What Have OR-OSHA COVID-19 Rules 

Survey from Oregon State Chamber of Commerce

Businesses across the state have been impacted by the new OR-OSHA temporary COVID-19 rules. In order to comply with these rules, businesses face both time and financial costs. Here’s a chart that shows the requirements of the new OR-OSHA temporary rules and a link to the COVID-19 Standard webpage for resources to help with compliance. 

OR-OSHA is planning to make the temporary COVID-19 rules permanent (with possible changes) for the duration of the pandemic, and the agency has asked stakeholders to help estimate the cost of compliance of these new mandates. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a new Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans to answer FAQs on the recently expanded Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Roughly 60,000 borrowers were approved for more than $5 billion in forgivable loans during the first week of the reopened Paycheck Protection Program. More…

As of Tuesday January 19^th, the major PPP lenders are now live! Update and links….

Janet Yellen made the case for another sweeping economic aid package at her hearing to be the next U.S. Treasury secretary Tuesday, pushing back against Republican skepticism of the need for more deficit spending to bolster the recovery. Ms. Yellen, a former Federal Reserve chairwoman, said the incoming Biden administration’s top priority is to relieve suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic, including providing aid for families, businesses and communities hardest hit by the downturn as well as spending to bring the virus under control. Here…

It’s still important to set goals, but you likely need to think differently about timeframe—and significance. Here…

How to break into retail with a niche product, according to Whole Foods CEO John Mackey.

The Small Business Administration is stepping up its efforts to help women entrepreneurs.

SAT Tests: The College Board is eliminating SAT subject tests in areas including math, English literature, world history and physics, as the pandemic accelerates a push for changes in college admissions. Here…

New Columbia County cases = 5

United Way of Columbia County will host the challenge, starting January 18th and ending February 7th, via newsletters sent every day to those who sign up to participate. In the newsletters we will post a series of articles, videos, and podcasts about race and equity for 21 consecutive days. Each challenge will be designed to develop your personal equity lens and will take you no more than 15 minutes a day (unless you choose to do more!). Want to know more?... (insert link to PDF)

To join this challenge, please submit your contact information here:  https://forms.gle/zEBayrBfNqHv4AVd8

We’re partnering with local organizations to spread the word on an effort to get better internet access for everyone. Test your internet speed and learn more https://speedupamerica.com/

PPE for your small business or non-profit – Still available each Friday 

Email info@columbiacountyoregon.com to make arrangements for pick up Friday 10:00 – 3:00 at the CCET offices in the Library building in St. Helens.

FREE disposable face-coverings for customers, washable & re-usable (up to 70 times) face-coverings for employees, sanitizer, gloves, and gowns are back. (1 package of these washable, re-chargeable BioSmart masks will last you a full year. Which calculates to a nickel per mask use…) Order forms can be downloaded here: or right here Order forms . Send your order to us by email

Columbia County Economic Team (CCET) and Keep It Local are working to assist businesses navigate through the Coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic disruption….and plan for recovery. Business survival and retention is a top priority. We all want to emerge from the other side of this able to restore our businesses, livelihoods and economy. Reaching out countywide, Columbia County Economic Team will be communicating with you regularly.