In the face of a global pandemic and significant wildfires Oregon is resilient. We are resilient because we work together, standing up resources as soon as possible to help our fellow Oregonians. This page contains resources Business Oregon and the SBA stood up for businesses in the face of COVID-19.
Latest Resources
Small Business Grants
Business Oregon launched the Commercial Rent Relief Program and Operational Cost Assistance Grant programs. The Commercial Rent Relief program provided grant funding to landlords to clear tenant rent debt and the Operational Cost Assistance Grant program provided grants to businesses in industries that were particularly impacted by pandemic restrictions, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, brewpubs, theaters, salons, etc., which may have accumulated during the pandemic.
SBA Funding for Restaurants and Venues
The SBA launched the $28 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.
Also, the SBA launched the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) allocating $16 billion in grants to shuttered venues. Live venue operators and promoters, theatrical producers, museums, movie theaters, and more are the target for the program.
Emergency Small Business Grants
Business Oregon issued $50M in grants to small businesses through the Emergency Small Business Grant Program. The program had five rounds of grants. More information on this program and how funds were distributed.
Wildfires
Over at wildfire.oregon.gov, you'll find additional resources and information related specifically to wildfire recovery.
Our phone hotline below can help navigate business owners through both wildfire and COVID-19 questions, as we work through both emergencies, together.
Resources for Business Owners/Employers
Financial Assistance for Employers
Jump to: State Financial Assistance ||
Local Financial Assistance
Federal Financial Assistance
Oregon is working quickly to implement the following federal actions to improve benefits for Oregon workers and businesses.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Who can help me with this?
The SBA runs the economic injury disaster zone and the EIDL and EIDL Advance programs.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications—The EIDL and EIDL Advance programs offer loans to qualified small businesses. Here is data on loans made in Oregon.
The Paycheck Protection Program is a federal loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.
State Financial Assistance—Business Oregon
Business Oregon is the state's economic development agency and operates several direct loan and loan guarantee programs for small businesses.
Emergency Business Assistance Grants
Business Oregon delivered nearly $50 million to the hands of small business owners in our communities suffering in the wake of the pandemic through this grant fund. The initial rounds of funding went to intermediary organizations that in turn provided grants locally in their respective regions. The final round was issued directly by Business Oregon to small businesses. More information on this program and how funds were distributed.
Commercial Rent Relief Program
Business Oregon's Commercial Rent Relief program targets help to small businesses behind on their commercial lease payments. This program provides grant funding to landlords to clear tenant rent debt that may have accumulated during the pandemic.
Community Development Block Grant Funding Available for COVID-19 Response
Business Oregon has made available $3,750,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for non-entitlement communities impacted by COVID-19. The funds will be divided into two project types: $2,000,000 for Small Business/Microenterprise Assistance and $1,750,000 for emergency COVID-19 response assistance—projects that prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19. All program funds are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Eligible applications will be accepted until all the allocated funding has been exhausted.
Reopening Guidance
Oregon COVID-19 Status
Oregon Governor Kate Brown has a webpage, which is the central place with information on reopening status and has the latest health guidelines. We have pulled some information below to add to our own content, but the Governor’s page has more complete information and content is updated the moment anything changes.
Other Resources and Guidance
Supplies
- Free masks, gloves, and other supplies for small businesses
Due to supply shortages and after filling more than 8,000 orders, we are no longer taking new applications for supplies for Oregon small businesses. The state of Oregon fulfilled orders at no charge until resources were depleted. Funding for free PPE supplies was allocated from the federal CARES Act by the Governor’s office in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board.
- Businesses interested in providing services and/or supplies
Connections
- Webinars and Virtual Sessions
Planning, Counseling
- Business Survival Tips—English and Spanish
(planning, managing cash flow, insurance, staffing)
- Long-Term Business Decisions English and Spanish —Some thoughts and tips on making long-term decisions for your business in the face of this crisis
- Help Avoiding Layoffs
- 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
- XXcelerate—strategic business coaching and free emergency business support for underserved entrepreneurs affected by COVID 19, peer mentorship support groups, and online education for growing womxn-owned businesses across Oregon
Business and Industry
Resources for Employees and Others
an Oregon state agency
