Editorial: Bend Small Business Program Faces Growing Pains
Bend’s newly launched grant program for small businesses presents both opportunities and obstacles, particularly as the city navigates the complexities of distributing funds responsibly. Designed for established local businesses with 50 or fewer employees, the initiative aims to provide the necessary support for these ventures to thrive, but it is already facing significant challenges.
First and foremost is the disparity between the funding available and the overwhelming demand. With 77 applications requesting over $2 million in total, the allocated budget of $130,000 starkly illustrates the program’s limitations. This gap raises critical questions about which businesses will receive funding and how the selection process will be managed.
The city has outlined a review process that involves the Business Economic Development Advisory Board and the Environment and Climate Committee. Following their assessments, city staff will make recommendations, with final decisions resting with City Manager Eric King. While this plan reflects a structured approach, we can’t help but wonder if greater transparency and accountability could be achieved by involving the Bend City Council more directly in the approval process.
Concerns about the review workload have also emerged. Members of the economic advisory board have expressed their apprehension about the extensive time commitment required to review the applications—some ranging between 3 to 10 pages. Given this, a proposed solution was for board members to divide applications amongst themselves and focus on advocating for the strongest cases within their limited review. However, this could hinder a comprehensive evaluation of all proposals.
As the city reflects on this inaugural round, it may be worth considering adjustments for future iterations. One potential approach could involve an initial review by city staff, who could streamline the process by identifying top candidates for board review. This modification would alleviate the burden on volunteer board members and enhance the efficiency of the selection process.
Ultimately, while Bend’s grant program for small businesses is a commendable initiative, its nascent stage shows the need for refinement. With adjustments to the review process and broader public accountability, the program has the potential to make a meaningful impact on the local economy.
To learn more about the program, visit Bend Small Business Program.
Editorials reflect the views of The Bulletin’s editorial board, Editor Jody Lawrence-Turner, Editor Tim Trainor, and Editorial Page Editor Richard Coe.
