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Oregon Wildfire Update & Weather AdvisoryOver the holiday weekend, Governor Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to two fires. On Saturday, September 3, the Governor announced the Emergency Conflagration Act due to the spread of the Double Creek Fire, now burning nearly 100,100 acres near the community of Imnaha in Wallowa County. On Monday, September 5, the Governor announced the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the spread of the Sturgill Fire which has grown to more than 17,000 acres in the North Minam Drainage within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The declaration allows the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize resources and take unified command.
As wildfire danger grows, more than 40,000 customers in Oregon are expected to lose power in planned shutoffs beginning Friday, September 9 as increased winds are likely to worsen wildfire conditions statewide. Oregonians and visitors can find out if they’re at risk of losing power by searching their address on maps available from Portland General Electric and Pacific Power.
Today, Governor Kate Brown provided an update on wildfires in Oregon. A recording of the briefing is available on YouTube.
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Business Oregon Hosts Series of Webinars in Response to the State Small Business Credit InitiativeOn August 19, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the approval of Oregon’s application for funding under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) for up to $83.5 million. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan reauthorized and expanded SSBCI, which was originally established in 2010 and was highly successful in increasing access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The new SSBCI builds on this successful model by providing nearly $10 billion to states, the District of Columbia, territories, and Tribal governments to increase access to capital and promote entrepreneurship, especially in traditionally underserved communities as they emerge from the pandemic. SSBCI funding is expected to catalyze up to $10 of private investment for every $1 of SSBCI capital funding, amplifying the effects of this funding and providing small business owners with the resources they need to sustainably grow and thrive. State governments submitted plans to Treasury for how they will use their SSBCI allocation to provide funding to small businesses, including through venture capital programs, loan participation programs, loan guarantee programs, collateral support programs, and capital access programs.
Business Oregon is offering several free webinars about the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program in September. The webinar list is below. Descriptions of the webinar content, registration information, and additional details on plans for this investment can be found here.
- Sept. 7 | 9-11 a.m.: SSBCI Overview and Oregon’s Approach (Recording)
- Sept. 7 | 2-4 p.m.: Business Oregon Venture Fund Program and Business Oregon Venture Direct Program (Recording)
- Sept. 8 | 9-11 a.m.: Business Oregon Relender Program and the State of Oregon Loan Loss Reserve Program (Recording)
- Sept. 8 | 2-4 p.m.: Oregon Royalty and Angel Loan Program
- Sept. 9 | 9-11 a.m.: Credit Enhancement Fund
- Sept.9 | 1-3 p.m.: SSBCI Technical Assistance Funding
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Why Guides Registry Opens this WinterTravel Oregon’s Why Guides program, focused on the recognition and promotion of guided tour companies, will reopen program registration on November 1. Similar to last year’s programming, Why Guides will look to register more tour operators, guides and outfitters to receive priority marketing and promotion through advertisements, editorial content, news segments, tradeshows and more. Registered Why Guides will also have the opportunity to apply for Travel Oregon’s Digital Marketing Boost Program for the 22-23 season.
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Oregon Department of Transportation Opens Innovative Mobility Program Micro-Grant ApplicationsYesterday, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced the opening of applications for the agency’s new Innovative Mobility Micro-Grants. The $5,000 grant is the first of the Innovative Mobility Program, a new initiative created in spring 2022. The initiative aims to make it easier for Oregonians to walk, bike, roll, share rides and take public transit.
A range of organizations are eligible to apply for up to $5,000 in grant funding:
- Charities, not-for-profits and businesses providing community services
- Tribal, state and local government agencies
- Metropolitan planning associations and transportation management associations
- Transit agencies and transportation service providers
The micro-grant application form can be found here. Organizations are limited to two grants in a 12-month period, and eligible activities include community events, safety education and awareness activities, maps, signage, bike helmets, racks and locks and repair stations.
In addition, ODOT is interested in learning the kinds of service you would want from the Innovative Mobility Program. Help ODOT understand transportation needs in your community by taking the survey available in English and Spanish.
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Oregon Heritage Releases Impact of Oregon's Main Streets ReportToday, Oregon Heritage released the Impact of Oregon’s Main Streets Report to share how the Oregon Main Street Network strengthens community networks, bolsters the economy, generates state and local tax revenue and fosters social connections across the state.
The report quantifies the impact of the Network between 2011 and 2021, leveraging data provided by local program leaders of Main Street programs, state budgetary figures, Reinvestment Statistics, and IMPLAN, an industry-leading impact modeling platform. Findings in the report reflect the impacts of communities participating in the Main Street Track of the Oregon Main Street Network.
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Confirm Your Tasting Room Details for the 2023 Oregon Wine Touring GuideWhile tasting room information on the Oregon Wine Board consumer website can be updated anytime, September 9 is the deadline for all changes to be captured in the 2023-24 Oregon Wine Touring Guide.
Update your tasting room listing here.
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