Urban Renewal Agency awards $42,752.50 grant to Columbia Feed and Supply for downtown façade and interior upgrades

The Scappoose Urban Renewal Agency voted Aug. 4 to award Columbia Feed and Supply a $42,752.50 grant to cover 50% of an $85,505 eligible renovation project, agency staff said.

The grant program award, recommended earlier by the Economic Development Committee and deemed a complete application by staff, is intended to improve the building’s exterior and interior to support a new grocery/whole-foods element the owners plan to add while maintaining existing feed and small-engine-repair services.

NJ Johnson, assistant to the city manager and city planner, told the agency the grant fund balance for the new fiscal year is $75,889 and that a $42,752.50 award would leave $33,136.50 available for the remainder of the fiscal year. Johnson said the agency reviews grants in July, November and March and that the next regular funding increase is expected in July 2026.

Applicant Jonathan Mask said he and his wife purchased Columbia Feed and Supply and plan to keep the business’s existing services while using unused interior space to sell locally sourced groceries and small-batch goods. “The common denominator for everybody isn't feed for chickens, and it's not feed for cattle, or small engine repair. It's food,” Mask said, describing the business concept.

Mask outlined the project's primary work as replacing and repairing exterior siding on the highway-facing wall with board-and-batten siding (planned to be local cedar or Douglas fir), updating windows on the building's most deteriorated section, and installing an awning in a later phase. He said the siding material would be sourced locally through a contact, Jeff Heller.

Commissioners asked operational and regulatory questions. Mayor Backus and commissioners clarified that the project would not expand the building footprint, would not require additional parking under current codes, and would not touch the public right-of-way; Mask and staff said the awning may require a building permit but that the work is otherwise general building repair. Mask said current staffing is three (himself, his wife and a mechanic) with plans to add employees as sales grow, potentially reaching six or seven over time.

Commissioner Holmes moved that the agency accept the Columbia Feed and Supply grant application and award the requested $42,752.50; Commissioner Haugen seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote, with those present responding "aye." Agency staff noted reimbursement will be by receipt and limited to either the approved grant amount or 50% of actual eligible expenditures, whichever is less.

Members also discussed another pending grant application that had requested approximately $40,000. Staff and Economic Development Committee members said they had asked that applicant to seek revised quotes or remove non-eligible items such as signage so both projects could be funded from the current balance. Staff advised that the Economic Development Committee had recommended full funding for Columbia Feed and Supply and that, with adjustments to the other applicant’s request, the committee hoped to fund both.

Mask described his business background at Platt Electric Supply and experience in operations and product development, saying it had prepared him to run the renovated storefront. He said the owners view the grant as an important opportunity but would proceed with the business if the agency did not fund the request.

The agency approved the grant and took no additional formal actions on implementation at the meeting. Staff will process reimbursement after Mask submits receipts that demonstrate eligible spending and compliance with program rules.