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

Do you ever find yourself asking “If I’m making a profit, why is my bank account is so low?” Cash planning and management is the key to keeping your profits flowing and your bank account full. This webinar will help you understand your cash flow, take steps to manage your cash and keep your business strong.

Join us October 7 for the next in our business education webinar series.

Topic: Cash Flow Planning for Small Businesses

Date/time: October 7, 9am-10:30am

Presenter: Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Capital Access Team

Cost: Free

Access webinar on October 7 via Zoom: https://Bizcenter.zoom.us/j/93888894036

Presented by Bruce Melzer, Strategic Advisor with Oregon Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network’s Capital Access Team. Bruce specializes in helping small businesses owners with business planning, finance strategy development and accessing funding.

Manufacturers are facing significant challenges as they seek to retain and recruit skilled workers. Attend this webinar with OMEP to get practical tips on how small and mid-sized manufacturers can:

• Utilize affordable technologies to enhance training
• Improve retention in your existing workforce
• Build stronger supply chains through domestic sourcing

Join us November 3^rd for the next in our business education webinar series to learn skills to help your business thrive.

Topic: Solving Manufacturing Workforce Challenges Through Technology

Date/time: November 3, 9am-10am

Presenter: Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)

Cost: Free

Pre-register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3vSGpYQdSpG0uhRlzgKRYA

During the webinar, we'll hear from local manufacturer Alan Weddenbern, who is using several retention and training strategies, including a unique utilization of technology to combat workforce challenges common to businesses today.

Presented by Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP) and co-hosted by the cities of Forest Grove, Sherwood, Wilsonville and Tigard.

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

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

Washington County Program

Washington County is making available to Washington County businesses limited quantities of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) you need to reopen and recover. This program is part of Washington County’s Small Business Emergency Assistance (SBEA) program.

Learn more and order supplies

State of Oregon Program

Governor Brown has announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small businesses and child care providers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective supplies. The state of Oregon is fulfilling orders at no charge until resources are depleted.

Learn more and order supplies

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

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/

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.

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