A new fund is available to help get local small businesses back on their feet.
The Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce and Stayton Area Rotary have teamed up to create the Stayton Regional Small Business Relief Fund. The fund will help small businesses financially hurt by pandemic closures to reopen and operate in compliance with new government guidelines.
“The Chamber has been working tirelessly to advocate for small businesses during COVID-19,” said Carmélle Bielenberg, SSCOC chief executive officer. “The needs of our local business community far outweigh the available programs, and we wanted to step into the gap. We reached out to both the local city government and Rotary to discuss possible partnerships that would allow us to help those in need.”
According to Bielenberg, Rotary stepped in to use its non-profit tax status to receive grants or accept donations. The Chamber wanted help to support local businesses which might not qualify for other forms of funding,
she added.
Through its charitable foundation, Rotary offered to launch the relief effort with $15,000. The Chamber is applying for grants to add to the fund. Additionally, Mike and Steffani Klein, the owners of Cascade Floors, have dedicated $100,000 in matching funds toward the relief effort. For each dollar a business, individual or organization contributes, the Kleins will personally match the amount.
Individuals, businesses, and organizations not impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown are asked to join Rotary and SSCOC in donating to the fund to help as many businesses as possible meet Phase 1 requirements to reopen.
“Restaurants have been required to adapt and … can only open their dining rooms at half capacity,” Bielenberg said of Phase 1 requisites. “Restaurants generally operate at a 5 percent margin. Some of these businesses, like gyms, salons, massage parlors, have already been unable to earn an income for two months and are now being required to invest money in additional safety measures at their establishments in order to reopen.”
A grant committee has been established to oversee the gifting. Members are Jennifer Tiger, chamber board secretary and Rotarian; Debbie Voepel, chamber board treasurer and Rotarian; Karen Andall, Rotarian; and Bielenberg.
“It’s our hope that these grants will offset additional out-of-pocket costs and allow businesses to get back on their feet quickly,” Bielenberg added. “The more support we can offer our local communities, the less likely we are to lose vital businesses as a result of this pandemic.”
Grant funds may be used for the purchase of items such as protective equipment, plexiglas barriers or signs.
For the purposes of the grant, small businesses are defined as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other business entity with 15 or fewer employees.
The relief fund is designed to help businesses through Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville/Turner, Scio/Jefferson, and the Santiam Canyon.
Applications will become available June 1 on the SSCOC website as well as the SSCOC and Rotary social media pages. It is anticipated grants will be awarded weekly on a first-come, first-served basis, sas long as funda are available.
“The Stayton Regional Small Business Relief Fund will ensure businesses that otherwise might not make it, due to COVID, are able to survive by helping them get back on their feet,” Bielenberg said.
“It’s our hope that as businesses … will thrive and maybe even give back to the fund, thus enabling it to become an ongoing fund that will aid businesses in need, even after the COVID-related threat ceases.”
MAPs Credit Union has added $1,000 to the fund.
To donate, make checks payable to Stayton Area Rotary Foundation, c/o Small Business Relief Fund, and mail to: P.O. Box 267, Stayton, OR 97383 or drop off at the Stayton branch of Columbia Bank.
Donations can also be made online to the Stayton Area Rotary Foundation at https://squareup.com/store/stayton-area-rotary-foundation.
For more information, call the SSCOC office at 503-769-3464.
