The City of Grants Pass is now accepting applications for five open positions on a newly established Small Business Task Force, a temporary advisory body designed to evaluate local business conditions and recommend strategies aimed at strengthening the city’s economic foundation.
City officials have indicated that the task force will serve for a limited duration, with appointments expected to last no longer than 12 months from the date members are selected. Two additional seats on the task force will be filled by representatives from the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Grants Pass, bringing the total number of participants to seven.
The creation of the Small Business Task Force reflects a broader effort by city leadership to examine the challenges and opportunities facing Grants Pass businesses across a range of industries. Local governments throughout Oregon have increasingly focused on economic resilience in recent years, particularly as small businesses navigate shifting consumer trends, rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and evolving regulatory landscapes. The Grants Pass initiative is intended to provide a structured forum for business owners and community advocates to assess current conditions and identify practical recommendations.
According to the city’s announcement, the task force will explore local business stability and evaluate potential strategies to support long-term sustainability. The group is also expected to outline key topics that could shape a comprehensive business support plan for the future. While the task force itself will not enact policy, its findings and recommendations may inform future council discussions and municipal decision-making related to economic development.
Applicants are encouraged from a wide cross-section of the local economy. The city is seeking business owners representing diverse sectors, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, technology, agriculture, finance, food and beverage, transportation, and at-large representation. This broad scope is intended to ensure that the task force reflects the varied interests and operational realities of the Grants Pass business community.
By drawing participants from multiple industries, the city aims to gather insights into how different sectors are performing and where common concerns may overlap. Issues such as workforce availability, infrastructure needs, permitting processes, supply chain pressures, and access to capital are among the types of topics that similar task forces in other municipalities have addressed in recent years. Grants Pass officials have signaled that the group’s role will be exploratory and advisory, focused on gathering data, hearing from stakeholders, and formulating recommendations rather than implementing direct regulatory changes.
Applications for the five open positions are available at the City Administration Office, located at 101 N.W. A Street in Grants Pass. Interested individuals may also complete and submit an application online through the city’s official portal here.
All completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The Grants Pass City Council is scheduled to review applicants and make appointments during its regular meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
The establishment of the Small Business Task Force represents a time-limited effort to gather structured input from the business community. City leaders have emphasized the importance of participation from owners and operators who can provide firsthand knowledge of the economic environment in Grants Pass, helping shape a forward-looking approach to local business support.