Westminster accepts $250,000 Jobs First grant to advance Little Saigon Blueprint projects

The Westminster City Council on Aug. 13 unanimously approved acceptance of a $250,000 State Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative grant intended to implement elements of the Little Saigon Blueprint for Economic Vitality. Council action authorized the city manager to execute the agreement, convert a part-time Little Saigon outreach coordinator position to a full-time grant-funded role, and amend the fiscal year budget and salary schedules to accommodate the grant-funded work.

Why it matters: The grant packages state funding through a regional allocation and is administered in this round by Charitable Ventures on behalf of the Orange County Business Council. The award is intended to advance targeted economic and place‑making strategies in the Little Saigon district — activities that public speakers at the meeting said would support local businesses and tourism.

What the grant covers: Staff described four project areas funded by the award: converting the outreach coordinator position from part time to full time, district branding and marketing work, a pilot ‘‘soap and water’’ cleaning and beautification program for businesses and sidewalks, and limited street furniture/landscape improvements along Bolsa Avenue. Staff said roughly $250,000 was awarded and the city would also use a matching contribution (a previously offered Wells Fargo donation was cited as part of the funding picture) to support the outreach coordinator position.

Council action and staff direction: The council voted 5-0 to accept the award, authorized the city manager to execute the agreement, and adopted resolutions to amend the city’s full-time and part-time salary schedules so the position could be converted and funded by the grant. The council also amended the fiscal year budget to appropriate the $250,000 of grant revenue and directed staff to coordinate with the cultural arts center for civic‑arts engagement tied to the initiative.

Quotes from staff and advocates: In presenting the item, city staff summarized the Little Saigon Blueprint and said the awarded activities were the implementable priorities that matched the grant requirements. ‘‘The title of our grant application was Westminster’s Little Saigon Blueprint for Economic Vitality and Quality of Place,’’ a staff presenter said during the item. Community members and council members who had previously supported Little Saigon planning welcomed the award as a way to accelerate cleanup, marketing and small capital improvements.

Next steps: Staff will execute the grant agreement, post the outreach coordinator position on the city’s employment schedule as a full-time, grant-funded role and begin the pilot cleaning program and branding activities with community input. Council directed staff to work with the cultural arts center on civic-arts engagement related to the project.

Ending: The funding is framed by staff and supporters as a near-term investment to help Little Saigon businesses and present district improvements to visitors, while the county-level dispute over the $1 million grant and other legal questions remain separate issues that the council continues to monitor.