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Home / Your Chamber / Business Recovery- Government & Financial Resources during Shutdown

Business Recovery- Government & Financial Resources during Shutdown​

The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is deeply involved in the COVID-19 issue at the community level. We are passionate about helping you navigate the incredibly challenging times as information and resources become available to us. Through our community partnerships, we are finding access to resources and will be adding them to this page as we receive the information. Information about new regulations, tax benefits, loans, grants and more are changing rapidly. Please refer to this page for updated information frequently as we work to keep up with these rapid changes.
 

RESOURCES-

Oregon has an updated statewide coronavirus website

People in Oregon will find it easier to learn about the state framework that went into effect today with an updated coronavirus website. The website is the new go-to place for anyone who wants to learn about COVID-19 in Oregon. Among the highlights are a map with each county risk level, state guidelines, resources, testing information and more.

Explore the updated website at coronavirus.oregon.gov.
 

December 3, 2020 - New COVID19 Impact Funding Now Available from Jackson and Josephine Counties

Medford, Oregon – Over $3.6 million in grant funds are now available for eligible businesses impacted by COVID19 in Jackson County with an allocation of over $2.4 million and in Josephine County with an allocation of over $1.2 million. 

Applications for this new “Southern Oregon CARES Business Grant” fund may be accessed through SOREDI, which has contracted as grant administrator for both counties. 

“This is a significantly large allocation for grant funding with priority given to the entertainment and hospitality sector impacted by the Governor’s recent ‘freeze’ mandate,” says Colleen Padilla, Executive Director of SOREDI. 

Applications will open for Jackson County at 12 pm PST on Friday, December 4. Applications will open for Josephine County at 12 pm PST on Saturday, December 5. Applications will be accepted until funding is exhausted or 12 pm PST on Tuesday, December 29, whichever comes first. ONLY complete applications, with all required documentation, will be considered. Southern Oregon CARES Business Grant applications may be accessed here: https://soredi.org/socares/

Click Here for full press release.

November 19, 2020 - A new round of Small Business funding will be available today. The application form and additional details will be available on Business Oregon’s website - CLICK HERE. They plan to update this page on Thursday, November 19 at 3 PM PST with additional program information and eligibility requirements, as well as an application form. They will update content on that webpage if that timeline changes.
 

November 18, 2020 - COVID-19/FREEZE:

Please click here for new guidance from the OHA site under the guidance tab.

Please click here for the Executive Order.

November 9, 2020: “OSHA Rules for businesses during “Pause”:
 
The Governor announced on Friday that several counties (including Jackson County) are taking a two week “pause” (reduction in allowed activities) to try to get COVID-19 transmission rates down. The new rules take effect on Wednesday: Here is the link for the Reopening Guidance for Counties on Pause: https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le2342k.pdf
 

OSHA Has Issued a Temporary Rule: “OAR 437-001-0744 Addressing COVID-19 Workplace Risks”
The rule: https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHARules/div1/437-001-0744.pdf

  • Employers must complete a risk assessment and complete an infection control plan by December 7, 2020. (Employers with more than 10 employees must have written documentation of their risk assessment and infection control plan.) OSHA will be providing materials and samples to assist in these efforts. For instance, an exposure risk assessment form is here
  • There is a required COVID-19 hazard poster: English / Spanish
  • Employers must provide training and establish a process to provide notification to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace.
  • Employers are required to make employees available for testing if so directed by public health officials.
  • An overview of compliance dates and which portions apply to all businesses versus “exceptional risk” businesses is here 

A video by Dr. Shames: “What we think we know about Covid-19”
 
As we work to get back on a better trajectory, you may want to watch a video by Dr. Shames, Jackson County’s Medical Director/Health Officer: “What we think we know about Covid-19.” The video is a broad spectrum account of what we know about Covid-19 as of September 2020. He explains the complexity of this virus by breaking down various areas from the basics of how the virus spreads, who gets sick, and what we can do about it, to the Socio-Economic and Racial disparities which exist within Covid-19. He addresses topics such as Sensitivity, Specificity, and Mitigation Strategies and where one can go for further information. YouTube Link 

November 6, 2020: Today, Governor Kate Brown announced a '2 Week Pause' on social activities for Marion, Multnomah, Malheur, Jackson, and Umatilla counties. These measures include: encouraging all people to work from home when possible, limiting gatherings to members of your own household, and reducing the number of patrons of indoor activities such as dining and fitness facilities, to 50 maximum (this number does not apply to houses of worship at this time). Please see the Governor's COVID-19 website for additional guidance: https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19
 

October 19, 2020: OHA (Oregon Health Authority) revises face covering guidance

OHA has revised its guidance on face coverings to include the following new provisions:

The guidance now requires that people wear face coverings in all private and public workplaces including classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and workspaces, unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace.

The revised guidance also requires that people wear face coverings in outdoor and indoor markets, street fairs, private career schools and public and private colleges and universities.

Finally, the revised guidance also recommends wearing a face covering instead of a face shield, except in limited situations when a face shield is appropriate such as when communicating with someone who is deaf or hearing impaired and needs to read lips.

COVID-19 is surging again. Oregonians can lower the risk to themselves, their families and their communities by:

  • Wearing a face covering

  • Keeping 6 or more feet away from others

  • Avoiding large gatherings and limiting social gatherings

  • Frequently washing our hands.

  • For more information about face coverings and face masks visit healthoregon.org/masks.

Governor Brown Announces Free Masks and Gloves for Small Businesses (09/16/2020). Click here for more information 
 

Governor Kate Brown Extends Foreclosure Moratorium to Protect Oregon Homeowners and Business Owners until December 31​. Click here to read more
 

SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

  • Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.


For business assistance, contact our local SBDC: click here​
 

6 Things About PPP Loan Forgiveness Small Businesses Should Know

More than $23.4 billion in PPP loans were approved for small businesses in the Pacific Northwest. As the SBA continues working with lenders nationwide on the Paycheck Protection Program, small business owners should take note of the following things when it comes to PPP loan forgiveness:
 

1. Approximately 66% of PPP borrowers in the region are eligible for a simplified loan forgiveness application.

Earlier in October, the SBA and Treasury released a simpler forgiveness application for PPP loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP loan forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. A majority of PPP loans are eligible for this option.
 

2. The estimated time to complete the simplified PPP loan forgiveness form application (loans $50,000 or less) can be as little as 15 minutes. 

The simplified application has only seven items for a PPP borrower to verify and significantly reduces the time and paperwork needed for PPP loan forgiveness.
 

3. Businesses still need to document PPP loan money was spent on eligible expenses.

Since a key part of forgiveness for PPP loans is using the money for eligible expenses, borrowers need to provide documentation with the forgiveness application. This can include:

  • Payroll documentation
  • Bank account statements or third-party payroll service provider reports
  • Tax forms
  • Business mortgage interest payments - lender amortization schedule, receipts, canceled checks
  • Business rent or lease payments - current lease agreement, receipts, canceled checks
  • Business utility payments - invoices, receipts, canceled checks, account statements

4. Borrowers apply for PPP loan forgiveness through their lender, not the SBA.

Borrowers can download PPP loan forgiveness applications from sba.gov/paycheckprotection and submit those and other required information to the lender that provided them with a PPP loan. Lenders have up to 60 days to review a PPP loan forgiveness application and the SBA has up to 90 days to review the forgiveness application once received from the lender. The SBA remits the amount forgiven to the lender, who has to process the forgiveness payment before notifying the PPP borrower of the amount.
 

5. The SBA has already started remittance to lenders.

The SBA began approving PPP loan forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to lenders for PPP borrowers Oct. 2, 2020. The SBA will continue to process all PPP loan forgiveness applications in an expeditious manner.
 

6. SBA Resource Partners are available to help borrowers through the forgiveness process and assist with recovery plans. 

To ease small businesses through the forgiveness process and empower businesses to confidently move their business forward, the SBA Resource Partner Network – which includes Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Mentors, Women’s Business Centers and the Veterans Business Outreach Center – provide one-on-one business advising and technical assistance to small businesses at no- or low-cost.

More info on PPP


Resources from Oregon State Senators Merkley & Wyden and US Representative Greg Walden​


 US Government- Department of Labor Workplace


CDC & WHO Resources

State of Oregon, Jackson County & Local Resources:
​​
Utility Resources & Relief:​

Tourism & Hospitality Resources:

  • For our tourism industry members, Travel Oregon partners with the US Travel Association and Brand USA who are committed to ensuring that travelers are provided with accurate, updated information about public health conditions in Oregon. For the latest travel alerts, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html or www.Industry.TravelOregon.com.

  • Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association (ORLA) has created the following resources for hospitality businesses to find out information about COVID-19 and the Governor’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” Executive Order. 

♦ https://www.oregonrla.org/blog/orla-ceo-update-for-oregons-hospitality-industry

♦ https://www.oregonrla.org/covid19faq.html

♦ https://www.oregonrla.org/covid19_info.html

 

Jackson County Public Health Department:

  • Jackson County Public Health has created a page on their website https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/Home that provides links from the Centers for Disease Control on the interim guidance on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for businesses, faith-based, long-term care facilities, and mass gatherings.

 
News:

 

Thank you to the Ashland Chamber’s Partners in Emergency Preparedness

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Site Handcrafted in Ashland, Oregon by Project A