Tigard Commercial Assistance & Relief for Economic Stability

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For the latest information, visit the City's Economic Development webpage - https://www.tigard-or.gov/business-development/economic-development

Application window is currently closed

To date, over $3.4 million in financial aid has been awarded.


Tigard CARES - Recovery Ready Grant Program 

City Council allocated an initial $100,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support Tigard businesses. Recovery Ready Grants are intended to help businesses in critical need of funding who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Given the immediate availability of ARPA funds, the City, in coordination with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), is collecting grant applications, reviewing eligibility, and making awards as soon as April 4, 2022. Please review the information below before you start your online application.

Award Amounts

Grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are granted based on documented negative COVID-19 impacts and business need.


Business Eligibility

Small businesses grants must be used to respond to negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. According to federal rules, grants cannot be used to cover negative impacts from longer-term economic trends unrelated to the pandemic. A business owner must be able to relate their grant request to a negative impact from COVID-19. Examples of negative COVID-19 impacts include:

  • Expense incurred for COVID-19 mitigation measures (like PPE) or cost associated with adopting safer COVID-19 operating practices.
  • Increased operating costs due to COVID-19.
  • Retention of employees during State-mandated COVID-19 closures.
  • Decreased revenue due to State-mandated COVID-19 closures.


Federal guidelines identify the Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors as suffering disproportional negative COVID-19 Impacts. Business in these sectors will be prioritized for grant funding. Firms in business sectors with commensurate negative impact will also be considered. As required by ARPA rules, the City of Tigard will publicly report financial assistance provided to businesses and the related negative economic impacts.


Funding Priorities

As in previous rounds of grant making, the City of Tigard may not have sufficient funds to make grant awards to every applicant. The City will use this application process to assess business needs, and determine whether more grant funding should be made available for business support grants. The following information will help determine funding priorities:


  • Business where the owner is the primary earner for their household.
  • Businesses size.
  • Percentage of revenue lost during COVID-19.
  • Percentage of operating cost increase due to COVID-19.
  • Increase of debt to finance business operations during COVID-19.
  • Decrease of personal savings to finance business operations during COVID-19.
  • Businesses located in a Qualified Census Tract.
  • Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector businesses.


Timing

  • Week of March 28th - first round of grant applications will be reviewed. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date.
  • Week of April 4th - Awardees will be notified, and grant awards will start being distributed by our partner MESO.


Depending on assessed need, the City may increase funding for a second round of grant awards to businesses that have not already received funding.

If you have questions about the application or need assistance completing a form, please email tigard0322@mesopdx.org.

Application window is currently closed

To date, over $3.4 million in financial aid has been awarded.


Tigard CARES - Recovery Ready Grant Program 

City Council allocated an initial $100,000 in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support Tigard businesses. Recovery Ready Grants are intended to help businesses in critical need of funding who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Given the immediate availability of ARPA funds, the City, in coordination with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), is collecting grant applications, reviewing eligibility, and making awards as soon as April 4, 2022. Please review the information below before you start your online application.

Award Amounts

Grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are granted based on documented negative COVID-19 impacts and business need.


Business Eligibility

Small businesses grants must be used to respond to negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. According to federal rules, grants cannot be used to cover negative impacts from longer-term economic trends unrelated to the pandemic. A business owner must be able to relate their grant request to a negative impact from COVID-19. Examples of negative COVID-19 impacts include:

  • Expense incurred for COVID-19 mitigation measures (like PPE) or cost associated with adopting safer COVID-19 operating practices.
  • Increased operating costs due to COVID-19.
  • Retention of employees during State-mandated COVID-19 closures.
  • Decreased revenue due to State-mandated COVID-19 closures.


Federal guidelines identify the Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors as suffering disproportional negative COVID-19 Impacts. Business in these sectors will be prioritized for grant funding. Firms in business sectors with commensurate negative impact will also be considered. As required by ARPA rules, the City of Tigard will publicly report financial assistance provided to businesses and the related negative economic impacts.


Funding Priorities

As in previous rounds of grant making, the City of Tigard may not have sufficient funds to make grant awards to every applicant. The City will use this application process to assess business needs, and determine whether more grant funding should be made available for business support grants. The following information will help determine funding priorities:


  • Business where the owner is the primary earner for their household.
  • Businesses size.
  • Percentage of revenue lost during COVID-19.
  • Percentage of operating cost increase due to COVID-19.
  • Increase of debt to finance business operations during COVID-19.
  • Decrease of personal savings to finance business operations during COVID-19.
  • Businesses located in a Qualified Census Tract.
  • Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector businesses.


Timing

  • Week of March 28th - first round of grant applications will be reviewed. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date.
  • Week of April 4th - Awardees will be notified, and grant awards will start being distributed by our partner MESO.


Depending on assessed need, the City may increase funding for a second round of grant awards to businesses that have not already received funding.

If you have questions about the application or need assistance completing a form, please email tigard0322@mesopdx.org.

Grant Recipients Stories

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  • Share BKB Associates on Facebook Share BKB Associates on Twitter Share BKB Associates on Linkedin Email BKB Associates link

    BKB Associates

    almost 6 years ago

    BKB Associates owner Brant Blodgett grew up in rural Willamette Valley and treats his customers with the type of friendly, easygoing demeanor you would expect from a lifelong Oregonian.

    “We started this business to help smaller companies in a personal way with the task of making their office look great without breaking the bank,” says Brant.

    After graduating from Oregon State University in 1988, Brant began his career in sales and marketing. Along the way, he spent seven years working with a prominent furniture and industrial products company. After gaining experience in the industry, Brant decided to open his own... Continue reading

    BKB Associates owner Brant Blodgett grew up in rural Willamette Valley and treats his customers with the type of friendly, easygoing demeanor you would expect from a lifelong Oregonian.

    “We started this business to help smaller companies in a personal way with the task of making their office look great without breaking the bank,” says Brant.

    After graduating from Oregon State University in 1988, Brant began his career in sales and marketing. Along the way, he spent seven years working with a prominent furniture and industrial products company. After gaining experience in the industry, Brant decided to open his own company and launched BKB Associates in Tigard in 2004.

    With Brant's sales and marketing background as a guide, BKB Associates helps companies with commercial office furnishings, outfitting everything from cubicles to private office furniture of all kinds. For Brant, customer service is the fun part of his job – he always enjoys meeting new clients and building relationships with the companies he works with.

    “We're a small but mighty company and we really value building long-lasting relationships with our clients,” Brant says.

    With industries across the economy either halting business or transitioning to remote operations, demand for Brant and BKB’s services has slowed considerably in recent months. To help with operating costs, BKB Associates was awarded a $1,500 grant through the Tigard CARES program. “The process of applying and receiving the grant was quick and helped bridge the gap while other income sources were being figured out,” says Brant. “We’re very grateful!”

    Brant adds, “business activity is still very slow for us, but we’re hopeful that customers will want to redo their offices as we adjust to new times. If you need a new chair, desk, or reception counter, please give me a call!”

    To learn more about BKB Associates, visit www.bkbassociates.com.

  • Share Corrective Step Foot Health Center on Facebook Share Corrective Step Foot Health Center on Twitter Share Corrective Step Foot Health Center on Linkedin Email Corrective Step Foot Health Center link

    Corrective Step Foot Health Center

    almost 6 years ago

    While receiving his education and training at Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Dr. Ejiro Isiorho (pictured) was troubled by the impersonal and hurried nature of the medical profession. “It feels like many providers focus on getting patients in and out the door fastest instead of helping them get better,” says Ejiro. Disheartened by this revolving door approach to medicine, Ejiro saw a better way and decided to open Corrective Step Foot Health Center with compassion and patient education at the forefront of his practice.

    With nearly 130 years of combined health care experience under one roof, Corrective... Continue reading

    While receiving his education and training at Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Dr. Ejiro Isiorho (pictured) was troubled by the impersonal and hurried nature of the medical profession. “It feels like many providers focus on getting patients in and out the door fastest instead of helping them get better,” says Ejiro. Disheartened by this revolving door approach to medicine, Ejiro saw a better way and decided to open Corrective Step Foot Health Center with compassion and patient education at the forefront of his practice.

    With nearly 130 years of combined health care experience under one roof, Corrective Step Foot Health Center has provided a high level of service with a personal touch to the Tigard community since 2014. Ejiro and his fellow practitioners take time and care to ensure patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options. “Everyday is a humbling experience,” say Ejiro. “I meet people from all walks of life, each with their own experiences but with the same desire – to get better, get healthy, and gain a better understanding of why they became ill in the first place.”

    Unlike many businesses, Corrective Step Foot Health Center is considered an essential service, allowing them to remain open with reduced hours and enhanced social distancing protocols during the ongoing pandemic. Ejiro has also begun seeing patients via telemedicine appointments. Nonetheless, normal patient volume has dropped by 50 percent in recent months.

    Despite the decline in business, Ejiro remains optimistic. “I will continue to build the business and adapt with the changes, hopefully coming out stronger and better suited to keep our community healthy and safe,” says Ejiro.

    With a steep decline in patient visits, Corrective Step Foot Health Center was awarded a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant that has helped support employee payroll during the downturn. “City of Tigard has been very responsive to the needs of small businesses in Tigard,” says Ejiro. “The Tigard CARES grant was the first one we received and definitely helped ease some of the pressure. For that, I’m grateful.”

    To learn more about Corrective Step Foot Health Center, visit www.correctivestep.com/.

  • Share Oregon Music Academy on Facebook Share Oregon Music Academy on Twitter Share Oregon Music Academy on Linkedin Email Oregon Music Academy link

    Oregon Music Academy

    almost 6 years ago

    With budget cuts forcing the elimination of music programs from local school curriculums, Renee and Matt Dolphin started offering after school music lessons and classes to help fill the growing need for more arts programs. The need was clearly there, and the number of students in Renee and Matt’s programs kept growing. They quickly outgrew their original lesson space, the 100-year-old, one room Rex schoolhouse near Sherwood. To meet demand, Renee and Matt started Oregon Music Academy in 2009, moving into their current facility on the corner of 99W and Durham Road.

    “We have been helping kids and adults learn... Continue reading

    With budget cuts forcing the elimination of music programs from local school curriculums, Renee and Matt Dolphin started offering after school music lessons and classes to help fill the growing need for more arts programs. The need was clearly there, and the number of students in Renee and Matt’s programs kept growing. They quickly outgrew their original lesson space, the 100-year-old, one room Rex schoolhouse near Sherwood. To meet demand, Renee and Matt started Oregon Music Academy in 2009, moving into their current facility on the corner of 99W and Durham Road.

    “We have been helping kids and adults learn, love, and succeed with music for over 19 years,” says Renee and Matt. “We currently serve over 200 student ages two to 92.”

    The statewide stay-at-home order forced Renee and Matt to close their facility in mid-March. The weekend they closed, Renee and Matt quickly moved all their lessons and classes online and the following week Oregon Music Academy’s music teachers were able to work with students online.

    “Some of our students have experienced job losses and are on partial to full scholarships," says Renee and Matt. “Our community of families and employees have been so incredibly generous in helping those students continue with scholarships. And while we know that everyone would prefer to have lessons face to face, they are hanging in there with us doing online music lessons for now.”

    With business curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Renee and Matt were awarded a $1,500 grant through the Tigard CARES program to assist with immediate operating expenses.

    “Tigard was the very first to come through for our business,” says Renee and Matt. “The first few weeks of quarantine were the most stressful and uncertain weeks we've ever experienced in running our business and when we were notified we had received the grant, it was so reassuring to know that Tigard was there for our small, mom and pop business.”

    To learn more about Oregon Music Academy, visit www.OregonMusicAcademy.com.

  • Share Willamette Anxiety Clinic on Facebook Share Willamette Anxiety Clinic on Twitter Share Willamette Anxiety Clinic on Linkedin Email Willamette Anxiety Clinic link

    Willamette Anxiety Clinic

    almost 6 years ago

    Twin sisters Allison and Jennifer Labrousse dreamed of opening their own clinic while studying for their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at George Fox University. Shortly after graduating, Allison and Jennifer opened Willamette Anxiety Clinic to turn their dream into a reality. Utilizing evidence-based treatment, Allison and Jennifer focus on providing counseling services for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, tailoring treatment to their client's specific circumstances, values, and needs.

    “We have a passion for helping our clients experience healing and are dedicated to their mental wellness,” says Allison and Jennifer. “We’ve been in business for one year... Continue reading

    Twin sisters Allison and Jennifer Labrousse dreamed of opening their own clinic while studying for their Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at George Fox University. Shortly after graduating, Allison and Jennifer opened Willamette Anxiety Clinic to turn their dream into a reality. Utilizing evidence-based treatment, Allison and Jennifer focus on providing counseling services for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, tailoring treatment to their client's specific circumstances, values, and needs.

    “We have a passion for helping our clients experience healing and are dedicated to their mental wellness,” says Allison and Jennifer. “We’ve been in business for one year, and it’s truly been a privilege and joy to work with our clients and walk alongside them in their healing journey.”

    As their work typically involves face-to-face interaction, Allison and Jennifer have been forced to pivot their business model due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting to the times, Allison and Jennifer are now taking appointments via telehealth, providing an opportunity to engage in remote therapy with their clients.

    While telehealth has allowed Allison and Jennifer to continue their therapy work, they nonetheless lost one third of their total revenue during March and April. To assist with operating expenses, Allison and Jennifer were awarded a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant.

    “The grant has significantly reduced the overall stress of making ends meet during this time,” says Allison and Jennifer. “We are thankful to still be open, and we have the Tigard CARES grant award to thank for that! We look forward to serving individuals in the Tigard and surrounding area for many years to come.”

    To learn more about Willamette Anxiety Clinic, visit www.willametteanxietyclinic.com.

  • Share Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic on Facebook Share Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic on Twitter Share Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic on Linkedin Email Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic link

    Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic

    almost 6 years ago

    Abby Drinkard and Marianna Dubova (pictured) opened Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic in October 2001 after graduating from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Marianna and Abby had been study partners at school and opened their clinic with a vision to provide complementary and alternative medicine treatments and educate the community about the importance of mind and body healing and wellness.

    “We are a very small business, women run and operated,” says Abby and Marianna. “This coming October we will be starting our 20th year in business and we’ve been in Tigard the whole time. We get patients from... Continue reading

    Abby Drinkard and Marianna Dubova (pictured) opened Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic in October 2001 after graduating from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. Marianna and Abby had been study partners at school and opened their clinic with a vision to provide complementary and alternative medicine treatments and educate the community about the importance of mind and body healing and wellness.

    “We are a very small business, women run and operated,” says Abby and Marianna. “This coming October we will be starting our 20th year in business and we’ve been in Tigard the whole time. We get patients from all over the region, from Tigard to the eastside of Portland. We feel very fortunate to be able to provide care to all of these people.”

    The COVID19 pandemic and state stay at home mandate forced the clinic to close for nearly two months, which made paying overhead expenses very difficult and left Abby and Marianna with no income. To assist with rent and utility payments, Abby and Marianna received a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant.

    “We were extremely grateful to the city of Tigard for the grant we received and how quickly they responded to our needs,” says Abby and Marianna. “We are very impressed with how the city handled this crisis and how responsive they have been to the small businesses in the area. Personal phone calls are much appreciated. We felt connected to our community and will be forever grateful.”

    Abby and Marianna were able to reopen in early May but had to alter how they do business, wearing personal protective equipment and screen incoming patients for COVID-related symptoms. They also now both work part time and on opposite days of the week, seeing one patient at a time with a 30-minute break in between appointments to sanitize their space.

    “This is all very new to us and our patients, but safety and well-being of our patients and ourselves is definitely a priority,” says Abby and Marianna. “We are hopeful and optimistic that we will bounce back to our normal routine and full schedule in the next several months.”

    To learn more about Pacific Northwest Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic, visit www.pacnwacupuncture.com.

  • Share Mai's Travel Service on Facebook Share Mai's Travel Service on Twitter Share Mai's Travel Service on Linkedin Email Mai's Travel Service link

    Mai's Travel Service

    almost 6 years ago

    Mai Harlan started Mai’s Travel Service 26 years ago to break out on her own after being employed by another travel company for seven years. Working with both business and leisure travelers, Mai builds highly customized travel arrangements that save time and make travel fun and hassle free. Mai loves helping people embark on new adventures by experiencing and exploring the world. She prides herself on timely, efficient service for her clients and works hard to provide the best travel options available.

    Mai’s began experiencing difficulties related to COVID-19 in mid-February, when her clients began cancelling trips due to flight... Continue reading

    Mai Harlan started Mai’s Travel Service 26 years ago to break out on her own after being employed by another travel company for seven years. Working with both business and leisure travelers, Mai builds highly customized travel arrangements that save time and make travel fun and hassle free. Mai loves helping people embark on new adventures by experiencing and exploring the world. She prides herself on timely, efficient service for her clients and works hard to provide the best travel options available.

    Mai’s began experiencing difficulties related to COVID-19 in mid-February, when her clients began cancelling trips due to flight suspensions and overall uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. Mai’s difficulties escalated from that point onward, and by mid-April all reservations for travel up to September had been cancelled.

    “I am working very hard, providing my services for free to help reschedule or cancel to accommodate my clients’ needs without taking any more funds out of my pocket,” says Mai.

    With business curtailed, Mai was awarded a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant to help cover basic operating expenses. “The Tigard CARES grant process was seamless, fast, easy and a big help for my business,” says Mai. “Thank you to the City of Tigard!”

    In terms of the future of travel, Mai see a long road to recovery for the industry, with most travelers sticking close to home until the number of COVID-19 cases drastically declines. She sees domestic travel starting back up quickest for business travelers and out of state family visits, with international and cruise travel likely taking longer to recover and relaunch with social distancing measures in place.

    “If and when you decide to travel again, please keep in mind that travel advisors like myself are here for you,” Mai adds. “Get an agent – it’s the smart way to travel!”

    To learn more about Mai’s Travel Service, visit www.maistravel.com.

  • Share Fido's on Facebook Share Fido's on Twitter Share Fido's on Linkedin Email Fido's link

    Fido's

    almost 6 years ago

    Combining beer and dogs, two things Pacific Northwesterners love best, Fido’s is “The World’s First Dog Tap House” and anything but your typical brewpub. Sure, they have adult beverages (40 taps of beer, wine and cider to be exact) and a wide-ranging food menu, but the main attraction is on four legs. Dedicated to world class beer and the welfare of dogs, Fido’s is the first (and still only) bar in the world that fosters rescue dogs, featuring anywhere from four to six pooches who live at the bar until they’re adopted. Dogs reside in a special “fido room,” where... Continue reading

    Combining beer and dogs, two things Pacific Northwesterners love best, Fido’s is “The World’s First Dog Tap House” and anything but your typical brewpub. Sure, they have adult beverages (40 taps of beer, wine and cider to be exact) and a wide-ranging food menu, but the main attraction is on four legs. Dedicated to world class beer and the welfare of dogs, Fido’s is the first (and still only) bar in the world that fosters rescue dogs, featuring anywhere from four to six pooches who live at the bar until they’re adopted. Dogs reside in a special “fido room,” where customers can visit with the pups and, if inspired, adopt.

    “We started this business to provide a fun, welcoming and educational social environment that inspires people to adopt homeless dogs,” says owners Scott and Vee Porter.

    As a customer-based business, the COVID-19 crisis has hit Fido’s hard. Scott and Vee have run specials in an effort to attract community support, but with no dine-in customers sales have been down 80% since the Governor’s executive stay-at-home order. Fido’s received a $1,500 grant through the Tigard CARES program to assist with immediate operating expenses. “Before the Tigard CARES grant, we had received zero funding help from the government,” says Scott and Vee. “Thank you to the City of Tigard for supporting local businesses.”

    To learn more about Fido’s, visit http://ilovefidos.com/.

  • Share Vaughan Computer Networking on Facebook Share Vaughan Computer Networking on Twitter Share Vaughan Computer Networking on Linkedin Email Vaughan Computer Networking link

    Vaughan Computer Networking

    almost 6 years ago


    Henry “Hank” Vaughan (pictured) started Vaughan Computer Networking out of necessity. Let go from his job at a large firm, Hank decided to open his own company with the niche of maintaining computer systems exclusively for dental offices. This includes specialized digital imaging and x-ray equipment that dental offices rely on to diagnose patients.

    Starting out with four clients Hank knew from his previous job, Vaughan Computer Networking has grown by word of mouth since opening in 2003. “Most of my customers have been with me almost two decades,” Hank says. “At one point we had 150 clients in three... Continue reading


    Henry “Hank” Vaughan (pictured) started Vaughan Computer Networking out of necessity. Let go from his job at a large firm, Hank decided to open his own company with the niche of maintaining computer systems exclusively for dental offices. This includes specialized digital imaging and x-ray equipment that dental offices rely on to diagnose patients.

    Starting out with four clients Hank knew from his previous job, Vaughan Computer Networking has grown by word of mouth since opening in 2003. “Most of my customers have been with me almost two decades,” Hank says. “At one point we had 150 clients in three states. Now it’s down to around 20 dedicated customers who depend on me to maintain systems in their dental practices 24/7 year-round.”

    With so many clients to assist, there’s never a dull moment in Hank’s day. “I love the diversity of the work. It keeps me sharp every day,” Hank says. “I can have no phone calls one day then the next a server goes down, halting production for an entire office. The doctors tend to get anxious when that happens, but I am always ready to take on whatever they throw at me.”

    Outside of work, Hank is passionate about helping America’s veterans (he is a veteran himself) and volunteers on the board of directors for the non-profit Salute to Veterans Car & Motorcycle Show. Last year’s event raised $30,000 to support local veterans’ programs, including Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Salvation Army Veterans & Family Center. Hank and his family are also passionate about their Tigard roots. "We raised our children in Tigard, from Kindergarten to elementary to middle school and, of course, we’re all Tigard Tigers here," said Hank. " Even with college and beyond, we are still here in Tigard. We would never leave.”

    The COVID-19 crisis has caused dental offices to greatly curtail their services, throwing Hank’s business into disarray. Being a resourceful business owner, Hank has pivoted his services to keep his clients up and running, offering discounted remote services and devising methods to allow his clients to service their own equipment while in the office. Even with new processes in place, business has come to a standstill. “Our monthly income went from a comfortable work week that more than paid the bills and had us planning retirement to an income of zero dollars since March 15th,” Hanks said.

    Vaughan Computer Programming was awarded a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant to assist with immediate operating expenses. “I received personal attention from the City of Tigard when I needed it the most,” said Hank. “The City of Tigard is the only one so far that has provided help for me. I’ve been in business in Tigard since 2003 and wouldn’t go anywhere else. The grant funding definitely saved my business when this all started, so many thanks!”

  • Share The Tamale House on Facebook Share The Tamale House on Twitter Share The Tamale House on Linkedin Email The Tamale House link

    The Tamale House

    almost 6 years ago


    The Tamale House has been in Tigard for nearly 10 years. Owner Maria Magdalena Jump learned about the emergency relief grant after the City of Tigard and the Tigard Chamber of Commerce reached out to her. If it hadn’t been for that intentional contact, she likely would not have known about the grant opportunity.

    Two major barriers that kept The Tamale House from being able to get funding in the past were not having the right documentation to fill the requirements and not being able to navigate the traditional banking system.

    With a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant, The Tamale House... Continue reading


    The Tamale House has been in Tigard for nearly 10 years. Owner Maria Magdalena Jump learned about the emergency relief grant after the City of Tigard and the Tigard Chamber of Commerce reached out to her. If it hadn’t been for that intentional contact, she likely would not have known about the grant opportunity.

    Two major barriers that kept The Tamale House from being able to get funding in the past were not having the right documentation to fill the requirements and not being able to navigate the traditional banking system.

    With a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant, The Tamale House was able to pay for part of its commercial rent and purchase inventory to keep making the tamales that are their primary product. The grant made it possible for The Tamale House to reopen – and keep its doors open – after being shut down for one week.

    To learn more about The Tamale House, visit http://tamalehouse.com/

    Story courtesy of MESO

  • Share GDL Screen Printing on Facebook Share GDL Screen Printing on Twitter Share GDL Screen Printing on Linkedin Email GDL Screen Printing link

    GDL Screen Printing

    almost 6 years ago

    Brothers Ramón and Carlos Diaz dreamed of starting their own screen printing business in Oregon. They had years of experience, so in 2015 they started their business in the garage of Ramón's house. By combining their efforts in the sales and production area, in a short time the business grew.

    In 2017, the garage space was no longer sufficient. So, with a loan from MESO, they moved to a commercial space in Tigard and acquired more equipment that allowed them to increase their production and gave more reliability to the business. In just a few months, production doubled.

    Unfortunately, due... Continue reading

    Brothers Ramón and Carlos Diaz dreamed of starting their own screen printing business in Oregon. They had years of experience, so in 2015 they started their business in the garage of Ramón's house. By combining their efforts in the sales and production area, in a short time the business grew.

    In 2017, the garage space was no longer sufficient. So, with a loan from MESO, they moved to a commercial space in Tigard and acquired more equipment that allowed them to increase their production and gave more reliability to the business. In just a few months, production doubled.

    Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, sales have decreased, but the business remains open. Ramon and Carlos have looked for business support resources. Although they have not found support from traditional banks, they are very grateful for the $1,500 grant they received from the City of Tigard. This money will allow them to pay the rent for their business this month and continue to support the local economy.

    They plan to continue working with MESO to learn more about accounting, marketing, and sales. Despite the difficult times that Ramón and Carlos are currently experiencing, they want to continue to grow and plan to hire 4 employees in a couple of years, and to have the possibility of paying for their children’s college tuition.

    "If we have a dream, we have to fight for it. To be an entrepreneur, you don't have to settle. You have to improve yourself, inform yourself and take risks,” Carlos says.

    To learn more about GDL Screen Printing, visit www.gdlscreenprinting.com.

    Story courtesy of MESO