Small Business Resource Navigator

Federal Assistance

Oregon is working quickly to implement the following federal actions to improve benefits for Oregon workers and businesses.

Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan—Oregon is now eligible region for SBA Loan Assistance. Apply for $10,000 grant and/or a business loan. For guidance filling out the form:

• watch a video walk-through
• contact your local Small Business Development Center
• 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov Disaster Helpdesk from 8AM to 8PM EDT 7 days a week
• Small Business Debt Relief Program, providing immediate relief to small businesses with current SBA loans by covering all loan payments, interest and fees for six months.
• Grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses and non-profits who have applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

Workshare—Additional funding is going to workshare, which helps employers keep employees on the payroll by paying part of their wages.

Paycheck Protection Program—Small businesses can receive fully forgivable loans through this newly-created program to address important payroll and operational costs. The federal government has guaranteed these loans, so no personal guarantee or collateral will be required.

Federal Emergency Aid Legislation—As the federal aid package gets rolled out, Senator Jeff Merkley assembled some helpful FAQs for what is in it and how it can help.

United States Department of Agriculture Business and Industry Loan Guarantee for rural businesses

State Financial Assistance +

Local Financial Assistance

Many regional and city governments throughout Oregon have stood up financial programs and Coronavirus-relief projects. View the list of what we know to be available.

Additional Resources +

Federal Actions

• Additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits, and an expansion covering part-time workers, gig workers, self-employed workers and contractors.
• Two weeks of paid sick leave for quarantined workers.
• Paid leave to care for sick family members and extended leave to care for children out of school.
• Distribution of $1.1 million in layoff aversion funds to local workforce boards.

State Actions

Unemployment Insurance

• Adopted rules providing flexibility for displaced workers to receive unemployment benefits. These rules closed many gaps in the unemployment system that would have prevented workers from getting benefits when they were laid off by an employer impacted by COVID-19, or out of work because of a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Coverage provided for employees out of work because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Waiver of work search requirement during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Coverage also provided for hospitalized and quarantined workers.

Insurance Coverage Measures for Businesses and Workers
Oregon has put in place a suite of policies to aid businesses and workers navigate the crisis while maintaining insurance policies including:

• A grace period for premium payments on all insurance policies issued in the state.
• Suspension of all cancellations and non-renewals for active insurance policies.
• Extension of all deadlines for consumers to report claims and communicate about claims.
• Consumer ability to make premium payments and report claims while maintaining safe social distancing standards.

Commercial and Residential Eviction Moratoriums

• Governor ordered residential eviction moratorium to provide relief for Oregonians.
• Governor ordered commercial eviction moratorium to assist businesses with short term cash flow needs.

Tax Relief for Oregonians

• Delayed 2019 income tax and payment deadlines to July 15.
• Flexibility for bars and restaurants to deliver beer and wine during state of emergency.
• Relief to grocery stores on bottle bill redemption rules.

Connections

• Businesses interested in providing services and/or supplies
• Webinars and Virtual Sessions
  • The Foundry—Let's Get Connected townhall series
  • Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership—series of free webinars on a variety of topics designed to provide constructive information to manufacturers about successfully managing their businesses now and in the future
  • RAIN Oregon free weekly entrepreneur support meetings; Fridays at 9:00 am on Zoom

Planning, Counseling

• Business Survival Tips—English and Spanish (planning, managing cash flow, insurance, staffing)
• Help Avoiding Layoffs
  • Workshare (help avoid layoffs)
  • Rapid Response Task Force
  • Rogue Workforce Partnership
  • Clackamas Workforce Partership: Funds have been made available to help Clackamas County businesses avoid layoffs and/or closure. We need to know how your business has been affected and what you believe can be done to avoid laying off employees or closing your business. Contact Bryan Fuentez for details.
• Small Business Development Centers: centers across the state are offering no-cost advising and training. Currently all centers are operating virtually and are available to assist with general business questions.
• Oregon RAIN (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network) offering free virtual mentoring, workshops, support groups, and more to any entrepreneur/innovator/startup in the state
• Small Business Advocate—Businesses without employees or with fewer than 100 employees can contact the Office of Small Business Assistance by email or by calling toll free 1-844-469-5512.
• Free and discounted coaching for distressed small businesses from consulting firm [Pregame]
• Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership offering counseling and planning for any Oregon manufacturer
• Nonprofit Association of Oregon

• Federal emergency aid FAQ documents and resources by Senator Merkley's office
• Federal CARES Act Small Business Owner's guide
• Technical Assistance for Employers—Guidance for employers on compliance with employment and leave laws
• Oregon Department of Revenue tax relief information
• Am I an essential business?
• Sick Leave Information
• Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance
• Resources for Oregon Health Plan partners (OHP)
• Child Care Provider Resources
  • Guidance for Child Care Facilities/Buinesses Governor's Office
  • Resources for Child Care Providers
  • Temporary Changes to Child Care Rules in Response to COVID-19
• Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
• Industry/Business regulated by OLCC—temporary rules, licensing process changes, and waiving certain fees connected with business and licensing transactions
• Predictive scheduling—hourly and seasonal restaurant workers going to just take out
• Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)
• Oregon Entrepreur Network (OEN) twitter feed
• TiE Oregon—non-profit supporting Oregon's entrepreneurs
• MRG Foundation Community Response Fund—funding community-based organizations and accepting donations
• OSU information for small farms, farmers markets
• Oregon Department of Agriculture information and resources
• U.S. Department of Agriculture—Oppportunities for immediate relief for rural residents, businesses, and communities

Layoff because of Coronavirus

Sick Leave for Caring for a loved one

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

Oregon Health Authority
- COVID-19 Updates

Governor’s Resource Page

Health Insurance and Scams