OHCS On Track to Help Disaster Survivors with Homeowner Assistance Program
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is moving into the application phase of the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) after receiving nearly 800 eligibility questionnaires from survivors of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. OHCS officials said this is a significant milestone only made possible because of the partnership of local organizations. ReOregon -- an OHCS program -- launched HARP at the end of March to help homeowners with low to moderate incomes who still need assistance to repair, rebuild or replace their homes in the wake of the disasters. ReOregon is now working on notifying more than 300 of the 800 people who submitted questionnaires with instructions on how they can apply for HARP. Local culturally-specific organizations are helping households that may need additional support navigating the application process. Program officials estimate there may be more survivors who may be eligible for assistance in later phases of HARP. Those who are interested can still fill out the Eligibility Questionnaire on the "re.oregon.gov" website where eligibility requirements are also listed. ...Read more

USDA Sending $4.4 M in Grants to Renewable Energy Projects Including One in Williams
US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley recently announced that the US Department of Agriculture is sending a total of more than $4.4 million in Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grants to support 20 renewable energy projects in rural communities across the state. The investments will be used to help farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners adopt renewable energy technologies, conduct critical energy audits, and cut costs and carbon pollution with energy efficiency improvements. Since launching in 2008, the REAP program has proved essential to rural America by providing grants and loans to help agriculture producers and small business owners expand their use of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy. Standing Tree Properties, LLC, of Williams will receive $50,672 to help it purchase and install a 19.44 kilowatt ground-mounted solar PV on their unused plot of land. The solar array will replace 72% of the business's energy use with renewable electricity, reducing its energy bill by $2,740 per year. ...Read more

GP City Council Okays SW City RV Park and Upholds HBSC Denial of Downtown Mural

The Grants Pass City Council on Wednesday night denied an appeal of the Urban Area Planning Commission's approval of a recreational vehicle park at the corner of SW Bridge and Leonard streets. Consolidated Land Holding, LLC, will move forward with phase one of the RV park, which will initially create a 63-space facility with a nearly 3,000 square foot utility building containing showers, laundry and a recreation room. Phase two will add 24 more spaces once a wetlands area is mitigated. The vote to uphold the Planning Commission's approval was 6-2, with Brian DeLaGrange and Rob Pell casting the dissenting votes. Later in the meeting, the land for the RV park was annexed into the City of Grants Pass. The City Council then heard a second appeal, this one from the Committee on Public Art after the Historical Building and Sites Commission denied a request for a mural designated for the alleyway that connects the Beaver Parking lot at the corner of 7th and G to SE 6th Street. The proposed mural depicted dogs in various historic apparel. The vote to overturn the HBSC's denial failed on a 5-3 tally. In other business, the Council vacated property lines within city-owned Baker Park because the installation of the new Portland Loo fell inside the setback criteria to one of the property lines. The panel then approved an annexation request of 4.69 acres at 948 NE Hillcrest Drive owned by the Mid-Rogue Foundation into the city limits. The request passed on a 5-2 vote, so the second reading will be considered on May 15th. ...Read more