COVID Resources

• Business Oregon launched a website to request direct (free) allocations of COVD-19 safety equipment.

• Small Business Development Center is here to help businesses. Their advisors are available to assist you. Please contact them at (541) 956-7494 and leave them a message, or e-mail them at sbdc@roguecc.edu.
• Business Oregon, alongside the Oregon Employment Department, the Oregon Secretary of State, and the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services compiled the information on this page to assist Oregon small business owners, employees, and others dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
• Travel Oregon COVID-19 toolkit– Consumer messaging and business resources
• Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association-COVID-19 information and business resources
• Oregon Community Foundation-Support for nonprofits impacted by COVID-19
• Farmer Relief Fund – American Farmland Trust: AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
• OHA has posted a “Reopening Guidance Tool” that graphically helps explain what types of businesses fit where, both in terms of phases & gathering limits.
• The Venue & Indoor/Outdoor Entertainments webinar recording is here (skip forward to ~38 minute mark).
• Jackson County has $145,000 in NEW grant funds available to assist small businesses (less than 25 employees) negatively impacted by COVID-19. The grant application and eligibility requirements will be posted on the Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) website www.soredi.org/covid/covidgrants, on Friday, September 18, 2020. Completed applications along with the required documentation can be submitted online or by email BEGINNING at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Applications submitted prior to this time will not be considered.
• US Chamber Reopening Business Digital Resources Center & Reopening Business Digital Resources Center Toolkit
• Small Business Reopening Playbook
• Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
• Independent Contractor’s Guide to CARES Act Relief

Employee Resources

• Workers can initiate an unemployment claim without having to go into an office. 
• Employees with complaints/concerns about their employer should be directed to BOLI:  971-673-0761 or email mailb@boli.state.or.us. Additionally, if employers have questions, BOLI has a Technical Assistance hotline. Employer Technical Assistance – call 971-673-0824 or email bolita@boli.state.or.us
• The Oregon Employment Department is working hard to ensure people have access to the most current guidance for employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Information continues to change daily, including where and how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits and eligibility requirements. Please visit the department’s COVID-19 employment-related web page for the latest information.
• The Oregon Employment Department most updated news releases.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit The IRS published various forms, guidance and FAQs related to the Employee Retention Tax Credit today 3-31-20.
• General Guidance for Employers.
• Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide
• Backgrounder on Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act
• Backgrounder on Health Coverage Options

Miscellaneous

• Business Guides. Business Oregon has developed Business Survival Tips During a Pandemic, viewable here. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a Coronavirus Small Business Guide, with a range of resources for employers.
• Travel Oregon has created an online form to capture feedback on how to best meet the needs of the 115,000 Oregonians who are directly employed in the tourism industry.
• Executive Order Compliance. The State has set up a process to handle complaints about Executive Order compliance, i.e., complaints about violations. The general public should be directed to OSHA.
• Child Care. Rules are rapidly evolving on the child care front. All child cares that want to remain open must pply to be designated as an emergency child care provider. Hopefully, an expanded list of approved emergency child care providers will be available on Monday. Emergency child care is intended to serve health care and other essential workers. A detailed list of workers that are considered essential for this purpose, and how they are being prioritized.
• Individuals seeking child care can use the following:
  • CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155 Listen for the “Child Care” prompt, otherwise there may be a long wait
  • TEXT keyword “children” or “ninos” to 898211 (TXT211)
  • EMAIL children@211info.org
  • To search for child care providers online, click here.
• FEMA Public Assistance (PA) is available to state and eligible local, tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in all counties in the State of Oregon. The Public Assistance Program provides Federal financial assistance at a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction of guidance of state, local, tribal and territorial public health officials. For detailed information on how to apply, feel free to reach out to me, or contact your County emergency manager.
• Department of Revenue Announcement: PPP loans, EIDL advances, SBA loan subsidies not subject to CAT
• Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 today.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide
• Business Oregon has analyzed and released the results of the survey conducted with Travel Oregon and SBDC.
• Guidelines Regarding Face Covering Use in Public.