Council supports poverty program

The Sisters City Council lent its support Thursday, February 12, to a project designed to reduce poverty by encouraging entrepreneurship in Central Oregon.

Alan Flood, an advocate for the Bend Community Action Team (CAT), asked the council to support a grant intended to reduce poverty in Central Oregon.

The request did not require any financial support from the city.

The council voted unanimously to sign a resolution declaring its support of CAT's $60,000 grant to aid the Oregon Microenterprise Network (OMEN).

"We understand the project is underfunded, but we'll do the best we can," Flood said.

Deschutes County, Jefferson County, Crook County, and the cities of Bend and Redmond have also signed resolutions declaring their support, Flood said.

Flood said the signing of the resolution will allow Sisters to participate in the program.

The grant is intended to provide technical assistance to OMEN in using small business as a means to reduce poverty, Flood said.

When the project goes forward, Central Oregon Interagency Network will financially screen applicants who want to participate in the program. Those who qualify will attend core courses at Central Oregon Community College on how to start, develop and manage a small business.

"If you can give a small business person ongoing support for one year, the chance they will be in business is 69 percent," Flood said.

The project coincides with the city's Strategic Action Plan for Economic Development. Flood said he will submit the grant in two weeks.