businesses, the majority of which are still struggling to recover from the past several years of challenges. To aid in their recovery, Venture Portland launched the Major Impact Grants program in 2023 in addition to their usual Fall and Spring Grant cycles. In early August 2024, Venture Portland awarded the final installment of Major Impact Awards – $250,000 to six Portland business districts. These grants, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 each, were made possible thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, Prosper Portland, and City Council, and are the largest awards Venture Portland has ever been able to offer. Grant recipients will implement projects that will increase pedestrian safety, enhance the visitor experience, and drive economic development for small local businesses over the next year.

Venture Portland’s Grants Committee, comprised of small business owners and representatives from partner organizations Travel Portland, RACC, and Bricks Need Mortar, evaluated grant submissions to determine business district grant funding. “The Venture Portland volunteer Grants Committee is tasked with the challenging work of selecting business district projects in a highly competitive process for these limited one-time funds,” said Grants Committee Co-Chair, Bridgid Blackburn. “These ARPA-funded grants, the largest grants administered by Venture Portland, will make a positive difference in revitalizing the business district recipients affected by the pandemic.”

This highly competitive round of grants prioritized projects that will make Portland’s business districts more accessible, inviting, and enjoyable for visitors. During the application process, Venture Portland staff were available to assist with grant writing and project planning. The response was overwhelming, and the all-volunteer Grants Committee had to make difficult decisions about the few projects they were budgeted to fund.

“As we continue to work on the larger challenges that Portland faces, the Business District Grants Program is helping to create energy and vibrancy throughout our City. Portlanders love an opportunity to get together and celebrate our neighborhoods, so I want to thank Venture Portland for investing in this work to build community while supporting our essential small businesses,” City of Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio said.

To further support member business district associations, Venture Portland regularly hosts webinars for small business owners on topics such as social media, partnerships, board operations, and more. The organization also promotes local businesses and business district events via the recently redesigned ventureportland.org, weekly e-newsletters, and social media. To stay in the know about the latest happenings in business districts, subscribe to Venture Portland’s e-mail list and follow us on Instagram.

2024 Major Impact Grant Recipients:

  • Jade District – District Beautification Project
  • Montavilla East Tabor Business Association – ‘Meet Me in Montavilla’ District Activation
  • Old Town Community Association – Lantern Project (Phase 2)
  • Raleigh Hills – ‘Past, Present, and Future’ Public Art
  • Stadium District – Restoration of David Campbell Memorial Plaza
  • St. Johns – Enhanced St. Johns Plaza Lighting