$2000 SUMMER GRANT ANNOUNCED

At the February 20, 2010 retreat, business district leaders said they wanted a simpler, less competitive grant process, one that gives every BDA an opportunity to benefit from the grant program.  The APNBA and PDC heard you,  so this funding cycle is going to be a 'crossover model," with elements of the old and the new. It will not be perfect, nor will it satisfy everyone.

• The maximum grant will be $2,000 per business district.
  
• The grant request will be shorter, with more check boxes and less blank space.
  
• There will be much less paperwork.
  
• The budgeting up front will be less detailed. 
  
• The process from announcement to funding will be shorter
  
• Approval of proposals will happen by mid April.

The grant packet, instructions, application form, and evaluation form, is available as a Word document or as a PDF.

The timetable is as follows:

1st Orientation March 8th 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the Masonic Friendship Lodge
2nd Orientation March 15, 5:00PM, APNBA office 107 SE Washington @244
Applications due 4:30pm on Friday, March 26th. IN THE OFFICE
Applications approved April 8th
Funds available as soon as contracts are signed and returned.

New Focus

The APNBA board  voted to make APNBA's focus for the next two years 1) BDA Organizational Development and  2) Event marketing and other marketing/publicity.

The board also approved the Values, Values Proposition, definition of a BDA in good standing, and to start the search for a new executive director.

The board adopted values are

• BDAs Come First
• Practacility of Purpose
• Accountability
• Fun
• Transparent Communications
• Interconnectedness and Collaborations
• Innovation

The Value Proposition is

"Every BDA in Portland can get bigger, stronger, and richer as a result of APNBA's support. "
 We will bring expert help IN THE FIELD to BDA membership drives; we will provide technical and financial help with your marketing efforts and special events; and we will build communication between BDAs, both about  the "how to" of being a strong organization and about the issues that may affect your members.  By being active in this, your BDA's "trade association," you will increase your own membership base, run more successful events and programs, and help to strengthen the entire city's business community. 

The APNBA is an alliance of the 35+ business district associations (BDAs) in Portland, Oregon. BDA members are the merchants, property owners, and employees in the commercial districts surrounding the downtown. BDAs support and promote their commercial area. APNBA's support includes: 

• Managing the annual BDA Grant Program.
• Helping associations organize and revitalize.
• Providing training and education through conferences and seminars.
• Providing a forum for discussion.
• Maintaining communication among the small business owners as well as between small business and the government.
• Advocating for BDAs or their members to the city, county, and state.
• Participating on policy making boards and committees city-wide and reporting on government activity that affects the districts.  

Strong, active business district associations are the glue that hold neighborhoods together, giving them the distinctive identities that characterize Portland. Many of them serve the functions of a small town, offering the services and providing space for public interaction and community celebration. The well-organized business district association can be the business voice of this "micro-village" to the surrounding municipalities.

The APNBA is proud to have received        recognition for our sustainability efforts.