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Council approves administrative changes to PDC business assistance program aimed at job creation using CDBG funds
Summary
Council approved revisions to a PDC program that will use Community Development Block Grant funds to support employer hiring commitments; staff said $200,000 over two years could support job creation or retention.
The Portland City Council approved administrative changes to a Portland Development Corporation (PDC) business assistance program intended to use CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds to support local hiring and job quality.
Greg Watson, director of housing and economic development, described the changes as administrative updates that allow incremental funding draws aligned to HUD requirements and strengthen employer accountability. Watson said the city expects to use approximately $200,000 in CDBG funds over the next two years to support employer hires that could yield a mix of full‑time and part‑time positions.
Watson said the program was approved by the PDC’s review panel (PPC) on June 25 by a 7–0 vote and that eligible uses would be limited to costs tied to hiring and retention. Councilors asked how the city will monitor job quality; Watson said grantees must submit income verification forms and quarterly payroll registers and that a CDBG program manager will review those materials.
Councilors discussed whether a local labor‑oversight position could improve program administration and asked staff to consider whether a small, centralized labor oversight capacity would help monitor city‑supported job programs. Watson and staff said they would take the suggestion under advisement.
A roll‑call was held and the order to adopt the administrative changes passed. No amendments to the funding amount were made at the meeting.
