The City of Newport has established a grant program to assist small businesses that have had to close or curtail operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be awarded to qualifying businesses to assist with costs they will need to incur to reopen. The Newport City Council has established parameters for the submittal, review, and approval of grant applications to ensure that available funds are dispersed in an equitable manner. Information about the grant program, including eligibility requirements and application materials, are available on the City of Newport website at: https://www.newportoregon.gov/.
Individual grants will be up to a maximum of $10,000 per business or business owner. Funds may be used to pay for product (e.g. perishable foods), utilities, payroll, or mortgage/rent. A point system to prioritize the distribution of grants, with those with the highest points being awarded first. The City may prorate amounts awarded to expand the number of qualified businesses receiving grants. Applications will be accepted if filed no later than 5:00 P.M. on Friday, May 29, 2020, by online submittal at https://newportoregon.gov/covid19, emailed at: bizgrant@newportoregon.gov, or they may be dropped off by appointment, at Newport City Hall (169 SW Coast Highway). An appointment may be scheduled by contacting the City Manager’s Office at 541-574-0603.