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Astoria council discusses convening roundtable after local nonprofits report frozen federal grants
Summary
Councilors and community members discussed forming a cross-sector coalition to map local impacts of recent federal funding changes after a nonprofit reported a frozen USDA grant that could cut roughly $250,000 this fiscal year, risking staff layoffs and service reductions.
At the Feb. 20 special meeting, the Astoria City Council agreed to explore participating in a cross-sector roundtable to assess and respond to local impacts from recent changes in federal funding.
Councilor Davis introduced the idea after conversations with community members and suggested the city participate alongside the county, the local hospital and nonprofit and business partners. City Manager Spence volunteered to coordinate and reach out to partners.
Public commenter Mike Brosius described a concrete example: the North Coast Food Web reportedly expected a $500,000 USDA grant annually and had received roughly half of that so far this fiscal year; Brosius said the interruption left about $250,000 unfunded, putting a six-person staff at risk and threatening distribution and small-business supports tied to the organization's commercial kitchen.
A meeting participant outlined a three-step coalition plan: gather partners to quantify impacts, identify financing or private backstops for short-term needs, and prepare public outreach to explain community risks. Councilors expressed interest in being involved, and staff said they would coordinate next steps.
No formal action was taken; the item was introduced for future coordination and possible staff participation in the proposed coalition.
