COVID-19 Resources for Business Operators

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Economic Development Webinar: "Cash Planning for Small Businesses"

Sept. 27, 2021: Do you ever find yourself asking “If I’m making a profit, why is my bank account is so low?”Cash planning and management is the key to keeping profits flowing and your bank account full. On Thursday, Oct. 7 at 9 am, attend a “Cash Planning for Small Businesses” webinar to help you better understand your cash flow, take steps to manage your cash and keep your business strong. This Economic Development webinar is presented by Oregon SBDC Capital Access Team. Join at https://Bizcenter.zoom.us/j/93888894036

Clackamas County Business Grant Relief

June 18, 2021: Clackamas County is offering another $600,000 in grants to small businesses located in Clackamas County that have been adversely affected by economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  These grants, provided in partnership with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), will be for a maximum of $7,500. 

In order to be eligible, a business must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be headquartered in Clackamas County and have its principal operations in Clackamas County.
  2. If required by Oregon law to be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State to do business in Oregon, is so registered.
  3.  Is either for-profit or an entity tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  4. During the Performance Period, incurred necessary expenditures due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including those necessary expenditures incurred in response to Grantee’s return to an “Extreme Risk” level effective as of April 30, 2021.

Applications are now available online at mesopdx.org/grants and will be accepted until 5 pm on June 23. All completed applications received by the deadline will be considered. 

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Program 

April 28, 2021: U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on April 30 and open applications on Monday, May 3 (9 am) for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Established under the American Rescue Plan, the program provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments (bakeries, breweries, food carts, etc.). This program provides restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss (up to $10 million per business). Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023.  For the first 21 days  the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the program here.    The portal to register and begin the application process is here. 

Virtual Workshop

April 28, 2021:  The Oregon Employment Dept. is presenting a virtual workshop to discuss economic trends and how they might impact small businesses. The workshop takes place on Thursday, May 6, at 9 am.  No pre-registration is required. You can learn more & join the free meeting here. 

 

Commercial Rent Relief Program

April 21: The Oregon Legislative Emergency Board has allocated $100 million to fund a new Commercial Rent Relief Program to provide financial assistance to small businesses and landlords adversely affected by economic conditions as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program targets landlords with tenant businesses with 100 or fewer employees who are behind on lease payments or any forgiven base rent amounts that have been negotiated due to COVID-19. The program requires both business tenant and property owner participation, and includes additional protections for tenants, such as non-eviction clauses, and a waiver of penalties and interest.  Applications are open April 22-May 6. >>Learn more/apply

April 18: PPE for Small Business Operators

Clackamas County is providing PPE (masks, gloves) to businesses and daycare centers with 500 or fewer employees.   These are available at no charge ; businesses and non-profits headquartered and/or with principal operations in Clackamas County are eligible.  Clackamas County encourages inquiries from minority-owned, woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses, as well as sole proprietorships. The County is committed to ensuring fair, equitable and careful distribution of PPE to local businesses.

To learn more or request PPE, visit  clackamas.us/coronavirus/request-ppe, contact Cindy Moore (cmoore@clackamas.us) or contact Business and Community Services, Economic Development Division, by phone at 503-742-4BIZ or by email at 4biz@clackamas.us.

March 25: Chamber Hosts Manufacturing Industrial Council

Mar. 10, 2021 - Join fellow local area manufacturing and industrial peers on Thursday, March 25, noon-1 pm, for this quarterly forum , which includes a virtual tour of Wilsonville's Eaton Corporation. This virtual event is sponsored by the Wilsonville Area Chamber of Commerce and is designed to provide actionable, competitive-edge content for manufacturing & industrial business professionals.  You can register here. 

March 10: Paycheck Protection Program Webinar

Mar. 3, 2021 - The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

For Smaller Businesses:
Until March 9, the program is open only for businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

For all:
Wauna Federal Credit Union hosts a webinar “How to submit a Successful PPP Funding Application for the Latest Round” on March 10, 10-11 am.  Learn more about the basics of applying, loan forgiveness, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and more. Click here to register.

March 17: Small Business Pandemic Recovery Funding Options

Mar. 3, 2021 - A second webinar, scheduled for March 17, 9-10 am, provides new information for small business operators seeking pandemic-related funding opportunities. Titled “Let’s Revisit Small Business Pandemic Recovery Funding Options: What’s NEW, What’s CHANGED, What’s NEXT,” the program details available funding options, what has changed and what might be around the corner to support business recovery and resilience.   The program, presented the Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC), also presents an overview of SBDC’s business recovery and resiliency resources. It doesn’t appear pre-registration is required. Zoom link here.

New Business Oregon Program

Mar. 3 , 2021- A new Business Oregon program has been established to help small business tenants that have 100 or fewer employees. The $100 million program, funded by the Oregon Legislative Emergency Board, is to provide protections for tenants, such as non-eviction clauses, and a waiver of penalties and interest.

The program includes grants of up to $100,000 to building owners to cover outstanding lease payments from small business tenants that are behind on rent due to COVID-19.

The program opens Monday, March 8, and requires the participation of both the tenant and the property owner. The application period will be open for two weeks, with eligible submissions chosen by a lottery system that ensures geographic distribution across all regions of the state. More program information and eligibility details are available here.

City of Wilsonville Restaurant Relief

Dec. 10, 2020 - In recognition of the devastating effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the restaurant industry, the Wilsonville City Council approved an $80,000 Restaurant Relief Program to provide temporary financial assistance to help restaurateurs overcome the loss of revenue.  One tier provides grants to full-service sit-down restaurants with wait staff, where orders ar delivered to the table.  and bussed.  Smaller grants are available for general take-out, self-service restaurants not served by a wait staff.  Applications are available on Dec. 11 and must be completed and returned by Dec. 31. 

Clackamas County Small Business Grants

Nov. 25, 2020 - Clackamas County is offering $1 million in grants to small businesses with 25 employees or less and childcare providers located in Clackamas County that have been adversely affected by economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Half of the $1 million will be used for small businesses and half — $500,000 — is set aside for grants to childcare providers.  Any business-related operating expenses, not covered by previous grant/assistance dollars, are eligible for grant funding.  Businesses that received a grant in an earlier phase of this program may receive another grant as long as they can demonstrate additional need.  Applications are available online  and will be accepted through December 5, 2020. All completed applications received by the deadline will be considered.  >>Learn more

Statewide Small Business Emergency Grant Application Opens Nov. 19

Nov. 19, 2020 - First Come, First Serve Grants.  Governor Brown and the Oregon legislature recently approved $20 million more to Business Oregon’s Emergency Business Assistance Grant Fund. Applications for this funding will be made available TODAY on Business Oregon's website so check the website early and submit your application quickly. The application goes live at 3pm today and applications will be processed on a first-come-first-serve basis with a geographic overlay to ensure statewide distribution of proceeds.  We expect portal to be closed within 24-48 hours due to high demand, so we encourage you to apply today!

Clackamas Co./Washington Co. COVID-19 Relief Grants

Nov. 2, 2020:  Small business operators (25 employees or less) in Clackamas County may be eligible for COVID-19 CARES ACT relief grants. 
Apply by Nov. 6:  https://www.mesopdx.org/grants/

The Washington County Board of Commissioners is also providing another round of grants to small businesses in partnership with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO). 

Small Business Workshop

Oct. 12, 2020 - This free webinar, hosted by YGH Architecture, outlines ways for eateries to extend outdoor dining into the winter months while meeting social distancing guidance. YGH will provide insight on how to create outdoor seating that attracts diners and emphasizes safety and comfort during the rainy season. The seminar takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9-10 am: Pregister to get link   

 

Virtual Townhall:  Diversity Recruitment and Retention in the Workplace

Join Clackamas Workforce Partnership, in partnership with Clackamas County and Partners in Diversity, for a panel discussion on diversity recruitment and retention in the workplace. Participants will be part of the discussion around better recruitment and retention practices for businesses in Clackamas County, focusing on engaging and keeping talented Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).  Your business may already have a robust commitment to diversity and inclusion; these are best practices that we intend to celebrate and hope to pass on throughout our community.   Panelists include Carol Duncan (Owner, General Sheet Metal), Stephen Nakana, PhD. (Social Equity Program Manager, Port of Portland) and JJ Peters (Recruitment Manager, Clackamas County).  This virtual event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:30-9 am.  Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModOyopzMqEtBYHmahm6V-RnkpWbsMrOv2

Temporary Paid Leave Program

Sept. 18, 2020 - The State's COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to people who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not qualify for COVID-19-related paid sick leave (or do not have access to COVID-19-related paid time off).
Workers who qualify will get a $120 per-day payment, up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time you need to quarantine or isolate.

State Providing Free Masks and Gloves for Small Businesses

Sept. 16, 2020 - Governor Brown announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective supplies. The state of Oregon is fulfilling orders at no charge until resources are depleted.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are headquartered in Oregon with principal operations in Oregon are eligible. Business Oregon — the state’s economic development agency — and the Department of Administrative Services are collaborating to create the order and distribution process. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees will receive a box of 200 gloves and 100 masks, with larger businesses receiving up to 500 masks and 800 gloves. For now, businesses are limited to one order, with additional orders possible at a later date depending on availability

In addition to the small business program, the Early Learning Division (ELD) is providing supplies such as gloves, disinfecting wipes, masks and more to child care providers around the state as part of the effort. The Governor set aside $1.3 million from the federal Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund to purchase supplies for this critical service. Child care providers have been operating under emergency conditions since March and are following increased safety and health guidelines. Child care providers approved by ELD to operate Emergency Child Care are eligible to order supplies and will need a license/provider number to do so.

The order form is online and is now accepting orders. Businesses and child care providers can access the form here: https://supplyconnector.org/states/oregon/free-ppe/

Business Recovery Center Social Media Workshops

Sept. 17, 2020 - The Business Recovery Center is hosting a series of five online workshops geared toward helping small businesses develop social media best practices. The workshopts include “Create Vibrant Content” on Sept. 23,  "Weave the Best Web(site) for Your Business”  on Oct. 14, " Blog Your Way to Business Success” on Oct. 28, " Facing into Facebook” on Nov. 11 and "eBlasts Made Easy” on Nov. 25.  All workshops are 7:30-9 am. Click here to register or learn more.
 

The Oregon CARES Fund for Black Relief + Resiliency

Sept. 3, 2020 -  The Oregon Cares Fund is a $62 million targeted cash investment from the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund that provides economic relief for the Black community, among Oregon’s most vulnerable groups due to systemic divestment and disparities widened and exacerbated by COVID-19.  The Oregon Cares Fund provides cash grants to Black individuals and families, Black-owned businesses, and Black-led nonprofit organizations who have experienced financial adversity due to COVID-19. Individuals and families may be eligible to receive grants of $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000, depending on financial impacts of COVID-19 and family size. Businesses or non-profits with employees will receive grants based  upon of the amount of lost revenue and COVID-19-related expenses. To learn more and apply, click here. 

Washington County CARES Nonprofit Emergency Assistance Program

Aug. 31, 2020 - Up to $5 million is being awarded to eligible non-profit organizations serving Washington County. One-time grants of up to $100,000 are being distributed to help offset significant, temporary service impacts. Funding will prioritize culturally-specific and/or culturally responsive organizations. 

Awards depend on the size of organizations being funded; Funds must be used for COVID-19 related costs in alignment with allowed expenditures, which include lost revenue, operating expenses and recovery strategies.  For complete eligibility criteria, or to apply, click here.   

Washington County Small Business Assistance Grants

Aug. 31, 2020 -  Washington County is distributing $154,000 in CARES Act funding to qualifying Wilsonville/Washington County businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees. The $3000 grants are targeted towards small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.  To review eligibility criteria or apply (by Sept. 4), please visit www.mesopdx.org/grants.  For additional support, contact the nearest Business Recovery Center in Washington County. 

Cultural Support Program Now Open to Grant Applicants

Aug. 21, 2020: Apply by Aug. 24 for Oregon’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Cultural Support program, which is allocating $25.9 million to Oregon cultural organizations facing losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Funding was made available through a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture recently approved by the Emergency Board of the Oregon Legislature.  Eligible recipients include, but are not limited to, cultural institutions, county fairgrounds, cultural entities within federally recognized Indian Tribes based in Oregon, and festivals and community event organizations. Learn more on the Cultural Trust website. 

Credit Unions Small Business Relief Fund

Aug. 21, 2020: $1.5 million in emergency grants is available for small businesses state-wide with $100,000 allocated Clackamas and Washington counties. Businesses with under 25 FTE that haven’t received PPP or EIDL can apply for grants up to $12,500 from the following Credit Unions:  

Trailhead Credit Union
Abby Stage, VP of Lending
503-542-9502

Point West Credit Union
Darlene Amacher Conner,  Grant Application Administration
503-504-5432

Free Face Coverings Available to Clackamas County Businesses

Aug. 21, 2020: Face coverings are required statewide  in indoor public spaces (and outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained).  To help reduce any barriers that local small businesses might have in complying with this requirement, the Clackamas County Emergency Operations Center offers face coverings at no charge to small businesses based in Clackamas County.

To request face coverings, please visit our website at www.clackamas.us/coronavirus/ppe-requests or call 503-650-3373.  Small businesses  owned by minorities, women, veterans or by those with disabilities, and emerging businesses, are prioritized for receiving face coverings, in accordance with the Oregon Equity Framework in COVID-19 Response and Recovery.

Washington County Establishes Business Recovery Centers

Washington County has used CARES Act dollars to fund four Business Recovery Centers (BRC) throughout the County; a location in Tualatin serves the south-metro area, including Wilsonville. The BRC is a one-stop-shop where Wilsonville businesses can access funding opportunities (local, State, Federal, CDFI), receive training on compliance with Governor’s guidelines, and obtain coaching on how to adapt to the “new normal”.  Assistance includes replacing disrupted supply chains, obtaining sanitizing supplies and PPE, pursuing new revenue streams, and addressing workforce needs.

Wilsonville business can schedule a virtual or in-person appointment at the BRC by contacting BRCconsultant@tualatinchamber.com or (503) 692-0780.

Clackamas County Small Business Grants

Via Clackamas County, June 5: To financially support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Clackamas County will offer Small Business Assistance Grants to businesses with 25 or fewer employees in unincorporated areas of the county in mid-June.  

The grant program is designed to provide relief to some of the county’s hardest hit businesses. The County encourages applications from businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. 

The grants, provided in cooperation with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), will total $245,000, with individual grants starting at $2,500. 

Grant applications will be accepted in mid-June; exact dates will be announced soon. Only applications received by the deadline will be considered. A short application period will help the county get money to business owners quickly.

Applications will be available online at https://www.clackamas.us/business.  

Businesses with questions are invited to contact Clackamas County Business & Economic Development Coordinator Jon Legarza at jlegarza@clackamas.us or Clackamas County’s Business and Community Services Department at 503-742-4BIZ or 4biz@clackamas.us.  

Requests for Expanded Outdoor Seating Areas

Added May 28: The City is expediting review and waiving fees for food and drink establishments seeking expanded outdoor seating areas on private property or on public easements. This is typically allowed if the area and activities conform to ADA standards and do not interfere with public uses, safety, access or circulation. (WC 4.116 (.05) ) Generally, there needs to be a 4’ clear path where ADA is maintained.

Permits, processed in 1-2 days, are reviewed as a Class I Administrative Review and require property owners or their representatives signature. Requests musts adhere to OHA and applicable County standards. 

  • Permit applications can be accessed here.

Please include in your proposal:  A simple description or drawing on top of an existing site plan or aerial photo to show where the additional seating or queuing will be located (or other temporary setup). Please show how outdoor seating  avoids inferring with access or circulation by blocking a drive aisle (ADA curb cut or access route, for example).

Additional Programs and Resources

Added June 19:  Multnomah County's website has a great resource page for businesses in the process of re-opening. 

Added May 22: This Supply Connector resource is Business Oregon’s collaborative project to connect businesses and communities with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturers and suppliers to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees safe.

Added May 13: On May 7, the Governor announced a framework for re-opening businesses throughout Oregon.  This framework establishes seven prerequisites that counties and health regions must meet to participate a phased re-opening of the state after May 15.

Added May 14: As the City begins re-opening, this GIS map is intended to help the greater Wilsonville community understand which businesses are now operating.  Related map: Who's Open in Clackamas County?

On April 20, the City adopted the Wilsonville Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants Program to provide one-time assistance to qualifying small businesses financially impacted by COVID-19. The program launches on April 24. Applications are due by 5 pm on April 29. 

Added 4/29: CARES Act: The CARES Act, from the US Treasury Department, provides fast and direct economic assistance for American workers and families, small businesses, and preserves jobs for American industries.

Added 4/29: The Federal CARES Act includes The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which is open and accepting applications from workers who are self-employed, contract, and gig workers not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. Those filing for the first time should use the instructions and initial application form to complete their first claim.

On March 23, the City distributed a news release via social media channels and emailed a letter to local business operators to share information about state and federal resources that may be available to businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19. As resources become available, additional links may added to the directory below. 

Wilsonville is committed to the health of our business community.  Contact Economic Development Manager Jordan Vance to discuss where assistance may be needed, and how the City could help.  Contact Jordan at 503-826-7500  or vance@ci.wilsonville.or.us.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared Oregon a eligible for small business economic injury disaster loans to relieve economic injury created by the COVID-19.  The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides low-interest working capital loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations. These loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.  Apply here.

Employee Assistance: For employees furloughed or let go,  the Oregon Employment Department’s page provides guidelines around the collection of unemployment benefits, which may change rapidly as the public health crisis evolves.  It also addresses common questions many employees, employers and job seekers may be asking.

BOLI Workplace Laws: Companies remaining open for business , and their employees, may have questions about employment law, including federal protections that take effect April 2.  The Bureau of Labor and Industry has consolidated information to address questions about benefits, leave, sick days and other items. 

An Alternative to Layoffs? The Oregon Work Share program developed by the Oregon Employment Department provides a path for employers to reduce work hours for a group of workers, who then can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits. 

 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act: The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which includes the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, is effective April 1. This Q&A from the Department of Labor provides details. 

Additional Business Assistance Resources:

Preventing Workplace Exposure to COVID-19: This guidance from the CDC may help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. This guidance also provides planning considerations for community spread of COVID-19.

Reducing Stigma in the Workplace? Stigma affects the emotional or mental health of stigmatized groups and the communities they live in. Stopping stigma is important to making communities and community members resilient.

Promoting and Protecting Mental Health: Mental health is fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, emote, interact with each other, earn a living and enjoy life.  These resources from the CDC may help employees or business operators identify and treat stress, anxiety and depression. 

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