Each of the eight affected counties has created its own regional selection committee, and each committee has its own process. The committees’ insights and expertise ensure that recommended projects align with community priorities and address infrastructure, planning, and economic revitalization needs effectively. This localized decision-making process helps tailor recovery efforts to the specific demands and challenges of each affected area.
Why Selection Committees Are Regional
PIER regional selection committees are local (rather than statewide) to ensure that the specific needs and priorities of each community are met. The committees are made up of representatives from local governments and non-governmental organizations who have a better understanding of their community’s unique challenges and recovery needs.
Representation on Regional Selection Committees
Typically, local government representatives partner with community stakeholders to decide who sits on regional selection committees. The committees are designed to include representatives from various local entities, such as municipal governments, public agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
This inclusive approach ensures that a diverse range of perspectives and expertise are involved in evaluating and selecting projects, which promotes the fair and effective allocation of resources to meet the specific recovery needs of the community.
How Regional Selection Committees Make Decisions
To ensure that fair decisions are made, regional selection committees observe a structured and transparent evaluation process. Members use established criteria to assess each project proposal objectively. This includes considering a project’s alignment with community recovery needs, cost-effectiveness, and potential overall impact.
Regular meetings and open discussions allow for a thorough review of each application to guarantee that funding decisions are made based on merit and community benefit, rather than external influences or biases. All meetings where the selection committee decides to recommend a project for PIER are public, and the community is encouraged to provide input.
Regional Selection Committee Allocations and Resources
See how much funding each PIER regional selection committee is responsible for allocating to support recovery efforts:
*Linn and Marion counties combined their regional selection committee responsibilities.
Allocation of Funds to Counties
To date, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds have been allocated to counties based on the extent of damage and recovery needs outlined in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved action plan.
Jackson County has received the largest allocation at 32.9%, reflecting the significant effect of the 2020 Labor Day Disasters. Other counties — including Clackamas, Douglas, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion — received varying percentages of the total ($42,117,170), with amounts tailored to their specific recovery requirements and priorities.
How Funds Are Awarded
The distribution of CDBG-DR funds is based on an evaluation process that considers the project proposals’ alignment with recovery needs, the potential impact, and cost-effectiveness. Each regional selection committee reviews and scores applications using specific criteria, such as the project’s ability to address infrastructure gaps, promote economic revitalization, and enhance community resilience.
This systematic approach ensures that funding decisions are fair and that they effectively address the most critically affected areas.