38 Lake County businesses received combined $547,500

By Danielle Jester Lake County Examiner

Sun Feb 21 2021 08:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Thirty-eight businesses throughout Lake County recently received a combined $547,500 in funding through the COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program administered by the South Central Oregon Economic Development District (SCOEDD). No individual business received more than $20,000.

Lake County Treasurer Ann Crumrine provided a breakdown of how many businesses in each area were awarded grants and for how much. Lakeview businesses were at the top of the list: $372,500 was distributed amongst 26 different businesses. Four businesses in Christmas Valley received a combined $50,000, with individual amounts ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

In Silver Lake, three businesses received $20,000 each. One business in Fort Rock was awarded $15,000.

Two establishments in Summer Lake received a combined $30,000 and two businesses in Paisley got a combined $20,000.

The Board of Commissioners discussed the details of which businesses would be eligible for monies from the grant program and how the funds would be doled out during a meeting in late 2020.

Businesses impacted by the freeze order issued by Gov. Kate Brown’s office near the end of 2020 were prioritized. Those included gyms, indoor recreation facilities, museums, indoor entertainment venues and venues that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events. Restaurants and/or bars that were required to close for indoor dining were also given priority.

Applications had to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 23. Priority business applications were processed upon receipt, notified and “paid as soon as administratively possible,” according to a SCOEDD document detailing the grant process.

Local businesses that previously received funding from SCOEDD to help alleviate negative impacts from COVID restrictions had that past funding amount deducted from the possible $20,000 offered to eligible establishments.

Additionally, businesses that could not prove a loss of at least $20,000 due to COVID impacts were also awarded less than the full amount.

A total $569,031 was made available to Lake County for the COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program. Crumrine explained that SCOEDD was allowed a 5% administration fee to handle the applications and funds; no monies went back to the State.

For more information, call SCOEDD at 541-884-5593.