Oregon’s business-friendly legislation and high-quality workforce make it a great state for aspiring and established entrepreneurs. If you’re an Oregon-based biz owner—or want to become one—check out this list of business grants and loans that are only available to companies that operate within Oregon.
Department or Agency: Business Oregon
Loan or Grant title: SBIR/STTR Application Support Grants and Matching Grants
Business Oregon offers technical assistance grants each budget cycle to support Oregon small businesses preparing federal applications for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Oregon offers $5,000 grants, called Phase 0 and 00, that can be used to pay for technical consultants, writers, reviewers, legal counsel, and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with SBIR and STTR grant preparation. Business Oregon also offers matching grants of up to $50,000 for companies that have received a Phase I award and grants of up to $100,000 for companies that have received a Phase II award.
Department or Agency: Business Oregon
Loan or Grant title: Oregon Business Development Fund (OBDF)
Business Oregon offers two revolving loan programs for Oregon businesses pledging to create jobs in targeted sectors: manufacturing, processing, or distribution. Preference is given to organizations in rural or distressed areas and to businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Loans are capped at $2 million with a maximum term of 20 years. Application fees, collateral, and other rules apply.
Department or Agency: Business Oregon
Loan or Grant title: Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund
The Entrepreneurial Development Loan Fund supports Oregon startups, micro-enterprises, and small businesses that plan to launch or expand in Oregon. While all business sectors are invited to apply, the program has specific eligibility guidelines, which include: 1) $1,500,000 in revenue in the calendar year prior to application, 2) Fewer than 25 full-time employees, and 3) at least 50% of the business must be owned by one or more individuals classified as severely disabled. Loans are capped at $1 million. Note that the amortization period must fall within the usable life of the assets being purchased with loan funds, not to exceed 10 years.
Department or Agency: Oregon Department of Energy
Loan or Grant title: Rural and Agricultural Energy Assistance Program
The Rural and Agriculture Energy Assistance Program offers grants to farms, ranches, and rural small businesses to help cover the costs of energy audits. Audits are performed by approved assessors who review energy use, as well as buildings, processes, and equipment. The goal is to find ways to be more energy efficient. The grant program covers 75% of the audit expense, with applicants paying the remaining 25% of the costs. Energy assessment costs vary depending on size and scope but typically range between $4,000 and $8,500.
Department or Agency: Business Oregon
Loan or Grant title: Commercialization Gap Fund
The Commercialization Gap Fund (CGF) exists to advance science and research-based innovations in Oregon, bridging early-stage funding gaps at companies in targeted industries. This fund prioritizes companies engaged in advanced manufacturing, active lifestyle, bioscience, medical devices, and natural resource industries. CGF anticipates that investments will further unlock other private funding for the organizations it supports. To be eligible, applicant companies must be based in Oregon, be pre-commercialized, and operate within the fund’s priority industries.
Department or Agency: Business Oregon
Loan or Grant title: Oregon Royalty Loan Program
The Oregon Royalty Loan Program supports business projects that aren’t yet profitable but have potential. The program offers up to $1 million in venture capital funding to businesses in traded sectors that commit to creating or retaining a certain number of jobs.
Department or Agency: Prosper Portland
Loan or Grant title: Small Business Loans
Prosper Portland offers small business loans to businesses that wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a bank or credit union loan. Eligible businesses can get loans from $25,000 to $250,000 to use for a variety of business purposes. To qualify, companies must have been in operation for at least two years, must be located in Portland, and must have been profitable for at least a year.
Department or Agency: Prosper Portland
Loan or Grant title: Commercial Property Loans
Prosper Portland also offers Commercial Property Loans to businesses that wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a bank or credit union loan. Eligible companies can take advantage of three different options: 1) a Predevelopment Loan between $25,000 and $500,000 to use on soft costs associated with exploring a real estate project, 2) a tenant improvement loan from $100,000 to $2 million to use on improving commercial or manufacturing spaces, or 3) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing between $250,000 and $5 million.
Department or Agency: Prosper Portland
Loan or Grant title: Property Investment Program
The Property Investment Program is a matching grant program available to businesses that need help making tenant improvements or large-scale improvements to buildings. Through the program, businesses can get 50% matching funds for their approved projects in certain districts, up to $50,000 (and $75,000 for the Interstate Corridor TIF District).
Department or Agency: City of Eugene
Loan or Grant title: Downtown Loans
The city of Eugene offers business loans from $75,000 to $500,000 to businesses committed to investing in the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Companies can use the funds for accessibility projects, building rehabilitation or renovation, facade enhancements, tenant improvements, and more.
Department or Agency: City of Eugene
Loan or Grant title: River Loans
The city of Eugene offers business loans from $75,000 to $500,000 to businesses committed to investing in the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. Companies can use the funds for accessibility projects, building rehabilitation or renovation, facade enhancements, tenant improvements, and more.
Department or Agency: City of Eugene
Loan or Grant title: Facade Improvement Loans
Businesses in downtown Eugene can get Facade Improvement Loans to cover the costs of cleaning, repair, and replacement to their storefronts or facades. There is no minimum loan amount; the amounts vary.
Department or Agency: City of Eugene
Loan or Grant title: Business Growth Loans
Eugene offers Business Growth Loans between $75,000 and $500,000 to new and existing businesses in the area. Companies can use the funds to invest in growth projects, cover working capital and inventory purchases, and buy machinery and equipment.
Apply here.
Department or Agency: City of Eugene
Loan or Grant title: Business Sign Loans
Eugene businesses can get loans of up to $10,000 to replace or improve their business signs. The repayment period is up to three years with 0% interest.
Department or Agency: City of Salem
Loan or Grant title: Fairview URA Grant Program
The city of Salem offers a matching grant program in the Fairview Urban Renewal Area (URA) to help businesses finance building improvements, new construction, or equipment purchases. Eligible businesses can get a 20% matching grant toward their project costs up to $300,000.
Department or Agency: City of Salem
Loan or Grant title: Riverfront Downtown Capital Improvement Grant Program
The city of Salem offers a matching grant program in the Riverfront Downtown area to businesses that need help financing construction or renovation projects. Companies can get up to 50% of their eligible project costs covered, up to $300,000.
Department or Agency: City of Salem
Loan or Grant title: Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area Strategic Project Grant Program
This program gives grants to businesses in Salem’s Riverfront Downtown area to improve their building safety and security to address homelessness. Companies can get up to $30,000 to use on security fencing/gates, exterior building lighting or security systems, trash/recycling enclosures, landscaping, interior lighting for storefronts, and building entrance improvements/
Department or Agency: City of Salem
Loan or Grant title: West Salem Redevelopment Grant Program
The city of Salem offers a matching grant program to help businesses in the West Salem Urban Renewal Area finance construction or renovation projects for commercial, industrial, or mixed uses. The maximum grant amount is $300,000.
