OAR Chapter 124 — Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board

Division 1 EASTERN OREGON BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGION

Or. Admin. R. 124-001-0010 Purpose

The Eastern Oregon Economic Development Region, Board and Fund were established by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 through HB 2012. The purpose of this chapter of rules is to support, implement and define the programming criteria to ensure economic growth with the Region.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Or. Admin. R. 124-001-0020 Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region

(1) The Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region (Region) is established to promote workforce development, create or retain jobs, expand business and promote economic development with Oregon communities bordering Idaho.

(2) The Region consists of the follow areas:

(a) Within 20 miles of the Oregon border with the State of Idaho, including but not limited to Ontario, Vale and Nyssa

(b) An area in Oregon that is across the Oregon border from Weiser, Idaho;

(c) Is an area southwest of Vale for a distance of 10 miles; and

(d) Includes Willow Creek and Brogan.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Division 5 DEFINITIONS

Or. Admin. R. 124-005-0010 Definitions

(1) “Board” means the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board.

(2) “Department” means the Oregon Business Development Department.

(3) “Economic development” means development that:

(a) Relates to and supports:

(A) The economic health or recovery of the region;

(B) Business enterprise and activities in the region; or

(C) Development or certification of regionally significant industrial sites in the region;

(b) Creates jobs or prevents the loss of jobs in the region; or

(c) Promotes or expands businesses or prevents the decline of businesses located or to be located in the region.

(5) “Fund” means the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board Fund as defined in ORS 284.801.

(6) “Local Government” has the meaning given that term in ORS 174.116.

(7) “Region” means the Eastern Oregon Economic Border Region.

(8) “Regionally significant industrial site” has the meaning given that term in ORS 285B626.

(9) “Traded Sector” has the meaning given in ORS 285A.010.

(10) “Workforce development” means activities or services that assist individual to attain employment, progress along career pathways or establish and maintain businesses and that promote economic development by making skilled employees more readily available. “Workforce development” includes:

(a) Education, training and apprenticeships;

(b) Labor market analysis;

(c) Employment and reemployment assistance;

(d) Employee recruitment and retention;

(e) Workforce programs that have a primary mission of helping individuals become employed, retain employment, increase wages, progress along career pathways or establish and maintain businesses;

(f) Convening, coordinating, oversight and evaluation activities and services for business and state workforce agencies; and

(g) Development and improvement of residential housing to attract and keep employees in the region.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Division 10 EASTERN OREGON BORDER BOARD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

Or. Admin. R. 124-010-0010 Eligible Applicant

An "Eligible Applicant" includes:

(1) Local governments;

(2) Institutions of higher education defined in ORS 348.582

(3) Private or nonprofit businesses whose principal place of business or the majority of whose workforce is located in the Region;

(4) Small business development centers established in ORS 265B.165 to 285B.171;

(5) Economic development organizations;

(6) School districts; and

(7) Private persons and public, private, and non-profit entities promoting housing, workforce, or economic development within the Region.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Or. Admin. R. 124-010-0020 Project Eligibility

The Fund may be used to finance projects that will be used for:

(1) Economic development within the Region in that leads to private investment in order to create and retain jobs, and establish or expand businesses;

(2) Expansion of transportation infrastructure to ensure traded sector goods and services can move in and out of the Region.

(3) Expansion or enhancement of workforce development in the region, including development and improvement of residential housing necessary to attract and keep employees in the region that is responsive to the Region’s businesses and industries.

(4) Certification of regionally significant industrial sites within the Region.

(5) Due diligence assessment, or other assessment and evaluations that prepare a site for development under the Oregon Industrial Site Readiness Program ORS 285B.635 to 285B.640.

(6) Extension of private utilities, including but not limited to gas and electrical connections, to regionally significant industrial sites within the Region.

(7) Provision of support services and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and business owners in the Region, including but not limited to small business development centers established under ORS 285B.165 to 285B.171.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Or. Admin. R. 124-010-0030 Ineligible Expenditures

The Fund may not be used to assist:

(1) The retirement or service of debt for any public or private entity; and

(2) Expenses incurred prior to the date of award by the Board unless otherwise approved by the Board.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Or. Admin. R. 124-010-0040 Application and Board Review

(1) Applications may be made to the Board for loan or grant funding for eligible projects at a time and place designated by the Board after consultation with the Department. Applications for a loan must include:

(a) A plan for repayment of moneys borrowed plus interest;

(b) Evidence of debt assurance of, or security for, repayment for the applicant; and

(c) Such other information as may be requested of the applicant to evaluate creditworthiness according to industry standards.

(2) The Board will publicly advertise all specific funding opportunities. The advertisement will detail all necessary information needed to submit an application including:

(a) Subject matter and purpose for each opportunity;

(b) Type of entity eligible to apply;

(c) Types of application materials required;

(d) Forms to be used; and

(f) Due dates

(3) The Board may establish review panels to prioritize all proposals received and make funding recommendations to the Board. The full Board will determine all awards after review of the Department’s evaluation, public comment, review committee input, and any other input the Board deems necessary to make an informed decision.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019

Or. Admin. R. 124-010-0050 Project Funding

(1) The Board may provide financing for an eligible applicant’s project within the Region in the form of a grant or loan.

(2) The Board may not have any more than 10 open grant awards at any one time.

(3) The Board shall consider the following evaluation materials provided by the Department when determining the award of a grant or loan. Evaluative materials provided by the Department shall include at a minimum:

(a) An evaluation of proposed timelines for completion of a project for which Fund monies will be used;

(b) An evaluation or whether necessary development permits have been or can be obtained;

(c) A recommendation how to maximize Fund monies to ensure successful completion of a project;

(d) An assessment of an applicant’s ability to repay a loan;

(e) A review of the strengths, weaknesses and risks associated with an applicant or project; and

(f) Recommendations regarding terms and conditions for an approval of a grant or loan.

(4) The Board may utilize the following considerations when determining whether to award a loan or grant:

(a) Whether a project is ready for implementation;

(b) An Applicant’s commitment of funding contributions for a project from other public, private, or non-profit source;

(c) A project’s ability to support the retention or creation of jobs in the region;

(d) The anticipated increase in local tax revenue as a result of the project;

(e) A project’s expected useful life;

(f) The anticipated number of businesses or residents served;

(g) A project’s ability to not rely on future public subsidies for ongoing operations or maintenance;

(h) Performance metrics provided by an Eligible Applicant; and

(i) Any other considerations the Board determines necessary to make an informed decision regarding utilization of monies from the Fund.

History

• Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 284.771 - 284.801
• EOBED 1-2019, adopt filed 10/04/2019, effective 10/04/2019