Friday 4/17/20 - Update from the DBBA

I hope that you are all hanging in there. 
 
In case you missed it, here is information on the most current news from Kate Brown on the plan to reopen Oregon, and here an update on the SBA small business loans.
 
We also have a plethora of websites aimed at helping local businesses get much-needed customers, SOS Bend just launched this week, Visit Bend created this page, KTVZ created this page, there is a new charity-based website for Bend businesses here, and our own downtownbend.org is almost completely updated with the new “Downtown Online” pages.
 
For staying connected, I recommend tuning into Bend Chamber’s weekly webinar (click here to view last week's), Matt Hand’s Show up Central Oregon is also tackling a lot of great issues, Let's Keep Connected has some valuable content, and you can view updates from Governer Brown here, and sign up for updates from Jeff Merkely and Representative Helt.  

In addition, check out:
Good News from Downtown Bend
Our Favorite Product ThisWeek
& our We’re Open in Downtown YouTube video
 
Last week our Board of Directors voted to defer EID payments for 90 days.  So the City will send out the annual EID bill, as usual, in May - but building owners will be able to delay their payment without a penalty.  The Board also voted to extend all Downtown directory kiosk ads for an additional 6 months at no extra charge and to suspend billing until September.
 
Right now, we have cut all non-essential staff and programs (to save money for whatever the future may hold), and with the remaining 1.5 FTE we've adjusted our focus to concentrate on marketing, and helping the public know what businesses are still open & how they can shop and dine with them.  We are also working with businesses one-on-one to help them adjust their business models to offer online services, and in some cases, we're helping them get their stores online.  Let us know if you need individual assistance.  Additionally, of course, we still have Ryan on the street every morning cleaning and checking for safety issues (Thank you, Ryan!).  As soon as this has passed, we'll be ready to bring all staff back to full-time and hit the ground running to make sure that Downtown Bend is as unique and vibrant as it was before this crisis hit.  
 
Finally, we are accepting applications for new board members.  You can find all the information and the application by clicking here.
 
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of any assistance.
 
Stay well & stay hopeful, 
Mindy Aisling
Executive Director 
Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) 

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