PENDLETON — As the city of Pendleton’s Path to Success grant program enters its fourth year, winners looked back on how the program helped transform their business ideas into downtown capital ventures.

The Pendleton Development Commission, in partnership with Pendleton Urban Renewal, opened applications for the annual business grant program from Jan. 9 to March 10.

Pendleton Urban Renewal Associate Director Charles Denight said the program not only gives aspiring business owners a leg up but also helps revitalize the downtown area, supports economic expansion, boosts the community’s financial market and fills vacant storefronts.

“ It was really helpful,” Moe Mart co-owner Moe Soeum said while working behind the counter of his store. “Since we were just starting a business we didn’t have a lot of funds. So that really helped out a lot with payroll, expenses and all our equipment. ”

Soeum and his partner, Whitney Minthorn, won back-to-back Path to Success grants — one in 2023 for Moe’s Tea, which serves a variety of boba tea flavors, specialty drinks and grab-and-go pastries, and another in 2024 for Moe’s Mart, an Asian grocery store that sells fresh Southeast Asian vegetables, fruits, snacks, sauces and spices.

Each year commissioners select four winners to receive a $20,000 forgivable loan to kickstart their business in downtown Pendleton.

Applicants must locate their retail or restaurant business in the area and invest at least $10,000 of their own.

Denight said one of the challenges new businesses face is struggling with money.

The grants helps alleviate some of that financial burden while owners finds their footing.

“Not having enough of it to really carry owners through the new business period because they can’t anticipate everything that might happen,” Denight said. “Sometimes things happen that increase your cost or lower your revenue and so you need capital available to carry you through those periods.”

Applicants must attend a virtual business mentoring class via Zoom, courtesy of the Small Business Development Center, and create a business presentation to the selection committee.

“ They give you help in developing the business plan to give you an idea of what’s going on,” Rick Vicek, co-owner of Stitches Mercantile, said. “So there’s a lot of support from the back end before you get the grant. And it should open your eyes as to what you need to look for. And help develop that so that people have an opportunity to be successful.”

Vicek and his wife Judy won the grant in 2023. The couple own Stitches Mercantile, a fabric store that sells sewing supplies, garments, fabrics and quilts and offers classes.

Denight said the program also provides applicants with advisors to help participants flesh out their ideas and complete their business plan.

Once the entrepreneurs start their businesses, Denight said, they can continue to receive advice from advisors at the Small Business Development Center.

Additionally, the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association also offer support.

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.

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 are sponsors of the program.

“ Don’t be afraid,” Judy Vicek said. “If you have an idea or if you just want to be an entrepreneur and open up a business, go for it. I think that there is everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

The Path to Success application deadline is March 10.

Path to Success applications are available online at pendletonurbanrenewal.com/pts/, or applicants can print and submit their application in person or by mail to Pendleton City Hall, 500 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton, OR, 97801.

What they said

“ Don’t be afraid. If you have an idea or if you just want to be an entrepreneur and open up a business, go for it. I think that there is everything to gain and nothing to lose.”

{p style=”text-align: right;”}— Judy Vicek, co-owner of Stitches Mercantile in Pendleton