RV Times – State Agency Reverses Decision on Fire-related Economic Aid

According to a May 24, 2024, RV Times article, A state agency has changed course and will proceed with Almeda Fire relief grants to support businesses and the local economy less than three weeks after it told a local selection committee it would need to reconsider applications that had already been recommended for funding or solicit new ones. To read the full article and how the Southern Oregon Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Recovery (PIER) funds are being reallocated, click here.

Jackson County has appealed to the Governor and the Secretary of State regarding Oregon Housing and Community Services’ (OHCS) administration of the PIER funds. The letter written to Governor Tina Kotek and Oregon Secretary of State Lavonne Griffin-Valade by the county commissioners is below.

SOREDI has been advocating for business revitalization funding for the burn scar area and has been active in the PIER process. It has been and continues to be a frustrating effort to get the funds out in a timely manner to where they are needed most.