COVID-19 Small Business Resources
Business survival and retention is a top priority. We all want to emerge from the other side of this with the ability o restore our businesses, livelihoods, and economy.
Reaching out countywide, Columbia County Economic Team will be communicating with you regularly.
Please bookmark us and visit often for updates.
Daily Updates
LOCAL
June 3, 2020
CCET Enews
STATE
May 14, 2020 The Governor has started re-opening Oregon. Press release
NATIONAL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created the Farmers to Families Food Box program to help workforces who have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities. The program will fund $3 billion to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.
The Federal Reserve announced that it establishing a Main Street Lending Program to support small and medium sized businesses that were unable to access the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or that require additional financial support after receiving other relief. Main Street loans are not forgivable.
Phase One Reopening Guidance
This information has been updated effective May 15, 2020. We will continue to keep this page updated as we receive new information.
Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, Breweries, Brewpubs, Wineries, Tasting Rooms and Distilleries
Guidance for Personal Services
Guidance for Outdoor Recreation
General Guidance for Employers
Mask and Face Covering Guidance
Here is a series of videos from webinars on the practicalities of interpreting state rules and guidance that be applicable and very helpful for you in re-opening your business.
The recordings are available here:
Reopening Retail (Skip forward to 60 minute mark)
Reopening Restaurants/Bars/Tasting Rooms (Skip forward to 5 minute mark.)
Reopening Personal Services (Skip forward to 4:00 minute mark.)
Coronavirus Funding Options
Small Business Association Funding Options
We know business owners have suffered significant economic loss during this pandemic, and we want to help by providing timely and relevant funding information Here’s an updated list of resources for loans and grant funding that are available during COVID-19. We encourage you to explore all options and to let us know how we can help.
For specific questions, please reach out to the local small business specialist here in Columbia County, Mark Ellsworth – ellsworth@portofcolumbiacounty.org.
Grants
Oregon Small Business Stabilization Grants
Finder.com – Local, State, Federal and Private Grants for Small Business Owners
Facebook Small Business Grant Program – Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate. The application process is not open yet and we will share more details as they become available.
Pamplin Media Marketing Grant – Pamplin Media has established a $1million marketing grant fund to assist local businesses with their advertising during these challenging times.
Restaurant Employee Relief Funds
Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Local Small Business Specialist
Email: ellsworth@portofcolumbiacounty.org
Small Business Navigator
Small Business Solutions Video Series courtesy of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce
SBA Guidance & Resources
Small Business Development Center Resources
The PCC SBDC is available to assist you in assessing the appropriate actions for your business. Please email: sbdc@pcc.edu if you need assistance in this planning process, or if you have any questions regarding the guidelines.
SBDC COVID-19 Business Resources
Information for Employers
State of Oregon Employment Department- The health and safety of workplaces is of utmost importance to the Oregon Employment Department. This information provides general guidance to employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
This web page will be updated as more information becomes available. The Oregon Employment Department is working with partner agencies nationwide and the U.S. Department of Labor to ask for additional unemployment benefits options related to COVID-19.
Columbia County Worksource Office: 503-397-4995.
Please note: The office is currently staffed to receive phone calls but the lobby is not open to the general public.
Reduced Hours via Workshare. Work Share provides an alternative for larger employers who may be facing the prospect of a lay off situation. With Work Share, instead of reducing staff, an employer reduces the hours of work for a group of workers. Partial Unemployment Insurance benefits are then paid to supplement workers’ reduced wages.
Permanent Layoffs: Rapid Response Assistance – If you are considering a long-term or permanent layoff of workers, contact the WorkSource center for rapid response assistance. Local Rapid Response teams can help you navigate through this challenging process and assist with the development and implementation of a transition strategy.
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Below are the recommended strategies for employers to use now:
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
- Separate sick employees
- Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
- Perform routine environmental cleaning
- Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps
- Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel.
- Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from designated countries with risk of community spread of Coronavirus, and information for aircrew, can be found on the CDC website.
Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:
- Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
- If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
Local Partners & Resources
Local Credit Unions & Loan Assistance
Wauna Credit Union. – Wauna Credit Union is an SBA-approved lender. Click here to apply for the SBA PPP Loan.
Wauna is currently providing a variety of low-cost borrowing options, which may help contribute to your ability to cope and maintain the necessities of life for you and your families during and following the coronavirus pandemic:
- 0% Visa Balance Transfer promotion (extended through June 30th , 2020)
- Current Loan Rebate promotion (90 days no payment, $500 cash back)
- EZ$ Loan (up to $1,100)* and EZ$ Premium (up to $2,600)*
- Credit card limit increases
- Current HELOC promotion
SBA Payroll Protection Loan Program – Round Two Applications
- The SBA PPP loan program will again begin accepting applications Monday, April 27.
- We expect this round of funding to again be depleted quickly. Current InRoads business members should send an email to payrollprotection@inroadscu.org to receive a link to a secure application.
- Completed applications will be processed in the order received although we cannot guarantee funding due to high demand nationwide.
Member Assistance
During this unprecedented time, InRoads continues to be a resource for our members and our communities. To help you navigate through any financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve put new programs in place including*:
- Emergency Assistance Loans: A zero interest loan up to $2,500 and no payments for 90 days to assist existing InRoads members to pay bills, rent, cover groceries, or other financial needs. Click here to apply.
- Personal Loans: We’ve lowered the rates on new personal loans to help those who may be seeking a little extra security in their wallets right now. We’re also offering no payments for 90 days. Click here to apply.
- Skip Payment: If you have an existing InRoads loan that qualifies, you may be able to skip payments for two months with no skip payment fee.
- Pay loans by phone: We are currently waiving all pay by phone fees.
- Rewards Checking requirements: We will waive the 10 debit card purchases per cycle requirement to receive rewards during this time.
- Business Assistance Loans: Email us at business.assistance@inroadscu.org to request assistance with your current InRoads business loan(s) during this time.
We are here to work with you. Have a need that’s not listed? Reach out via email at member.service@inroadscu.org, by phone at 503.397.2376, or our LIVE app and we’ll talk more.
Local Business Advocacy and Chambers of Commerce
Local Goverment Resources
Utilities
State Resources
Here’s a list of relevant state resources to help navigate your business through this crisis. We’ll keep this page updated and add or remove relevant and timely information as needed.
We encourage you to explore your options, and don’t hesitate to reach out with additional questions. We are here for you – let us know how we can help!
Governor Kate Brown COVID-19 Resources for Oregonians
Oregon State Chamber of Commerce
Oregon Economic Development Association
Northwest Grocery Association Guidelines
National & International Resources
Here’s a list of national resources to help navigate your business through this crisis, and to help you stay informed about COVID-19 at the national level We’ll keep this page updated with timely and relevant information as we receive it.