Repair and reuse industries contribute significantly to employment and economic prosperity in Oregon and help to rebuild the skills and practices we need to be more resourceful. Many everyday products can have a longer useful life with proper maintenance and repair. Capturing this value through expanded opportunities for repair, refurbishment, resale and reuse reduces a broad variety of environmental impacts. This also offers greater access and affordability to many who can benefit from low-cost alternatives. DEQ launched a Workforce Development Grant Program in 2017 as a pilot project, and due to its success, officially re-launched this grant program 2020.
Due to COVID-19, DEQ broadened this program in 2020 to address the challenges small businesses are facing with employee retention caused by the current health crisis. Keeping the repair and reuse sectors economically viable is a priority in Oregon, and we want to use this grant to help keep reuse and repair businesses operating through these unprecedented times.
Update: Materials Management Grants Paused in 2021-2022
The Materials Management grant program is on pause in 2021-2022, and will not be awarding grants. The goal is to streamline the grant process and establish funding priorities that align with the 2050 Vision and Framework for Action. This will allow the program to better serve current grantees and enhance transparency and accessibility in future grant cycles. An update will be posted as soon as the next grant cycle is known. Thank you for your patience as the program does this important work. We look forward to working with you when the grant program resumes.
If you have questions please contact
Cat Rhoades, Materials Management Grant Administrator, 503-378-5089.
We thank the many organizations that applied for the 2020 grant opportunity. This was the most competitive year yet, and we are pleased to share 13 grant recipients were awarded approximately $125,000 in funding in 2020.
As reference only, please see the grant agreement template we will use if you are selected as a grantee:
Read more about DEQ's repair and reuse efforts
- Strategic Plan: Describes the strategies, actions and priority materials for repair, reuse and product lifespan extension for 2016 - 2021.