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.
For more information read
the news release.
We thank the many organizations that
applied for this year’s opportunity. This was the most competitive year yet,
and we are pleased to share this year’s 13 grant recipients, that were awarded
approximately $125,000 in funding.
If your
organization applied for a grant and did not receive an email announcement,
please contact MarieDiodati.
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.