Posted
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 08, 2020
About $500,000 to fund four Business Recovery Centers was approved by the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday [June 2].
The Business Recovery Centers are being managed and staffed in partnership with Adelante Mujeres, Beaverton Chamber of Commerce, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and Tualatin Chamber of Commerce. The funding comes from the County’s $104 million federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“As a County, we need to find multiple ways to help our business community,” said Jerry Willey, Washington County Commissioner, District 4. “One of the most important things we can do is get information, resources, and assistance into the community quickly. Working with our expert partners, we know our funds will be used to do just that.”
The Business Recovery Centers are open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff will provide businesses in Washington County with free, one-on-one assistance, information and resources necessary to help owners stabilize and reopen their businesses. Visit businessrecoverycenters.org, for resources in English and Spanish, for locations and contact information. The centers will also provide assistance in other languages, as needed.
"All of our business community has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Maribel De Leon, Director of Microenterprise Programs, Adelante Mujeres. "A major step in helping business owners in these difficult times is to open our doors and let them know that they are all welcome. These centers, with bilingual staff, will be ready to assist businesses in all industries and of all sizes."
In addition to supporting the Business Recovery Centers, the Board approved a framework for more CARES Act funding to build on existing efforts to recover from the pandemic. CARES Act funds are restricted to necessary expenses arising due to the current public health emergency.
“Washington County is committed to helping our community recover from this unprecedented pandemic,” said Pam Treece, Washington County Commissioner, District 2. “We continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to make sure that the people and businesses who call Washington County ‘home’ can meet these economic challenges.”
In May, the County’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Program provided 102 grants to Washington County businesses. Loans are also being processed through the County’s partnership with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) and Craft 3. The County’s partnership with Worksystems Inc. is providing direct technical assistance to businesses going through the reopening process.
For more information, visit Washington County Business Recovery. For guidance on COVID-19 response and state requirements, visit Workplace Guidance Resources.
Media Contact:
Philip Bransford, Public Affairs and Communications Officer503-846-8685
[email protected]