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County court tentatively backs Catalyst for Opportunity Zone application; broader grant-writing RFQ paused
Summary
Harney County received four grant-writing proposals and tentatively favored Catalyst for Opportunity Zone application work because the group already has local activity and investor contacts; commissioners tabled broader grant-writing firm selection pending further review.
Harney County Court reviewed four responses to a grant-writing request for qualifications on March 18 and discussed which firms should handle Opportunity Zone 2.0 applications and broader grant-writing support.
The court received proposals from Park Resources, Global Grant Services, Healthy Sustainable Communities (HSC) and Catalyst (an unsolicited but locally active applicant). Commissioners highlighted differences: some firms emphasized federal disaster/facility grants while others offered a more holistic economic-development approach tailored to Harney County. Several court members favored Catalyst for Opportunity Zone application work because staff said Catalyst already has local relationships, investor interest and prior work in the county; one commissioner said the dollar amount for that scope is within a small-procurement threshold and would allow a quick start when the state issues Opportunity Zone 2.0 guidance.
For broader multi-project grant-writing services, the court opted to take more time: staff will follow up with references and consider whether HSC or Park Resources might partner with Catalyst on a combined scope. The court set a tentative selection follow-up date in early April and asked staff to invite Catalyst to present scope and timeline to the court (in-person or by Zoom) if the court proceeds with the Opportunity Zone engagement.
