West Linn Chamber of Commerce

Proud to be helping West Linn businesses grow

  • About
    • Chamber Info
    • Board of Directors
    • Get Involved
  • COVID-19
  • Events
    • Calendar/Upcoming
    • Past Event Photo Gallery
  • Business Directory
    • ADVERTISE – 2021 Guide
    • View Member Business Listings
    • West Linn TO GO!
    • Edit your listing
  • Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • Member Application
    • Current Members login
  • Visitor Info
    • West Linn Neighborhoods
    • Community Links
    • Mt. Hood Territory
  • Contact

March 20, 2020 by shatrine

COVID-19 Updates, Resources & News

Links & Resources for you and your business:

BUSINESS RESOURCES:

Clackamas County Business Resource Centers: Click Here!

CURRENT Grant Watch List:  Click Here

CDC Updates, Recommended Isolation & Quarantine Period for General Population (12/27/21 guidance update): Click Here

Quarantine & Isolation in Clackamas County (12/29/21 update): Click Here

+ Clackamas County Public Health, call 503-742-5300

COVID-19 Testing in Oregon: Click Here

COVID-19 Vaccines & Booster Availability: Click Here

+ Oregon Health Authority PDX, call 971-673-1222

+ Oregon Health Authority, call 1- 800-699-9075

Oregon Occupational Safety & Health, State of Oregon: Click Here

Guide to Employee Retention Tax Credit

Link to: US Chamber Resource Guide Link here.

Oregon Governor’s Updates

Link to: The Governor’s Updates, Information & Resources

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program (PUA)

Link to: Resources from the State of Oregon Employment Department

Clackamas Workforce Partnership

Link to: Workforce Resources

WorkShare Oregon

Link to: Provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs

Operations During Coronavirus Pandemic

Link to: Bureau of Labor and Industries Office Operations

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Link to: Resources for Businesses & Employers

Oregon State Chamber of Commerce

Link to: Resource Guide for Businesses

City of West Linn

Link to: City of West Linn

Filed Under: Uncategorized

March 20, 2020 by shatrine

HR6201 Has Passed

On Wednesday, March 18th, President Trump signed the second coronavirus aid package, H.R. 6201 (The Families First Coronavirus Response Act), into law. Among other things, the bill creates a new emergency paid sick leave benefit that would allow workers to take up to two weeks of paid leave at 100 percent wage replacement in the event of coronavirus symptoms, being subject to federal state or local quarantine, being advised to self-quarantine, or needing to provide coronavirus-related care to a child or family member. An additional 10 weeks of leave at two-thirds wage replacement would be accessible only for workers who need to provide childcare as a result of school closures.

Here is the direct link to the the newly signed HR6201 bill  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

This bill responds to the coronavirus outbreak by providing paid sick leave and free coronavirus testing, expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requiring employers to provide additional protections for health care workers.

Specifically, the bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for nutrition and food assistance programs, including:

  • the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC);
  • the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); and
  • nutrition assistance grants for U.S. territories.

The bill also provides FY2020 appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for nutrition programs that assist the elderly.

The supplemental appropriations provided by the bill are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.

The bill modifies USDA food assistance and nutrition programs to:

  • allow certain waivers to requirements for the school meal programs,
  • suspend the work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), and
  • allow states to request waivers to provide certain emergency SNAP benefits.

In addition, the bill requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency temporary standard that requires certain employers to develop and implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect health care workers.

The bill also includes provisions that:

  • establish a federal emergency paid leave benefits program to provide payments to employees taking unpaid leave due to the coronavirus outbreak,
  • expand unemployment benefits and provide grants to states for processing and paying claims,
  • require employers to provide paid sick leave to employees,
  • establish requirements for providing coronavirus diagnostic testing at no cost to consumers,
  • treat personal respiratory protective devices as covered countermeasures that are eligible for certain liability protections, and
  • temporarily increase the Medicaid federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP).

Filed Under: Uncategorized

February 12, 2020 by shatrine

No Succession Plan = Main Street in Jeopardy!

Danielle Kane | Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific

 

Main Street, America, is kept alive by Baby Boomers across the country, but those Boomers are retiring in record numbers leaving main street in peril. 

Boomers own 2.34 million small businesses in the U.S., employing 25 million families – that’s roughly 100 million citizens. These people depend on their small business employer to make the right decisions as they navigate through challenging economic times and plan for their own retirement. 

However, many Boomers are struggling to decide whether they should sell their business or pass it along to a successor. So, what are they doing to make that hard decision? Unfortunately, just biding their time. 

A staggering 58% of small business owners have failed to complete a succession plan; many have not even contemplated a transition plan at any time in their decades of owning the business, according to a survey by Wilmington Trust. 

Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific believes this is extremely problematic. For one, it’s a problem for the boomers who have done little to no homework on what they will need to retire or what steps to take to get there, meaning they could be well underfunded when retirement comes. The marketplace implications, however, are much larger. Those 25 million families employed by small business owners will be directly impacted, but the indirect impact will ripple to the tens of million of vendors, partners, independent contractors and other workers that rely on these Boomer-owned small businesses. 

In short, the consequences of failed succession planning loom large. 

But, while Boomers need to stop kicking the can down the road, the demise of Main Street is not entirely their fault. Millennials and other younger generations are not interested in running the family business. They are not willing to bear the burden they’ve watched their parents endure to run a small business well into their 70s. 

So, while succession planning must be done, the question becomes, who will take over the business? 

Experts pose two options. The first, and somewhat easier option, is to narrow it down to a couple of employees you, as the business owner, can trust to carry on your legacy. Once the person is picked, it’s time to groom them to take over and make your exit. 

The second is, of course, to sell, likely to a private equity buyer. This takes significant preparation, including bringing on an advisory team to help navigate the deal from preparation, through execution to closing. This team helps to appraise the value of your business assets, protect your interests and mitigate your potential liabilities. 

If an outsider buyout is not an option, consider Plan B: selling the business to a select number of current employees (known as a managerial buyout) or even all of the employees (known as an employee share ownership plan). 

No matter the road Boomers choose, it can no longer be put off. 

Experts agree small business owners tend to get stuck in the decision making for many different reasons. Some financial – Boomers are fearful that a sale will not make enough proceeds for their retirement plan and/or they don’t have enough saved for retirement to step away. For others, it’s simply emotional – Boomers’ sense of self-worth is tied to the operations of the business they built. 

While there are many uncertainties, BBB NW+P agrees that one thing is certain: Main Street, America, will suffer the most as more Boomers retire with no succession plan in place. The lively, familiar streets we can all picture in our heads as we reflect on our hometowns will look vastly different in the future if action is not taken now.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

January 3, 2020 by shatrine

New Year, New Connections!

The West Linn Chamber is looking forward to a year filled with growth, potential and success for all our Members! We want to let our community know how amazing your company is. Simply send us an email with your event details to staff@westlinnchamber.com  and we will share it in our Newsletter and online. Happy New Year and cheers to connecting more in 2020!

Filed Under: Chamber Members, Uncategorized

September 7, 2018 by shatrine

Welcome Noelle Brooks President, West Linn Chamber of Commerce

I am honored to join the West Linn Chamber Board of Directors as the President. Many of you haven’t formally met me, but I am certain you know me through my works.

I came to West Linn a few years ago, when the Historic District of Willamette was in need of a project manager. In that time, I helped execute, create, promote, and fund their events, web presence, grow their audience and manage special projects. I’ve enjoyed the planning for the West Linn Old Time Fair, co-chaired the West Linn Parade the last two years, worked hand-in-hand with City employees in matters of zoning, transportation, community outreach, and grant writing efforts. Hosting neighborhood meet-and greets, speaking engagements focused on business growth and tourism opportunities and addressing issues such as business retention and commercial vacancies are just a few of the focuses I have had in our immediate community these last years. The relationships and mentors I have gained along the way have been the true reward.

Previously, I had come from Portland having renovating an old home for twenty years. I relocated to a small historic town, and after having helped numerous start-ups, tourism groups, opened my own retail store specializing in antiques and fine art. I am “that” self-starter. The many hats a sole proprietor wears navigating both the needs of a brick and mortar all while learning the ropes of an online presence is certainly a lesson in working smarter, not harder. Luckily, I had the support and wisdom of fellow businesses and mentors. Since then, I hired an employee, studied nights, received my real estate license, and work as the head of marketing and social media in construction, which I love. Events and referrals were and still are the cornerstone of my business. Sharing opportunities, resources, connecting people, and watching those efforts truly pay off in their success, is where I thrive.

That is my focus as I look forward to meeting you all in person. As a board member, my goal is helping your business grow. How can we, as a Chamber, help you with where you are at in your business? As part of our community, is there an opportunity, or resource you would like to share that has helped you?

I am excited for this year’s events and networking opportunities. Each month we hold either a morning or after hours networking event hosted by a chamber member and throughout the year we hold special events. Interested in hosting an event? It’s a great opportunity to introduce the community to your business.

Email the chamber to learn more!

Noelle Brooks

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 30
  • Next Page »

Not yet a member?

Join Today

  • Chamber Information
    • Board of Directors
  • Calendar/Upcoming
  • Member Directory
    • Current Members login
  • Membership Benefits
    • Member Application
  • Get Involved
  • COVID-19
  • Contact

Business and Community Guide

2020 Business Community & Visitor Guide

Visit Us

EMAIL US

staff@westlinnchamber.com

Mailing Address

Please note this is a PO Box and there is not a chamber office at this location!

West Linn Chamber of Commerce

1980 Willamette Falls Drive, Suite 120
PMB# 173
West Linn, OR  97068

Contact:

phone:  503-655-6744

       

  • About
  • COVID-19
  • Events
  • Business Directory
  • Membership
  • Visitor Info
  • Contact
Copyright © 2023 · West Linn Chamber of Commerce
 

Loading Comments...