Green Features Grant Program

Guidelines (PDF)

Application : .docx, PDF

Interstate Corridor URA boundary map (PDF)

Lents Town Center URA boundary map (PDF)

Gateway Regional Center boundary map (PDF)

Completed applications, questions, or inquires on the Green Features Grant program should be directed to:

Stephen Green
Project Coordinator, PDC 222 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
p: 503-823-3231
Email

The Green Features Grant Program is intended to generate interest in sustainable design and practice in Portland’s neighborhoods. The grant is being targeted to small, emerging businesses that typically may not think about sustainable options or have the ability to cover the incremental costs associated with emerging technologies. The grant seeks both need based applicants looking to cover the incremental costs associated with sustainable building and those desiring to adopt more sustainable practices.

Funds are currently available in the Interstate Corridor, Gateway Regional Center and Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Areas (URAs). Grants will be dispersed through reimbursement. Reimbursements will occur after agreement between PDC and applicant as to work to be performed and verification.

The Green Features Grant is being targeted to neighborhood-based business located in the Interstate, Gateway or Lents URAs to implement creative sustainable business practices and green building features. Program goals are to encourage businesses to:

• Think innovatively and strategically how sustainable features can be included in their business model;
• Introduce sustainable features to demonstrate cost-savings or reduce environmental impact;
• Demonstrate the potential of sustainable features to increase productivity;
• Integrate conservation and efficiency into business operations;
• Contribute to Portland’s environmental, economic and social goals.

Preference will be given to those projects that:

• Have a high likelihood of implementation
• Demonstrable energy savings or resource conservation
• Use local or recycled products
• Increase neighborhood livability
• Can demonstrate increased productivity
• Show cost-savings
• Have a measurable environmental impact
• Leverage private resources
• Have high-visibility
• Lead to job creation or retention

Policy and legal limitations restrict how urban renewal dollars can be used.  The proposed project must meet the following requirements to be considered for funding through the Grant Program.

• The proposed project must be located within the Interstate Corridor, Gateway Regional Center or Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Area boundaries. Properties must be properly zoned for proposed/existing use.
  • You may view overview maps of the Interstate, Gateway and Lents URAs or
  • Verify eligibility of specific addresses at http://www.portlandmaps.com. The screenshot below is an example of a property located within the Interstate Corridor URA. Properties located in the Lents Town Center URA will display "Lents" in step 3.

• Funding for the Grant Program is through tax increment financing (TIF) and, therefore, is tied to the physical improvements (including tenant improvements) of real estate property within the Interstate Urban Renewal Area.  Funds shall not be used for ongoing administration, maintenance costs, working capital, or other ineligible expense. Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to: purchase and installment of TIF-eligible energy reducing equipment, stormwater management, water conservation, solar power generation, green roofs, composting facilities, heat recapture systems and other innovative sustainable designs (to the extent all applicable as fixtures to real property).
  
  
• The proposed project must benefit a business; grants will not be given for speculative development.
  
  
• The grant applicant must have site control – ownership or lease. Property that is not owned by the business must have a current lease agreement with the property owner with a minimum remaining term of three (3) years and be permitted under the lease to carry out the proposed improvements.
  
  
• Projects that are required as part of construction, rehabilitation or development under City of Portland or State of Oregon ordinance or statute are not eligible.
  
  
• A willingness to work with PDC and any PDC hired contractor to document and publicize the project.
  
  
• Sole Proprietors, Business Corporations, Partnerships, and Nonprofit Corporations are all eligible, but businesses must have 50 or less employees at applicable location and the grant is limited to non-formula store formats (no more than 5 outlets nationwide).
• Applicant is required to get a "Sustainability Survey" from the BEST Business Center.

• Green Features Grant Program Guidelines (PDF)
• Application: .docx or PDF

Contact Information

Completed applications, questions, or inquires on the Green Features Grant Program should be directed to:

Stephen Green
Project Coordinator
Portland Development Commission
222 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
p: 503-823-3231
Email