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Small businesses, nonprofits ask SBF for events, refurbishments and wayfinding to boost Oroville downtown
Summary
Applicants including Cultivate Power Fighting Arts, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Oroville Downtown Business Association presented grant requests for events, building refurbishment and wayfinding; the committee discussed match levels, eligibility and potential partial awards.
Several small businesses and nonprofits presented to the SBF steering committee seeking one‑time capital support for downtown activation and historic preservation.
Gerald Thompson, who identified himself as coach and a school board member, asked the committee for $50,000 to launch the Feather River Grappling Series, a recurring jiu‑jitsu tournament the applicants say could draw hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators per year. "We're looking at 4 to 500 competitors ... you're looking at drawing anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 people per event," Thompson said, and proposed donating 10% of proceeds to the Oroville Youth Forge nonprofit.
Trevor Coates, worthy president of Fraternal Order of Eagles 196, requested $75,000 to refurbish the historic FOE building at 2010 Montgomery Street, describing the building's 6,200 square feet of exterior wall and volunteer commitments plus $3,750 in confirmed matching funds. ODBA and the Chamber presented place‑making and wayfinding packages featuring period street signs, a digital hub and marketing tools; applicants and some committee members discussed whether marketing line items (salaries) fit the NOFA criteria for one‑time funding.
Committee members repeatedly emphasized preference for one‑time capital expenditures over requests that could create lasting operational costs. Several presenters said they had strong volunteer support or matching funds well above the committee’s minimums; staff advised members that the current NOFA totals are limited and that many worthy projects will be reconsidered when additional SBF funding is released.
Next steps: applicants that received conditional funding will be asked to provide final budgets and implementation schedules; applicants without funding this cycle remain eligible for future consideration.
