We have pulled together resources for your to keep you updated and informed on what is going on with the COVID-19. We will keep this page up to date with information as it is released.
Prepare and remain calm!
Business Updates / Resources
- 1/28/2021: Covid -19 Vaccine Plan for Oregon.
- 12/1/2020: Starting December 3rd, Governor Brown launches now county guidelines. Washington County is going to start out in extremely high risk level. Click here for the new restrictions.
- 9/16/2020: Free PPE available for businesses with 50 employees or less. Learn more and reserve your masks and gloves here: https://bit.ly/3hK9riW
- 9/15/2020: New gathering and social gatherings guidelines (State wide)
- 5/21/2020 – Updated PPE Resource page.
- 4/3/2020: Countywide LEM-Employer Coordination Call Slides & Notes
- 4/1/2020: Governor Brown placed a 90 day moratorium on commercial evictions for nonpayment.
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3/31/2020: Tigard CARES is more than a financial assistance program for Tigard-based firms in time of crisis, it is our commitment to the local business community. In partnership with two CDFIs, the City has tripled the financial resources available to businesses through grants, micro-loans and bridge loans to firms. This partnership turned $300,000 in city funding into $1,000,000 available as financial assistance for locally owned businesses.
This funding can be used for:
- Fixed expenses such as rent, insurance and other operating expenses
- Employee retention (payroll)
- Inventory preparedness for when business activity restarts
Please use this link to access the referral form www.engage.tigard-or.gov/CARES.
- 3/31/2020: FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT which goes into effect tomorrow 4/1/20 and covers paid sick leave and extension of the family leave and medical act and applies to businesses under 500 employees. Click here to download the poster that needs to be posted in your workplace.
- 3/30/2020: As part of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security) Act (Stimulus Package Phase 3), Congress has approved $350 billion in emergency loans for small businesses to help them keep workers employed. In fact, if small businesses maintain or later restore their payrolls, they may not have to repay some — or possibly any — of the loan.
This $350 billion program is the “Paycheck Protection Program” portion of CARES. Here’s a guide and checklist from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help your small business be prepared to apply when funding becomes available. You can begin planning now to take advantage of this program for your business and employees. - 3/26/2020: We have just received the 12 page summary from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on what is in the Phase 3 Bi-Partisan Stimulus package that has passed the Senate on a 96-0 vote and now is waiting for vote by the House of Representatives tomorrow, Friday and then signature by the President. Unfortunately, the package did not include language making 501(c)6s—or other non-profits besides 501(c)3s—eligible for the new $350 billion loan/grant program. Efforts will be made to see if an amendment can be made in follow on legislation to address that.
There is a lot of good news in here for business, families and individuals! It appears based on the link to the section by section summary that Unemployment Insurance will be made accessible to independent contractors and those self-employed, but not yet clear the how or qualifying factors.
There is a lot to digest in this 12 pages, it is broken down by section so you can skip the ones that don’t apply to your type of business or individual or family situation. More details can also be found at the embedded links in the summary. There could be some slight changes to this, but the U.S. Chamber of Commerce thought that was unlikely as the Senate is recessed until 4/20/20. - 3/20/2020: The State of Oregon has officially been designated for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. Small businesses and non-profits of any size can now apply for these low-interest loans. More information is available on the Small Business Administration website and in the declaration. Below are some supporting documents.
- State of Oregon Employment Department information on COVID-19 related business layoffs, closures and unemployment insurance benefits
- For health and safety information and guidance, consult the Center for Disease Control’s guidance for businesses and employers.
- Visit the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 page for Oregon-specific COVID-19 updates.
- Business Oregon has compiled a list of financial assistance resources for businesses effected by COVID-19.
- Greater Portland Inc. has compiled a list of resources specifically for businesses in the Greater Portland area. This list is evolving as more resources become available.
- Oregon Economic Development Association developed a list of ideas for small businesses as they move through this uncertain time period as well as a general list of various resources.
- Built Oregon is encouraging citizens to purchase gift certificates. If your company offers gift certificates, please add your company to the list of local establishments that are offering gift certificates.
- Washington County Cooperative Library Services
Office of Small Business Assistance Update
The Office of Small Business Assistance is standing by to help businesses know how to connect with resources in these troubling times. Our team is tirelessly working on referring businesses to the help they’re asking for. The fastest way to get in touch with the team is by emailing business.sos@oregon.gov or using the “Need Help?” button found on most state agency websites or visiting www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness.
The team has been getting a lot of questions from business owners having to lay off or reduce the hours of staff, what needs to be done for employees being released, and asking about how to pay rent and utilities. Businesses with similar questions are encouraged to visit the following websites:
- The Oregon Employment Department’s web page at http://www.oregon.gov/employ for information on Unemployment options, including the WorkShare program at www.oregonworkshare.com.
- The Oregon Labor and Industries Technical Assistance for Employers page at https://www.oregon.gov/BOLI/TA/pages/index.aspx has information about employer obligations and responsibilities.
- Business Oregon has a robust list of financial resources including non-bank lenders at https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/.
- The US Small Business Administration offers disaster assistance in the form of SBA loans to designated states. Information about these loans is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index.
And finally, the latest information on resources for workers and business owners is available at https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/coronavirus2020.aspx
Federal Government
IRS:
90-day Delay for Payment of Taxes, Filing Deadline Remains
CDC:
Travel Guidelines
Guidance for Gatherings of 10+ People
U.S. DOL:
Guidance in Unemployment Insurance Flexibility during COVID-19
Federal Reserve:
Feds Slash Interest Rates
U.S. Consulates in Mexico:
H-2A Delays are Likely
Small Business Administration:
Disaster Declared in Washington and Six Oregon Counties
Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
State of Oregon Updates / Resources
Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Orders:
Oregon Small Business Resource Navigator
Oregon Employment Department:
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries:
Notice of Relief from Predictive Scheduling Penalties
Oregon Liquor Control Commission:
OLCC Exception to the Requirement to Redeem Bottles at Retail
Oregon Department of Transportation:
COVID-19 Short-term Suspension of Hours of Service Requirements for Trucking
Higher Education Coordinating Commission:
Guidance Related to the Flexibility and Innovative Uses of Layoff Aversion Funding During the Era of COVID-19
Department of Human Services/ Early Learning Division:
Expansion of Child Care Benefits and Eliminating Copays
Attorney General:
Price Gouging Penalties and Hotlines
Oregon Health Authority:
Oregon Coronavirus Updates
Guidance for Employers
County & City Updates
City of Tigard Updates
Event Cancellations, What the City is Doing, and Message from Tigard’s Emergency Service Coordinator.
Tigard CARES is more than a financial assistance program for Tigard-based firms in time of crisis, it is our commitment to the local business community. In partnership with two CDFIs, the City has tripled the financial resources available to businesses through grants, micro-loans and bridge loans to firms. This partnership turned $300,000 in city funding into $1,000,000 available as financial assistance for locally owned businesses.
This funding can be used for:
- Fixed expenses such as rent, insurance and other operating expenses
- Employee retention (payroll)
- Inventory preparedness for when business activity restarts
Please use this link to access the referral form www.engage.tigard-or.gov/CARES.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services Business Resources
Washington County Health Department
Updates & FAQs
Washington County COVID-19 Update – 3/20/20