| Here is a list of resources for businesses in Columbia County to access. We will send updates as we gather more information. Small Business Impact Survey Businesses are being asked to share stories and examples of economic hardship so that they can be passed on to state and federal agencies. Please take a few minutes to fill out the Small Business Impact Survey, or email Chrissy Marquardt at [email protected] with your story. Portland Community College Small Business Center Help The PCC SBDC and Global Trade Center is available to assist you in assessing the appropriate actions for your business. Please email [email protected] if you need assistance in this planning process, or if you have any questions regarding the guidelines. Disaster Loan Assistance Oregon has officially been designated for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. This declaration makes SBA loans available statewide to small businesses and private, nonprofit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. Please find the information on the application process attached. Additional Fact Sheet and Media Release resources are forthcoming. For more information, visit the SBA Disaster Loan website. Please note, any financial programs that may become available, including through the SBA, will likely require that you have up-to-date Financial Statements so if you do not have those, please talk to your CPA, Bookkeeper or engage with your SBDC Advisor if you need assistance. Oregon Health Authority Updates For up to the date information, OHA has launched a new website for COVID-19 updates. They have moved to a different platform to help prevent website slowness due to high traffic. They are also working to create a page more specifically designed for the information needs of healthcare providers and local public health. Unemployment Information for Your Employees Here is the latest guidance with regard to employees who are laid off temporarily or permanently as well as information regarding Layoff Aversion Funds. They should file for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits immediately. If the layoff is short term, 4 weeks or less, the employee does not have to search for employment while they are receiving benefits. More Information NW Natural NW Natural has activated its business continuity plans. Residential and small businesses will not be disconnected if they can’t make payments due to the impacts caused by COVID-19. Customers will continue to receive bills and past-due notices. But NW Natural will not send a final shut-off notice and disconnect service. More information Reduced Hours Via Work Share Work Share provides an alternative for larger employers who may be facing the prospect of a lay off situation. With Work Share, instead of reducing staff, an employer reduces the hours of work for a group of workers. Partial Unemployment Insurance benefits are then paid to supplement workers’ reduced wages. More Information Permanent Layoffs: Rapid Response Assistance If you are considering a long-term or permanent layoff of workers, contact the WorkSource center for rapid response assistance. Local Rapid Response teams can help you navigate through this challenging process and assist with the development and implementation of a transition strategy. More Information Columbia County Worksource office: 503-397-4995 Please note: The office is currently staffed to receive phone calls but the lobby is not open to the general public. Additional Resources Oregon Economic Development Association Guidance for Economic Developers Business Oregon Guidance for Businesses Guidance for Businesses Oregon Employment Department COVID-19 Related Business Layoffs, Closures, and Unemployment Insurance Benefits Center for Disease Control (CDC) Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Grocery Association Guidelines Email Wela to receive the newsletters from CCET [email protected] |
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