Updated July 8
The State of Oregon announced $20 million in business assistance grants for Oregon counties that were placed into the “Extreme Risk” category in early May 2021. Multnomah County received approximately $5 million of those funds. These funds are intended to help small businesses impacted by public health restrictions, which were put in place to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 cases. Despite many of the COVID-19 restrictions on business activity being lifted, there are still many small businesses in need of further assistance.
Multnomah County is excited to have these additional resources from the State and intends to work quickly to get the funds to the businesses that need them. Following a template set by the last round of business assistance, these funds will be prioritized for businesses that have been financially impacted, with a priority for businesses directly or indirectly affected by public health restrictions, with a focus on small businesses, and women-, Black-, Indigenous-, People of Color-, and Tribal-owned businesses.
Multnomah County is currently analyzing data and meeting with business community leaders to assess the best ways to deploy these resources for the maximum impact and in ways that are consistent with County values and priorities. We are committed to making these funds available as soon as possible.
This page will be updated as soon as more information is available.
COVID Relief for Businesses and Nonprofits
The CARES Act provides funding for businesses and nonprofits through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Other funding options and technical assistance are available through Small Business Administration.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provides grants of up to $10,000 or loans of up to $2 million to qualifying small businesses and nonprofits in Oregon.
- Submit your EIDL application as soon as possible.
- Deadline to submit your application is December 31, 2021.
For questions about EIDL loans, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
Help for your employees
Reduced hours
Work Share Oregon can help your employees if you are cutting your hours or shutting your doors, but keeping employees on at reduced hours. The program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employees whose work time is reduced.
Expanded sick leave
Employees may be eligible for expanded sick-leave and FMLA if they show symptoms of COVID-19, are caring for a family member with COVID-19 symptoms, or stay home to care for a child whose school/childcare are unavailable due to COVID-19.
See Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements for more information.
Culturally Specific Business Organization Resources
- Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Resources for our Community
- Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
- Oregon Native American Chamber
- Portland Area Business Association
Other Resources
- Prosper Portland - COVID-19 Business Resources
- Greater Portland Inc - COVID-19 Business Resources
- The Nonprofit Association of Oregon - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources
- Business Oregon
- Portland Business Alliance - Stay healthy, stay informed: COVID-19
- Oregon Entrepreneur Network
- Oregon Department of Revenue - COVID-19 tax relief options
