Business Advocacy & Resources | November 2020

As a bar or restaurant, we know that this latest "freeze" is heartbreaking - and as the owner of any small business, we know that you might be apprehensive about what is to come.  We thought that you might like to know about what advocacy is being done on your behalf, and what resources are available. 

Advocacy

The Independent Restaurant Alliance of Oregon (IRAO), and over 300 members from the group have signed a new letter to Governor Kate Brown and officials asking for some relief and help for local restaurants and bars.  You can read more here.  

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The Coronavirus Recovery Business Coalition, a large and diverse alliance of businesses and business associations, sent the attached letter to Governor Brown, urging her to pause on any future business closures or curtailed operations and instead engage in a series of actions the state can take to slow the spread of the virus.  Please see the document below for more information. 

coronavirus_recovery_business_coalition_letter_nov_13_2020.pdf
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Mainstreet Partnerships and Downtown Associations across the state of Oregon, including but not limited to, The Dalles Downtown Association, Astoria Downtown Association, Downtown Beaverton, Alberta Main Street, Hillsboro Downtown Partnership, Newburg Downtown, and Klamath Falls have written a letter urging the Governor to call a special session in November to take up the issue of To-Go Cocktails.  Please see the attached draft letter adopted from the IRAO website that was used as a template.  

to-go_cocktails_letter_to_state_reps.docx
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On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, fifty-one leaders throughout the State of Oregon including members of the Oregon Senate & Oregon House, and Commissioners from fourteen counties - including all three commissioners of Klamath County - sent a letter to Governor Kate Brown urging her to stop the one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 mandates. The letter asks for each county to control themselves.  Read more here. 

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The Oregon Beverage Alliance drafted a petition asking local lawmakers to support Oregon’s breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, restaurants and bars by opposing tax increases here: https://donttaxmydrink.org/petition/. 

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Resources

As the economic impacts of the pandemic continue, the Oregon legislature and Governor Kate Brown have allocated millions more in grant funding for Business Oregon to deliver into the hands of small businesses across Oregon. Thursday November 19, the grant application form and additional details will be go live on Business Oregon’s website.

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Shutting down your business can mean laying off employees who may have just returned to work after navigating a broken unemployment system. Directing laid off staff to the following resources as quickly as possible is the best way to ensure they can access the benefits they’ll need:

1. If you need to lay off your employees, all employees should restart their Unemployment Insurance claims or apply if they did not earlier this year.  Please encourage your employees to apply for this benefit, this is an insurance program that they paid into and drawing from it now is exactly the reason that they paid into the fund. 
   
2. Other industries are looking for employees right now, the Oregon Employment Department maintains a database of available job openings here.
   
3. NeighborImpact provides rental and mortgage assistance
   
4. Your employees may qualify for health care coverage via the Oregon Health Plan
   
5. Oregon Trail (EBT Cards) provide food and cash benefits for qualifying individuals
   
6. NeighborImpact maintains a listing of food pantries and meal sites for individuals and families in need here

If you need additional help please call the City of Bend's business assistance line at 541-323-7151.  The City of Bend will also return to posting updates and assistance opportunities at bendoregon.gov/bizresources as well.

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