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Willamette Valley
Industry News

In this issue:
  • Willamette Valley Fire updates and resources
  • COVID-19 resources
  • Updates to educational opportunities

Fire Updates in the 
Willamette Valley Region


While the Willamette Valley is known for its lush, green hillsides, right now the region, along with much of the West Coast, is experiencing dry, fire-prone conditions, paired with a high-wind weather advisory. With portions of the Willamette Valley currently confronting wildfires, the National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for western Oregon. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. 

In the Willamette Valley, safety is of the utmost importance. Follow updates on the wildfires around the region and beyond by visiting https://www.oregonwinecountry.org/willamette-valley-wildfire-updates-and-resources and https://traveloregon.com/travel-alerts/.

Statewide Fire Information led by Oregon Office of Emergency Management


Information available (not an exhaustive list):
  • Statewide fire updates
  • How to register as safe and search the Red Cross list for loved ones
  • Property owner and homeowner information
  • Mental health resources
  • Food pantry finder
  • How to get important records lost from fire
  • Voting information
  • How to get your mail

Calling all Willamette Valley Lodging Partners


Our Willamette Valley lodging community has come together to support our communities in need. We thank you for your support, and the call to help is not over. As the federal disaster declaration has been signed, the region will see an influx of federal workers in our state, who in addition to the displaced will also need housing. Oregon Office of Emergency Management and FEMA are encouraging hotels and lodging operators to sign up for the Emergency Lodging Assistance Program.

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program
FEMA determines all Emergency Lodging Assistance (ELA) program activations. Upon notice from FEMA, Corporate Lodging Consultants (CLC) communicates ELA Program activation information to hotels through a variety of delivery methods (fax, mail, internet alerts.) CLC encourages prospective hotels to visit the ELA Program website (ela.corplodging.com) to create an account and encourages lodging partners to stay informed on activation alerts, comprehensive program news and updates.
 
Hotel Support Line: 1-866-545-9865
E-Mail: femahousing@clclodging.com
ELA Program website for hotels to register: https://ela.corplodging.com
 

Recreation Closures


National Forest Updates:
All recreation offerings across the Willamette National Forest and Mt. Hood National Forest are currently closed including campgrounds, day use areas, trails, boat ramps and more. Forest Service roads are closed to the public across the Willamette National Forest unless you are vacating the Forest.

Oregon Department of Forestry: All state forests will remain closed until the fire danger goes from “extreme” to “high.” Below are updates on specific forests: 
  • Starting Friday, Sept. 18, the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests will re-open, along with ODF-managed lands in Columbia, Lincoln, Polk, and Benton counties.
  • The Gilchrist and Sun Pass state forests, along with ODF-managed lands in Klamath, Jackson, Josephine, Coos, Douglas and Lane counties, remain closed due to extreme fire danger.
  • The Santiam State Forest remains closed until further notice.​
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Wildfires are affecting large parts of Oregon right now, and we know many of you have questions about the impact the wildfires are having on hunting, fishing, habitat, properties, and ODFW classes and events. This new website provides answers to questions and links to additional resources: ODFW’s Wildfire Impacts

Community Support and Assistance

As these fires rage on and affect thousands of Oregonians, we wanted to share a few resources for those feeling the impact—and a few ways our community can get involved and show their support.

Red Cross Support and Assistance

The Red Cross is providing support and assistance at the following locations throughout the Willamette Valley and Oregon:

  • In the Willamette Valley:
    • Oregon State Fairgrounds: 2330 17th St. NE, Salem
    • Churchill High School: 1850 Bailey Hill Rd, Eugene
  • Around Oregon:
    • Deschutes County Fairgrounds: 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond
    • Douglas County Fairgrounds: 2110 Frear St, Roseburg
    • Josephine County Fairgrounds: 1451 Fairgrounds Rd, Grants Pass
    • Lake County Fairgrounds: 1900 N 4th St, Lakeview
    • Jackson County Expo: 1 Peninger Rd, Central Point

Community Support and Assistance

Our community and local partners are also providing support at the following locations throughout the Willamette Valley:

  • St. Paul Rodeo Grounds: 20025 4th St NE #9612, St. Paul
  • Volcano Stadium: 6700 Field of Dreams Way NE, Keizer
  • Benton County Event Center: 110 SW 53rd St, Corvallis
  • Linn County Expo Center: 3700 Knox Butte Rd E, Albany
  • Polk County Fairgrounds: 520 S Pacific Hwy, Rickreall

How to donate and make a difference:

The following organizations are working to get supplies and funds to help support firefighters, front-line workers, and displaced residents:

SBA Stands Ready to Assist Oregon Businesses and Residents Affected by Wildfires and Straight-line Winds


Virtual Recovery Centers to Open Wednesday, Sept. 16
 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Oregon businesses and residents as a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Jovita Carranza announced.
 
The declaration covers Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion counties as a result of wildfires and straight-line winds that began Sept. 7, 2020.
 
“SBA is strongly committed to providing Oregon with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said Carranza. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
 
In consideration of the public health concerns due to the Coronavirus pandemic, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, SBA will establish a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized assistance to business owners.  In addition, SBA will also open a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters.  Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.
 
Virtual Business Recovery Center and
Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Sunday (7 days/week)
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955
 
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
 
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
 
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
 
Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.188 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
 
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.
 
SBA está lista para Asistir a Negocios y Residentes del Estado de Oregon Afectados por los Incendios Fuera de Control y Vientos en Línea Recta
Se Abren Centros Virtuales de Recuperación el Miércoles, 16 de Septiembre
 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Préstamos federales de desastres a bajos intereses están disponibles para los negocios y residentes del estado de Oregon como resultado de la declaración de desastre mayor del Presidente Trump, anunció la Administradora Jovita Carranza de la Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA).
 
La declaración cubre los condados de Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn y Marion que se vieron afectados por los incendios fuera de control y vientos en línea recta que comenzaron el 7 de Septiembre de 2020.
 
“SBA está firmemente comprometida en brindar a California una respuesta efectiva enfocada al cliente y proporcionar acceso a préstamos federales de desastre para ayudar a los negocios y residentes afectados a financiar su recuperación,” afirmó Carranza. “Lograr que nuestros negocios y comunidades se recuperen y vuelvan a funcionar después de un desastre es la prioridad número uno de SBA.”
 
En consideración a los problemas de salud pública debido al pandémico Coronavirus, el Miércoles, 16 de Septiembre, la SBA establecerá un Centro Virtual de Recuperación de Negocios para darles asistencia personalizada a los dueños de negocios.  Además, la SBA abrirá un Centro Virtual de Promoción y Asistencia para ayudarles a los dueños de casa e inquilinos.  Representantes del Servicio de Cliente estarán disponibles a los dueños de negocios e individuos para contestar las preguntas sobre el programa de préstamos para desastres de SBA, explicar el proceso de solicitar un préstamo y ayudarle a cada persona a completar su solicitud de préstamo electrónicamente.
 
Centro Virtual de Recuperación de Negocios y
Centro Virtual de Promoción y Asistencia
Lunes a Domingo (7 días a la semana)
8 a.m. a 8 p.m. (hora del Este)
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955
 
Negocios de cualquier tamaño y organizaciones privadas sin fines de lucro pueden solicitar préstamos hasta $2 millones de dólares para reparar o reemplazar bienes inmuebles, maquinarias y equipos, inventarios y otros activos. Además, SBA puede prestar fondos adicionales a negocios y dueños de casas para ayudar con el costo de mejoras para proteger, prevenir o minimizar que el mismo tipo de daños no ocurran en el futuro.
 
SBA ofrece Préstamos de Desastres para Pérdidas Económicas a los pequeños negocios, pequeñas cooperativas agrícolas, pequeños negocios involucrados en acuacultura y a la mayoría de organizaciones sin fines de lucro de todos tamaños, para ayudarles a cubrir necesidades de capital de trabajo causadas por el desastre. La asistencia para pérdidas económicas está disponible independientemente de si el negocio sufrió algún daño físico en la propiedad.
 
Los préstamos de desastres disponibles para dueños de casas pueden ser hasta $200,000 para reparar o reemplazar su residencia principal. Dueños de casas e inquilinos pueden solicitar hasta $40,000 para reparar o reemplazar su propiedad personal dañada o destruida.
 
Las tasas de interés de los préstamos pueden ser tan bajas hasta 3 por ciento para negocios, 2.75 por ciento para organizaciones sin fines de lucro y 1.188 por ciento para dueños de casas e inquilinos, por plazos de hasta 30 años. Los montos y términos de los préstamos son establecidos por SBA y se basan en las condiciones financieras de cada solicitante.
 
Para ser considerados para recibir todas las formas de asistencia de desastres, los sobrevivientes deben contactar primero a la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) en www.disasterassistance.gov. Los interesados pueden llenar una solicitud en línea, recibir información adicional sobre asistencia de desastres y descargar la solicitud de préstamo en https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. También pueden comunicarse al Centro de Servicio a Clientes para Asistencia de Desastres de SBA marcando (800) 659‑2955 o enviando un correo electrónico a disastercustomerservice@sba.gov para obtener mayor información. Las personas sordas o con problemas de audición pueden llamar al (800) 877‑8339. Las solicitudes completadas en papel deben enviarse por correo a U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155. 

Free PPE Navigator for Businesses


The Governor’s office, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchases of personal protective supplies for small business. 

Use the Oregon Business Navigator to find resources for your business at https://supplyconnector.org/states/oregon/free-ppe/. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are headquartered in Oregon with principal operations in Oregon are eligible. NOTE: At this time, these are 3-ply civilian masks, not K95 or KN95.

FREE KN95 mask availability for farm, wine & agriculture workers

Governor Kate Brown is directing state agencies to distribute more than 100,000 KN95 masks to Oregon’s agricultural sector.

This critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available at no cost to the agricultural community. The goal is to help protect agricultural workers from exposure to smoke due to wildfires and COVID-19. Several state agencies, including the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University (OSU) Extension, and several community partners, are working together to organize distribution across the state.

 

Click for statewide distribution sites.

 

Paid-leave program for employees who need to quarantine


Salem, OR—A new program starts this week to help people who work in Oregon and need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure, but do not have access to COVID-19-related paid sick leave, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) has announced.

The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program was created with $30 million received from the federal government to help Oregon respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

People who qualify will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they are required to quarantine.

Employees can apply online starting Wednesday, Sept. 16, at oregon.gov/covidpaidleave.
  • The application form is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. Those who do not have access to electronic applications can call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130. Those who need help in a language other than these three can call 503-947-0131 for help.
You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the program:
  • Work in Oregon and required to file an Oregon personal income tax return. 
  • Directed to quarantine by a local or tribal public health authority or health care provider because of exposure to someone infected, or isolating because you have COVID-19-related symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
  • Not able to work (including telework) because you need to quarantine or isolate.
  • Do not expect to earn more than $60,000 individually or $120,000 jointly in 2020.
  • Your employer does not provide COVID-19-related paid sick leave or you have exhausted your available COVID-19-related paid sick leave.
  • Are not applying for or receiving unemployment insurance benefits for the time off due to quarantine or isolation.
  • Are not applying for or receiving workers’ compensation claim benefits due to quarantine or isolation.
  • Are not seeking or using benefits from similar COVID-19 quarantine relief programs in Oregon or another state.
  • Are not applying for or receiving other forms of paid leave from your employer during your quarantine or isolation, such as banked sick leave or vacation leave.
  • Are not laid off or furloughed by your employer.
  • Must have notified your employer that you need to quarantine or isolate.
DCBS and the Department of Revenue are collaborating on the new program to ensure employees meet the necessary eligibility requirements.

Because the available funds are limited, the program is available only to quarantine periods that were in place on or after Sept. 16. Applicants can claim only one quarantine period.

For more information or to apply, go to oregon.gov/covidpaidleave or call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The website also contains an eligibility quiz to help people who are not sure if they qualify.

Register for the 2020 Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit


 
Registration is now open for the 2020 Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit, an entirely virtual experience offering dynamic, weekly programming Sept. 28-Oct. 19, including plenary sessions, webinars, community forums and outdoor-themed film nights.

Hosted by the Oregon Office of Outdoor Recreation, Travel Oregon and the Oregon Trails Coalition, the 2020 summit will bring together two of Oregon’s premier outdoor recreation events: the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit and Oregon Trails Summit. The virtual format will offer unprecedented access and connection opportunities for all of Oregon's outdoor recreation communities and sectors.

Join as Oregon’s diverse outdoor community convenes to learn, build relationships and find solutions to the challenges in developing and elevating outdoor recreation opportunities for all. View the full agenda and register at oregonoutdoorsummit.com.

New Dates– Small Business Marketing Webinar Series


A Small Business Marketing Series has been developed and will be hosted by Travel Oregon and is best suited for small and medium-size businesses and destination management organizations. COVID-19 is forcing us all to get creative, so let’s channel that energy toward making your website the best and most useful it has ever been. With the world turning to the internet for ideas on what can be done (and safely) during a global pandemic, your online media just got a major promotion.

Please find the new schedule for the series below and note that dates in red are pending confirmation. As registration links become available, the Willamette Valley Visitors Association will share our with partners.

COVID-19 Resource Links

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association is continuing to provide helpful COVID-19-related resources for individuals, employers, and non-profits. Up-to-date resources can be found at oregonwinecountry.org.

Other key partner resources:
Facebook
Link
Website
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