On Friday, June 19th, the Tigard Chamber along with 13 other chambers of commerce across Washington and Clackamas counties sent the below letter to Governor Brown asking her to untether our counties from Multnomah county for Phase 2 reopening.
Author Archives: Tigard Chamber of Commerce
June 18, 2020
Dear Governor Brown, Senators Burdick and Thatcher, and Representatives Doherty and Neron,
The Tigard Chamber of Commerce represents over 300 businesses who are committed to growing business opportunities and providing over 16,000 living-wage jobs for families in our community. We are writing today to express our concerns about potential for lawsuits should an employee or customer contract COVID-19.
Governor Brown’s executive orders have flattened the COVID-19 curve, but the changing regulatory environment also has created immense exposure and uncertainty for our business.
We are worried that even though businesses take steps to follow public health guidelines, they are still at risk of a lawsuit from a customer or employee saying that they didn’t do enough to protect them from exposure. One of these lawsuits would cripple a local business. It’s already tough to keep their doors open in these challenging economic times. Please don’t leave them exposed to unnecessary legal risk.
Businesses need temporary and targeted COVID-19 liability relief to prevent further financial jeopardy as Oregon starts to reopen. Temporary COVID-19 liability protections are not a license for a business to intentionally ignore safety precautions. However, targeted liability protection will ensure that employers who are following best practices and state-issued public health guidelines don’t suffer further economic harm.
Our families and business have been through a lot since the coronavirus took hold. We’re all trying our best and learning as we go – both about this virus and this new world. We ask you to pass temporary and targeted liability protections to shield local businesses from legal risk when they are following state public health guidelines to protect employees and customers from the novel coronavirus.
Thank you for your leadership during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Debi Mollahan
CEO, Tigard Chamber
PRESS RELEASE
June 5thth, 2020
For Immediate Release: Tigard, Oregon
Tigard Chamber Now Accepting Requests for Endorsement Consideration for Nov 2020 Tigard City Council Races
Advocating for our business members with government is a key objective for the Tigard Chamber. While legislation can either help or hurt our businesses and our local economy, it really starts with the people, legislators and elected officials crafting and voting in that legislation or proposing a measure to the voters. A unique factor for our chamber businesses, is that many which are located in Tigard, have an owner and employees who reside in neighboring cities who can’t vote on a local measure or candidate that would have an impact on their business.
The Tigard Chamber’s Candidate Endorsement Committee will conduct a non-partisan, fair and equitable process focused on reviewing the qualifications and platforms of candidates in order to endorse those most likely to support business and Tigard Chamber goals, thus increasing the likelihood of pro-business candidates being elected to local offices.
The Candidate Endorsement Committee promotes a vibrant business environment by endorsing candidates who support sound public policy that strengthens the business community and the free enterprise system.
Declared candidates and those undeclared but considering running for Tigard City Council positions are encouraged to ask for endorsement consideration. All those asking for consideration will be sent a confidential questionnaire. Completion of the questionnaire is a necessary step in seeking endorsement. Those not completing a questionnaire will not be considered. The deadline to request endorsement consideration is 6/26/20 midnight. Please email your request for endorsement consideration to CEC@tigardchamber.org
About the Tigard Chamber
Mission – Building & Connecting Businesses, Growing Leaders and Shaping Our Community
Vision – Business + Community = Prosperity, Vibrancy & Diversity
Contact Debi Mollahan, CEO, Tigard Chamber for more information on this press release. Debi@tigardchamber.org or 503-639-1656
I like a lot of you have been watching what has been unfolding locally and nationally with regard to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. We have a serious and systemic issue with equity across many of our institutions and systems. This impacts people, communities and businesses.
The Tigard Chamber Board of Directors decided we as a business organization needed to add our voice to raise awareness to the issue and released the following statement on our social media channels
June 3rd, 2020
At a time like this, it is hard to find the right words.
Words to express our sadness, frustration and anger about the injustice people of color face daily in our communities.
We stand for equity, prosperity and systemic change.
We stand against police brutality and racism in all forms.
We support the City of Tigard’s refreshed vision
“To be an equitable community for everyone.”
The Tigard Chamber is listening, open to learning and is committed to being part of the solution.
Who will join us?
I am very proud of our organization and the Board of Directors for having the courage to speak into the issue. Four or five years ago this might not have happened. We as an organization are evolving as I hope we all are with increasing awareness of unconscious biases we may have and how many of our systems don’t deliver equity.
Our work actually began about a year and half ago as we looked at what we needed to do as an organization to better reflect our community and be welcoming to all. The first result was an updated vision statement
Business + Community = Prosperity, Vibrancy & Diversity
Since then we have worked behind the scenes to gain a better understanding of the culture around us in Tigard, listening and learning and beginning to partner with relevant organizations.
These are all just beginning steps, we have a long ways to go and we have to continue this work. If you would like to join us on this journey please contact myself or Katherine Wiley at Debi@tigardchamber.org or Katherine@tigardchamber.org.
Debi Mollahan
CEO, Tigard Chamber
We recently received this list of businesses in the metro area that have PPE for sale. This is not an exhaustive list but is being shared to help business as you prepare for Phase 1 reopening if applicable.
From Business Oregon
Subject: FW: Business partners with PPE
Below are manufacturers verified last week with product ready to sell in the Portland metro area. Not an exclusive list.
Polypropylene face masks / Cloth masks/ washable/ reusable face coverings
- Portland Garment Factory https://www.portlandgarmentfactory.com/ Britt Howard 503-257-2905 britt@portlandgarmentfactory.com
- Looptworks https://www.looptworks.com/pages/protective-masks-order-form Scott Hamlin 503-830-1546 scott@looptworks.com
- Blue Sky Filters http://www.blueskyfilters.com/ Michael Fogoros 503-867-7254 mfogoros@gmail.com
- Prink Made PrinkMade.com Garrett Staples 541-914-7018 garrett.staples@prinkmade.com
- Hydra Research https://www.hydraresearch3d.com/covid19-supplies Zachary Rose 503-849-4879 logistics@hydraresearch3d.com
- Spooltown http://www.spooltown.com/ Sara Tunstall (503) 974-6246 sara@spooltown.com
- Gentox Medical Services gentoxmedicalservices.com Tom Lukovich 503.679.6789 tom@gentmedical.com
- D6 Inc. https://d6inc.com/ Respirator Face Mask (Currently pending NIOSH N95 Approval) (503) 867-1430
Plastic Face shields
- Miles Fiberglass & Composites https://www.milesfiberglass.com/ Lori Miles-Olund Lolund@milesfiberglass.com
- D6 Inc. https://d6inc.com/ (503) 867-1430
- Multi-Craft Plastics MCPPE.COM Kevin Lachnmeier 503-352-0970 kevin@Multicraftplastics.com
- Hydra Research https://www.hydraresearch3d.com/covid19-supplies Zachary Rose 503-849-4879 logistics@hydraresearch3d.com
- Laird Plastics https://www.lairdplastics.com/component/content/article?id=3444 Bob Dalpe 503-233-4861 bdalpe@lairdplastics.com
- Toast, Inc. https://www.toastmade.com/ppe-face-shield-landing-page Matias Brecher 503-206-7398 sales@toastmade.com
- Wavecel https://wavecel.com/faceshields/ Bill McAtee 503-839-0525 faceshield@wavecel.com
Gowns
- Looptworks https://www.looptworks.com/pages/protective-masks-order-form (use mask order form for gown inquiry) Scott Hamlin 503-830-1546 scott@looptworks.com
- Exceed Enterprises https://www.exceedpdx.com/ Scott Sander 971-998-0279 scotts@exceedpdx.com
Acrylic point-of service/sale shields
- Laird Plastics https://www.lairdplastics.com/component/content/article?id=3444 Bob Dalpe 503-233-4861 bdalpe@lairdplastics.com
- Multi-Craft Plastics MCPPE.COM Kevin Lachnmeier 503-352-0970 kevin@Multicraftplastics.com
Bryan Guiney
Regional Development Officer
Covering the Portland Metro Area
Business Oregon | www.oregon4biz.com
503-307-3662 mobile