The 2025 Path to Success grant program is open
Published 4:00 pm Friday, January 24, 2025
- Moe Mart co-owners Whitney Minthorn, right, and Moe Soeum were among the winners in 2024 of four forgivable $20,000 loans from Pendleton’s Path to Success program to open a new downtown business. The Forage Apothecary, Herbal by Nature and Lock ‘N’ Nock Virtual Shooting Range rounded out the winners.
PENDLETON — Applications for Pendleton’s Path to Success grant program are open.
The Pendleton Development Commission and Pendleton Urban Renewal opened the annual business grant program Jan. 9 to help local entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Commissioners will select four winners each receiving a $20,000 forgivable loan to start or expand a retail or food and beverage business in downtown Pendleton.
Pendleton Urban Renewal Associate Director Charles Denight said the funding also helps cover inventory, furnishings and other essentials needed to run the business.
According to the Path to Success webpage, applicants must locate their retail or restaurant business in downtown Pendleton and invest at least $10,000 of their own money.
In addition to the business plan competition, Nixyaawii Community Financial Services is sponsoring a $2,500 grant challenge for Native businesses. To qualify for the Native entrepreneur grant, applicants must invest $500 of their own money.
As part of this challenge, applicants will attend a virtual business mentoring class via Zoom, courtesy of the Small Business Development Center, and create a business presentation to the selection committee.
The four winners of the 2024 forgivable loan from the city’s Path to Success program, who have opened up their businesses in downtown Pendleton, are Whitney Minthorn and Moe Serum of Moe Mart, Brandon Krenzler of Forage Apothecary, Mariha Falconer of Herbal by Nature and Chad Chamberlain of Lock-N-Nock Virtual Shooting Range.
The Pendleton Development Commission oversees Pendleton Urban Renewal, a government agency that provides financial assistance for new and expanded retail businesses, historic building renovations and new construction in the city.
In addition, the program is sponsored by the Pendleton Downtown Association, Blue Mountain Community College Small Business Development Center, Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, Nixyaawii Community Financial Services and Small Business Development Center.
The program supports small businesses by providing funding to boost economic development, revitalize the downtown area and expand the community’s financial market.
Path to Success applications are available online at https://pendletonurbanrenewal.com/pts/, or applicants can print and submit their application in person or by mail to Pendleton City Hall, 500 SW Dorion Ave.
The deadline to apply is March 10.
