Business Support

COVID-19 Resources for Oregonians

The State of Oregon maintains current information regarding requirements and guidance on its Building a Safe & Strong Oregon website. The state provides guidance for businesses in different sectors on how to maintain a safe workplace for employees and customers.

Additional Information

Also see our:

• Keeping Eugene Safe web page for up-to-date guidance
• Mask Requirements web page for guidance on where masks are required

Notice: Paycheck Protection Program Resumes January 11

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, has announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.  The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on Jan. 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. 

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

Key PPP updates include:

• PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs
• PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures
• The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations 
• The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees 
• Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
• Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower: 

• Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses; 
• Has no more than 300 employees; and 
• Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.  

The new guidance released includes:

• PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns;
• Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act; and
• Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans. 

Federal PPP and EIDL Resources

The U.S. Congress and the President created the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and other legislation which released funds to provide financial relief to businesses negatively affected by COVID-19.  The legislation created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak are encouraged to contact financial institutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to learn about the programs and how to apply for the loans and grants. The SBA is still accepting new EIDL applications for loans (not forgivable). Learn more and apply online.

Additional Information

• The Small Business Administrate and U.S. Department of Treasury have answers to frequently asked questions (updated Oct. 7, 2020).
• The US Chamber of Commerce provides a summary of the CARES Act’s provisions.

PPP Loans, EIDL Advances, SBA Loan Subsidies Not Subject to Oregon’s Corporate Activity Tax (CAT)

The Oregon Department of Revenue has determined that certain federal assistance to businesses under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is not ‘commercial activity’ under Oregon statute and will not be subject to the Corporate Activity Tax. The exempt assistance includes forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) emergency advances, and Small Business Administration (SBA) loan subsidies. Read the news release for more details.

Employee Retention Tax Credits

Businesses are eligible for an employee retention tax credit if operations were fully or partially suspended because of a COVID-19 shutdown order, or gross receipts declined by more than 50% compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Eligible businesses can get a refundable 50% tax credit on wages up to $10,000 per employee, or $5,000. The credit can be obtained on wages paid or incurred from March 13, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020. Businesses that receive a Paycheck Protection loan are ineligible for the tax credit.

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% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.

Grants available through Oregon Cares Fund

The members of the Oregon Legislature’s Black, Indigenous and People of Color Caucus worked to create the Oregon Cares Fund. The fund invests in Black people, Black-owned businesses and Black-led community-based organizations. All grants must be awarded before December 30, 2020. Learn more about the Oregon Cares Fund and apply.

Energy Assistance

Eugene Water & Electric Board’s Small Business Recovery Program provides utility bill payment assistance for business and non-profit customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. EWEB’s program offers those who have accrued a past-due balance two different repayment options for bringing their accounts up to date over time. 

Non-Profit Support

The Oregon Community Foundation has established the Oregon Community Recovery Grant program to support nonprofits affected by COVID-19. They plan to launch a new statewide application in winter 2021, check their website for details. Nonprofit Association of Oregon has collected information to help non-profits affected by COVID-19, including resources for business continuity and funding opportunities.

Lane County’s Business Information web page has information about federal and state resources. The County is the primary connection for our region to verify state and federal resources. 

PPE for Small Businesses and Childcare Providers in Oregon

The state of Oregon has allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective equipment. The state of Oregon is fulfilling orders at no charge until resources are depleted. Small businesses and childcare providers can submit orders online.

For firms that cannot avoid layoffs, business owners should inform their employees in some form of writing that they are closing and all employees are laid off until further notice. This provides the workers with documentation to claim unemployment insurance. The Oregon Office of Workforce Investment encourages businesses to file a WARN notice when they are laying off staff. The State is tracking these, so it has a sense of the scope of layoffs and can provide that information to federal agencies.

Unemployment Claims

The Oregon Employment Department is the primary resource for information about layoffs and unemployment insurance. For the most current guidance for employers, workers, and job seekers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 virus, please visit the department’s COVID-19 employment-related web page for the latest information.

Work Share program

Businesses that are cutting hours of their employees can take advantage of Oregon’s Work Share program, which enables a flexible response to a layoff 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.

Keeping Business Open and Safe

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance for employers, workers, and specific industries to keep workspaces safe.

Lane Business Link is an online portal created by Lane Community College's Small Business Development Center to support local businesses. Lane Business Link brings together resource partners in a searchable database for businesses throughout Lane County. It connects businesses to resources, advisers, funding, and education. Lane Business Link also monitors the business support ecosystem, convenes regular summits of its partners, and shares educational opportunities and information.

Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce has multiple resources to help businesses navigate this situation. The Eugene and Springfield Area Chambers of Commerce have partnered to provide the new Back to Business Guide, a resource to help businesses navigate the state and county’s new guidelines. The document provides industry-specific, simplified guidelines about preparing a physical space, physical distancing procedures, required safety provisions and best practices, and more. The document will be updated as the State of Oregon and other entities release additional guidance. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has put together a small business guide for businesses impacted by the Coronavirus. 

Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, has combined information about resources and guidance for small businesses affected by COVID-19 and the wildfires.

The Oregon Economic Development Association has a COVID-19 resources page and Business Survival Tips During a Pandemic.

The Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) also has COVID-19 resources, including information on managing supply chains, business continuity and financial resources. OMEP continues to offer an ongoing series of free webinars devoted to COVID-19 and manufacturing.

For the Hospitality Industry

Travel Oregon has created a toolkit for businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries. The toolkit includes communication materials and business resources.

Changes to Beer, Wine, and Cider Rules

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has made a few changes to try and soften the blow for licensees. Delivery of Beer, Wine, and Cider is a privilege that licensees can apply for, and that application process has been streamlined. The license allows for the delivery of beer, wine, and cider to its parking lot or other adjoining area. The privilege also includes the ability to deliver (same day) to Oregon residents. The OLCC website provides guidance.

Business Emergency Planning

The Lane Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can help create an emergency plan for businesses and provide guidance on how to document impacts to your business from COVID-19.

SHINE (Sustainability Hub of Interchange Negotiation Experts) will help you create an emergency plan to deal with the disruption caused by COVID-19. Their experienced staff will also review your current business plan, including an operational assessment and look at management team alignment. SHINE is a program funded through an investment from the Lane Workforce Partnership through state layoff aversion funds.

Telecommuting and Cyber-Security

In response to COVID-19, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has asked broadband and telephone service providers to do what they can to keep residents and small businesses connected. Over 800 companies and associations have signed the pledge to not terminate services, waive late fees, and open Wi-Fi hotspots. For more information, visit the Keep Americans Connected website.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the Nation’s risk advisor, working with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborating to build more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future. On March 13, 2020, CISA released an alert encouraging organizations to adopt a heightened state of cybersecurity when implementing alternate workplace options for their employees. Remote work options – or telework – require an enterprise virtual private network (VPN) solution to connect employees to an organization’s information technology (IT) network. CISA encourages public and private sector organizations to sign-up for Vulnerability Scanning.