The Greater Eastern Oregon Development Corporation (GEODC) has been awarded $370,000 from Business Oregon to support small businesses in its seven-county region.
Business Oregon approved $5 million statewide in the second round of grants through the Emergency Business Assistance Grant Fund to help businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 but have not received federal CARES Act funding.
Umatilla County received $200,000 while Morrow County received $30,000.
The program is for businesses with fewer than 25 employees and encourages providing access to sole proprietors and historically disadvantaged business owners.
How much can a small business or 501C3 non-profit receive?
- 1-5 employees $2,500
- 6-10 employees $10,000
- 11-15 employees $7,500
- 16-20 employees $10,000
- 20-25 employees $12,500
Businesses may use the proceeds for any business-related operating expense, including the cost of reopening while abiding by state guidance.
Application Process
Step one: Business owner completes the application and demographic questionnaire. Email us at uecbrc@gmail.com for the link to the application and demographic questionnaire.
Step two: For businesses with 5 or more employees, we will need a copy of Form 132 which is sent to the Oregon Department of employment quarterly. The Q4 2019 or Q1 2020 forms are acceptable. This form denotes the number of FTE for the employer.
Step three: Applicants must provide a Profit and Loss (income statement) for January or February 2020 and one from March or April of 2020 and gross revenues must have decreased 50 percent. If the business was ordered to close per Governor’s Executive Order 20-12, then they do not need to provide this information.
Step four: Once the first three steps are completed, forward the information to Susan Christensen by one of the following ways:
- E-mail susan.christensen@geodc.net
- Fax 541-276-6071
- Mail to P.O. Box 1041, Pendleton, Ore., 97801
Questions? Call 541-612-7142.
Once the grant is “approved,” GEODC will notify Business Oregon and they will verify the applicant has not already received funds from this program.
Step five: The final step in the process is having the grant applicant sign the grant agreement (certification of acceptance) and complete a W—9. Then GEODC will send a check.
The Umatilla Electric Cooperative Business Resource Center provides free, confidential business advising. The center can be reached by emailing or calling uecbrc@gmail.com or 541-289-3000.
