Welcome to the Business Voice - the newsletter for Portland's Business District Associations. To unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of the page.

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Grant Forms Available
The Business District Grant packets were mailed to every active business district president on September 29th. Contact us at info@apnba.com for a copy of the BDA grant in Microsoft Word. The required orientation session is Tuesday, October 10, 2006 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Friendship Masonic Lodge, 5626 N.E. Alameda Street. (Corner of 57th & NE Sandy Blvd).

The City's Association Grant forms are also available to business district associations, chambers of commerce and other small non-profit associations. Email info@apnba.com for a copy of the Association grant in Microsoft Word. The required orientation session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at the Friendship Masonic Lodge, 5626 N.E. Alameda Street.

For more information see www.apnba.com/grants.

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Stormwater Discount
The Good News - Stormwater discounts will start sometime in late October. Announcements about how to apply will soon appear in utility bills and newspapers. Beside the discount of up to 35%, retro credits for up to the past 18 months are available for the eligible. The Bad News - rates are increasing July 1, 2006, and will appear in your next water bills.

To register for a workshop on ways to reduce the stormwater flowing into the sewer system from your roof and paved surfaces, log onto the Bureau of Environmental website, www.cleanriverrewards.com. If you have Excel, you can download a program to calculate how much you could save, based on the amount you divert from the sewer system. The calculations are for residential and/or commercial property.

Kudos to Nob Hill
NW 23rd Avenue is listed 14th of the 20 "Best North American Districts, Downtowns, and Neighborhoods" by Projects for Public Spaces, www.pps.org.

Projects decided what makes great places great is offering a variety of things to do in one spot -- the quality of a place then becomes more than the sum of its parts. "A park is good. A park with a fountain, playground, and popcorn vendor is better. A library across the street is even better, more so if they feature storytelling hours for kids and exhibits on local history. If there's a sidewalk café nearby, a bus stop, a bike trail, and an ice cream parlor, then you have what most people would consider a great place".

Nob Hill, with its collection of wonderful old houses, fine restaurants, great shops, colorful trolley, and twinkling trees qualifies as a great place. Congratulations Nob Hill!

The President Ponders - Patrick Donaldson

The crunch of leaves underfoot and the brisk morning air reminds us that the annual seasonal change from summer to fall is upon us. With the same predictability APNBA has once again been provided the opportunity to solicit proposals from our neighborhood business district associations for business district association grants to fund projects, processes and infrastructure improvements within Portland's thirty-two neighborhood business associations. If you qualify you should have received your packet by now.

To be eligible to receive a grant, you or a representative from your business district association must attend the Orientation meeting on Tuesday, October 10th. Contact either myself or Jean Baker for more details or access the APNBA web site for all the particulars.

Fall is in the air and so is the annual APNBA business district association grant program. Take advantage of this annual opportunity now!

Coming Events
October 14: Lloyd District's Crafting Event/Community Fundraiser from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Cost is $25.00. Bring own supplies. RSVP to Ann at 503-528-8515.

October 19: 3rd Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 PM Hollywood District. 7:30 PM Movie monster costume contest at the 42nd Street Station, just off 42nd and Sandy. Todd Ostergren: 503-282-4429.

Tell us about your event - Contact the Editor.

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