December 1, 2022 3:50 a.m.

Several dozen local small businesses – including some owned by women and minorities – have been helped with COVID-19 relief funds through a $500,000 Emergency Small Business and Microenterprise Grant Program.

A City of Roseburg release said it was the lead applicant and along with Douglas County applied for and won a community development block grant to set up an emergency grant program that took applications last spring. The City then partnered with Roseburg-based CCD Business Development Corporation – which serves Douglas, Coos and Curry counties – to administer and process grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

The release said the largest number of businesses – 14 – are service-oriented while 6 are retail, 8 are restaurants, and 5 are wineries or breweries. 3 manufacturing businesses, 3 construction companies and 1 lodging establishment also benefitted, according to CCD’s grant impact report.

The businesses included 29 with 1 to 5 employees, 8 with 6 to 10 employees and 4 with more than 10 employees. 4 businesses have existed for more than 20 years, 5 have operated 11 to 20 years, 14 have been in business 6 to 10 years and 18 have operated for 5 years or less.

The release said 8 grants were awarded in a range between $20,000 to $25,000, 22 were between $10,000 and $15,000 and 11 were between $1,000 and $9,000.

Originally, CCD expected to award a total of $275,000 as cash, with the rest used to provide professional services, workforce training or meet other needs of local eligible businesses that applied. However, after noticing that the need for direct cash assistance was much greater than the need for technical assistance, the program budget was adjusted to provide $460,000 in cash assistance and $5,000 in technical assistance. 10 businesses that got cash awards up to $14,500 also each received $500 in technical assistance support.