Re-Opening Oregon: A Conversation
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused many Oregon businesses to lose revenue, some directly because of a mandatory closure order and others indirectly from the impacts of social distancing, orders to stay at home, and supply chain disruptions. As the Co-Chair of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response (JSCVR) and member of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Team, I am looking at specific ways to help coastal and rural Oregonians connect to the resources they need during this crisis.
Please join me on and other members of the Governor's Economic Advisory Team this Friday, May 8th at 12:00 p.m., for a virtual session titled: Reopening Oregon: What Small Businesses, Small Cities & Startups Need to Know. This will be an hour long discussion about how communities and small business owners can can navigate Oregon's re-opening phases.
Agenda & Panelists:
MODERATOR: Erin Reynolds, Florence City Manager & Vice Chair of Oregon RAIN's Board of Directors
-
Senator Arnie Roblan (Co-Chair, Special Committee on Coronavirus Response): Overview of the $10M Small Business Assistance package approved by the State's Emergency Board in response to COVID-19.
-
Leah Horner, Director, Jobs & Economy Policy Advisor/Regional Solutions, Governor's Office: Governor's plan for reopening, what business owners need to know.
-
David Gerstenfeld, Director, Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division,Oregon Employment Department: Update on unemployment benefits and what entrepreneurs and small business owners need to know.
-
Melisa Drugge, Regional Development Manager, Business Oregon: Discuss resources for small communities and businesses facing economic crisis caused by the COVID-19.
This is a great opportunity for you to share your ideas and recommendations about how we can re-open. Local government, entrepreneurs, business owners, and partners who would like to propose questions to our panelists, please do so using this form before midnight this Thursday, May 7th.
Extraordinary Challenges Require Extraordinary Responses
 A Message From Tillamook CEO, Patrick Criteser
We are fortunate that our business is strong right now, but many people in the communities where we operate and across the country are hurting because of the burdens created by the pandemic. That’s why our farmer-owners have committed to a $4 million relief plan to help our employees, communities and industry partners respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Caring for our community has been a core part of the values we were founded on more than a century ago, and it’s still who we are today. We want to make a real impact. For us, that means supporting the people and the places that have supported us for so many years... Read the full message here.
 Employment and Economic Response to COVID-19
As calls for swift re-opening continue – including a rally at the Capitol tomorrow – and the Governor outlines steps for a slow-re-opening it is important to continue the Stay at Home orders and follow all important social distancing guidelines.
Please take an opportunity to review the compilation of information and resources related to employment, commerce and economic development issues surrounding COVID-19:
Governor Kate Brown Announces Limited Opening Of State Recreational Areas: Governor Kate Brown today announced the limited opening of some state parks, outdoor recreation facilities, and areas across Oregon for day use effective today, May 5, 2020, with camping opportunities becoming available as federal, state, local, and private providers are able to prepare their facilities for visitors. Read the news release.
Oregon to Provide More than 351,000 Children with Benefits to Replace the Meals they Get at School: The Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Education announced today that Oregon families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will get cash benefits for the meals they would have received at school even if they have been accessing meals from schools during the closure. Read more.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has posted updated FAQs providing answers regarding the Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act. The Employee Retention Credit encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50 percent of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.
Reopen Mainstreet has compiled a variety of resources on its website, including potential reopening strategies, ideas, hints and tips for businesses, business districts and organizations as they enter the COVID-19 recovery phase.
SCORE is hosting a free webinar on May 12 at 11 a.m. The 4 Key Things Business Owners Should Be Focused on Right Now. Register here.
| 
