March 18, 2020
Hello Everyone,
As I'm sure you are all aware, the current situation we’re in with the Covid-19 novel coronavirus has us worried about many things, not least of which is the health and sustainability of our small business community.
We are reaching out to you today to affirm that our teams at NAYA, Our 42nd Avenue, and the Cully Blvd Alliance are here for you. As a small business owner you are not alone, we are walking this path together and navigating through with as much grace and optimism as we can muster. As an agency, NAYA has been actively advocating at the local and state level for rent/utility moritoriums, emergency funds, expanded unemployment benefits, and other government programs required to bolster our thriving small business economy during this time.
While relief efforts are evolving by the day, we want to empower you with things you can be doing now to prepare and help your business weather the storm. This is by no means a complete list; if you have specific questions or are curious about support on items you do not see listed here, please reach out to us directly and we can work together to find solutions for your small business.
Here is some information about local utility companies (both residential and commercial) that can help during this time. Portland-area utility providers are suspending automatic service shutoffs in the event of nonpayment:
- Portland General Electric (PGE): Find payment extension information here
- Pacific Power: Call customer service at 1-888-221-7070
- Portland Water Bureau: Apply for financial assistance here
- NW Natural: Customers should call (800) 226- 4211 and contact the billing department to make arrangements.
Have you checked your Business Interruption Insurance Coverage? If your business has been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, your business insurance may have a business interruption clause that covers loss of income as a result of disruptions to your operations from imposed government restrictions. What steps should you take?
- Review your policy now - you can do this by contacting your insurance broker. If your broker is not helpful to you, contact us directly and we can together perform a cursory review. If legal advice is needed, for a subsidized fee we can set up a virtual appointment with an attorney at the Small Business Legal Clinic for further review.
- Document pandemic related business impacts - if you end up filing a claim you will need to have clearly documented loss of income as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
- For more in-depth information on Business Interruption Insurance, click here
Are you concerned about what a closure of business might mean for your employees? Whether you close down entirely for a span of time, reduce hours significantly, or have employees who cannot work due to illness or self-quarantine, we can help with resources to keep them employed long-term and keep cash coming into their accounts.
- Closing down entirely - If you’re shutting your doors for now, your employees can qualify for Temporary Layoff (TLO) unemployment benefits provided their anticipated return date is within 4 weeks. While there’s no guarantee we’ll be back to work in that time frame, it’s a good starting place and at least guarantees your staff payment for the time being. Refer to Page 7 of the Oregon Unemployment Claimant Handbook for eligibility, and Pages 1-3 for instructions on filing.
- Reduction in hours - If you’re cutting your hours down, or are shutting your doors but keeping employees on at reduced hours, Work Share Oregon is a great resource for your employees who will see a drop in their income. Check out the Work Share webpage for more information on how to set this up.
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - The coronavirus relief legislation will provide guidelines on expanded sick-leave time and FMLA for employees who show symptoms of Covid-19, who are caring for a family member with Covid-19 symptoms, or who stay home to care for a child whose school/childcare cannot care for child due to Covid-19, among other qualifing conditions such as tenure with employer. Find more information about this here, and continue to visit the Department of Labor website to check on the current status of FMLA benefits.
Restaurants and Food Service Businesses - We know that Governor Kate Brown’s recent mandate to limit all restaurants and bars to takeout and delivery only for the next four weeks is tough. If you’re not currently set up with a food delivery service and need assistance doing so, please contact us for support. GrubHub is one of many food delivery services, and during this time they are suspending commission collection for independent restaurants. Online signup takes less than 30 minutes, and you can begin that process here.
Links to Resources (for Business Advisor Use):
Portland-area utility providers are suspending automatic service shutoffs in the event of nonpayment:
- Portland General Electric (PGE): Find payment extension information here
- Pacific Power: Call customer service at 1-888-221-7070
- Portland Water Bureau: Apply for financial assistance here
- NW Natural: Customers should call (800) 226- 4211 and contact the billing department to make arrangements.
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Don’t miss any CBA events and opportunities. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter, follow us on Facebook and our newly created LinkedIn page.
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For questions regarding the Cully Blvd Alliance, please contact Eron Riddle, CBA District Manager at eronr@nayapdx.org or by phone at 971-325-6480.
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The Cully Blvd Alliance (CBA) is a coalition of community members and businesses that promotes and fosters opportunity for economic prosperity that cultivates diversity, nurtures community, and empowers the neighborhood.
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