Newberg Downtown Coalition asks council for stable TLT funding; council agrees manager may release $5,000

Brandon Anderson, co-executive director of the Newberg Downtown Coalition, asked the City Council on Feb. 3 for regular annual funding tied to the city’s transient lodging tax to stabilize the group’s operations and allow it to pursue grants and downtown projects.

“We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to making our downtown more vibrant, engaging, and beautiful for residents, businesses, and tourists alike,” Anderson said, describing the Coalition’s volunteer-run operations and the need for reliable operational funds. He asked the council to consider “2.5% of the total transient lodging tax or TLT dollars of the next budget cycle” to cover basic operating costs and free the Coalition to seek project funding.

Why it matters: Coalition leaders said predictable operational funding would let them rejoin the Oregon Main Street program, pursue matching grants, coordinate beautification and events, and better support…