PENDLETON — The Pendleton City Council approved a land deal for a new, 70-unit affordable housing project on the east side of South Hill, potentially contributing to one of the
PENDLETON â Over the next four months, a good chunk of the expenses of local restaurants will be covered courtesy of the city of Pendleton.
At a special meeting of the Pendleton Development Commission, which is helmed by the city council, members voted to approve the Save Our Amazing Restaurants grant program, which will provide non-chain restaurants with an up to $5,000-per-month grant for four months.
The total cost of the proposal is $600,000 for restaurants in and outside the urban renewal district, and itâs unlike any other grant or loan program the city has done before. Pendleton Economic Development Director Steve Chrisman said the circumstances of the stateâs COVID-19 restaurant shutdowns required a significant response.
And a price tag.
Following up on a Jan. 12 presentation with Pendleton Economic Development Director Steve Chrisman, Cheri Rosenberg, the CEO of the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, returned to city council chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 19, with more details on whatâs now being called the âSave Our Amazing Restaurantsâ relief program. Under the proposal, the city and its urban renewal district would spend $400,000 for the program.
The programâs proponents argue that it wouldnât just save a vital part of Pendletonâs business and tourism community, but also avoid a significant drop in property tax revenue from the empty storefronts that would pop up if restaurants closed down permanently.
PENDLETON — As the pandemic stretches into 2021, Pendleton’s elected leaders are considering more drastic measures to preserve the city’s restaurant industry.