NEW COVID-19 GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR AFFECTED MADRAS BUSINESSES

Contact:          Lysa Vattimo, City of Madras Communications 541-325-0302

At their January 12 & 26, 2021 meetings, the Madras City Council and the Madras Redevelopment Commission voted to support Madras businesses most adversely affected by COVID-19 restrictions. The Council appropriated up to $65,000 for businesses located within Madras city limits and the Madras Redevelopment Commission appropriated up to $200,000 for businesses located within the Madras Urban Renewal area. The goal of this funding is to provide support to businesses who are trying to keep their store fronts occupied and fixed expenses current so they don’t fall behind despite COVID-19 restrictions on capacity and operations.

Awarded grants are intended to assist restaurants, gyms, and dance studios with fixed monthly costs that accrue whether they are open or closed. The maximum grant award will be $7,500 per business, depending on available funding, to support up to three months of fixed expenses, such as rent/lease/mortgage and utilities.

To be eligible for funding, businesses must:

• be a locally owned restaurant, gym or dance studio;
• maintain a physical location in Madras that has been operational for at least one year; and
• have a current City of Madras business license.

Process:

• Applications will be accepted electronically at https://forms.gle/uio7BiZKYobcwVEY9 between February 1 and February 12 at 5:00pm PST.
• Applications will be reviewed by the COVID-19 Economic Grant Task Force after the deadline.
• Applicants will be notified by email of the outcome (approved or declined) by February 24.
• Funding will be provided either directly to the business as a reimbursement for eligible expenses or the business may provide the City with bills, for which the City will remit a direct payment.

General Information:

• If a business owner needs assistance completing the application, they may contact the Madras Chamber of Commerce at 541-475-2350.
• For general questions regarding the application or process, call 541-475-2344.
• Para asistencia en español, por favor llame a Nelly Barrera al 541-475-2344.