Tigard Business Support

Because running a small business is challenging, the City of Tigard's economic development division has created three new programs to help you succeed in business. Each of the programs outlined below connects you to resources to build and grow your business in Tigard by building a business support network.

1. Business Support Scholarship is a reimbursement which can cover up to 50 percent of the cost of advising services, training, and course work for business owners. This program saves you money, helps you build a business support network and improve your business management skills. More information: www.engage.tigard-or.gov/bizscholarships
2. Advance Tigard is a career advancement program that helps Tigard residents advance their careers at Tigard-based businesses. This program provides a matching grant for career education/training expenses when an employer and employee develop a career pathway plan and make a financial commitment to advancing an employee's career. More information: https://www.engage.tigard-or.gov/advancetigard
3. Business License Fee Waiver is a one-time, one-year City of Tigard business license fee waiver for new business owners who complete a business-focused training. More information: www.tigard-or.gov/business_license_fee_waiver/index.php

Temporary Outdoor Business Activities Program

To support local businesses during the ongoing public health emergency related to COVID-19, the City of Tigard is implementing a program to temporarily relax some rules related to outdoor business activities in commercial zones. There are two components to this program.

• Expansion of business activities onto outdoor private property does not require a permit, but does require that certain standards are met.
• Expansion of business activities into the public right-of-way, such as sidewalks and plazas requires a temporary permit. The application for that permit.

Click here for more information on the outdoor business program.

In April 2020, the City of Tigard introduced Tigard CARES (Commercial Assistance & Relief for Economic Stability), an emergency assistance program to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. In collaboration with community development financial institution (CDFI) partners Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) and Craft3, Tigard CARES has leveraged local, state, and federal funding for business assistance in the form of grants and loans.

More information at: www.engage.tigard-or.gov/cares

For the latest updates on statewide COVID-19 safety protocols and mandates, visit https://coronavirus.oregon.gov/

The Tigard AID Program provides relief from city utility fees and charges during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Tigard City Council recently approved $2.2 million in customer assistance as part of the Tigard AID Program, including:

• Commercial & residential utility billing credits
• Deferral of alarm permit fees
• Suspending water shutoffs for nonpayment
• Delaying utility bill rate increases

To learn more about benefits business owners and employees may qualify for, visit https://tigard-or.gov/aid/

The Federal Small Business Administration offers help for small businesses affected by COVID-19. For more information on available programs, visit www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options

Tigard Resources

• Tigard CARES - The City of Tigard's emergency business assistance program. Tigard CARES provided financial assistance to help firms overcome the temporary loss of revenue from the COVID-19 crisis.
• Shop Tigard! - Add your business to a list of Tigard businesses offering takeout, delivery, gift cards or otherwise getting creative to continue operating.
• Tigard Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Updates

Regional Resources

• Washington County Business Recovery Centers - Provide resources for Washington County businesses to reopen and recover, including complimentary business consulting services and free personal protective equipment.
• Portland Small Business Development Center
  • Funding Resource Database (updated regularly)
  • Remote advising
• Oregon SCORE Mentors - Remote Advising
• Greater Portland Inc. - Expansive resource list. Updated as new information becomes available.
• A complete list of business advising partners can be found here
  

Small Business Administration / CARES Act

• Paycheck Protection Program - An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
• EIDL Advance Loan - Designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received.
• Express Bridge Loans - Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
• Debt Relief - The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Internal Revenue Service

• Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments - Tax help for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Oregon Employment Department

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - Provides unemployment benefits to workers not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits, including people who are self-employed, independent contractors.
• Work Share - Provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employers whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors.
• Resource Page

Oregon Department of Revenue

• COVID-19 Tax Relief Options

Business Oregon

• Small Business Navigator - Information to assist Oregon small business owners, employees, and others dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.
• Supply Connector - Helps connect businesses and communities with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturers and suppliers to fight the spread of COVID-19 and keep employees safe. This tool provides a searchable database of businesses we have identified that can help provide PPE.

• Arts: Regional Arts & Culture Council
• Technology: Technology Association of Oregon
• Retail: National Retail Federation
• Agriculture: Oregon Dept. of Agriculture | Oregon Farm Bureau
• Restaurant & Lodging: Oregon Restaurant & Lodging | National Restaurant Association
• Childcare: Oregon Early Learning Division
• Construction: Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Assoc. of General Contractors – Oregon
• Tourism: Travel Oregon
• Manufacturing: Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership
• Independent/Freelance/Gig: Oregon Employment Department – Independent Contractors
• Entrepreneur/Startup: Oregon Entrepreneur Network
• Alcohol & Marijuana: Oregon Liquor Control Commission
• Banking: Oregon Bankers Association
• Import-Export: EXIM Bank | NW Trade Adjustment Assistance | Oregon Commercial Service