COVID-19 Community Assistance Programs
The City of Wilsonville's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes several programs to provide immediate support to residents and business operators. A summary of these programs follows:
Business Assistance COVID-19 Relief Grants Program
On April 20, the Wilsonville City Council adopted a limited, one-time program to provide $400,000 in taxpayer-funded financial assistance to eligible small businesses in Wilsonville. Funded with $200,000 from Urban Renewal Program Income funds and $200,000 from the City’s Transient Lodging Tax (“TLT”), the Wilsonville Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants Program was developed to offer emergency one-time financial assistance to Home Based Business (owner + one more than one employee), Micro-Businesses (no more than 5 employees); and Small Businesses (6-20 employees). More than 150 grants, in the amount of $1,000 to $4,000, are to be awarded in early May. The application period for eligible business owners begins on Friday, April 24 and concludes at 5 pm on Wednesday, April 29.
Wilsonville Community Sharing Rent and Utility Assistance Program
On April 20, the City Council adopted Resolution 2810, which augments the City's existing relationship to provide annual financial support to aid clients of Wilsonville Community Sharing, a local non-profit that operates the City's food bank and provides social services to individuals and families in need. The resolution provides $50,000 in emergency support to allow Wilsonville Community Sharing to address the needs of community members who may be experincing financial hardship in the wake of COVID-19. The money aids residents with rent, non-City utility assistance, and the purchase of prescription medications.
On April 6, the City Council adopted Resolution 2805, which provided $10,000 in funding to assist Wilsonville Community Sharing clients with the payment of City utility bills.
#OneWilsonville Gift Card Purchase Program
In April, the City Manager authorized $20,000 from the general fund to laucn the City's “One Wilsonville” Gift Card Purchase Program to support residents and local restaurants in need of financial relief in the wake of COVID-19. City employees visited local restaurants, purchasing $20,000 in gift cards to provide a segment of our local business community with immediate and much-needed support in the wake of the State’s ‘stay at home’ directive that has temporary closed doors and dining rooms, and diminished sales at retail establishments citywide. All gift cards purchased by the City are routed to community members with dire need via Wilsonville Community Sharing and the Wilsonville Police Department.
