PDC approves SOAR grant program

PENDLETON – The Pendleton Development Commission has approved establishing a Save Our Amazing Restaurants grant program. The funds are targeted to help restaurants stay in business for the next four months. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Cheri Rosenberg says it’s vital to Pendleton’s tourism economy because 40 percent of the nation’s restaurants won’t survive COVID-19 closures.

“A 40 percent loss to us is right under $9 million a year, “Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg said that there’s another good reason why restaurants are being singled out with this program.

“At the end of the day, they are the only ones who have been hit for almost a year now, at least at half capacity,” she said.

Applications for SOAR grants are in the works and Rosenberg said the chamber and city will notify the restaurants when they are available. The applicants will be rated on bare-bones expenses like rent and utility payments. Each successful applicant could receive as much as $5,000 a month for the next four months.

The grants for restaurants within the urban renewal district would be paid for with existing urban renewal funds, similar to grants available to businesses for things like façade or second-story renovations. The grants for restaurants outside the downtown area will be funded by the city’s community development account.

The final approval is up to the Pendleton City Council and will be on the agenda for its next meeting on Tuesday.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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