Serving more than half a million small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in Fiscal Year 2020, America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) rose to the occasion during a time of unprecedented challenges. From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, America’s SBDCs were on the job. Providing free, one-to-one business consulting and free or at-cost business training, SBDC consultants, trainers and staff helped America’s small businesses (and the communities they serve) adapt and survive.

By Noah Brockman - Capital Access Team Lead, Oregon SBDC Network 

On January 29th 2021, the Oregon Housing Stability Council (OHSC) hosted a Youtube informational webinar to share details about the Oregon (residential) Landlord Compensation Fund. During 2020, the Oregon Legislature enacted an eviction moratorium and established the Landlord Compensation Fund (HB 4401). The Legislature allocated $200 million in rent assistance to support tenants and landlords, which includes $150 million for the residential Landlord Compensation Fund. OHCS has developed program materials and is preparing to launch the Fund in the coming days.

Lisa Tran and her family have been in the restaurant business for at least 3 generations. When she

became a mother to twins a few years ago she realized she was going to have to do things differently. That's when she found the Small Business Development Center's "Getting Your Recipe to Market" program and began bottling the family sauces. This is her story.

In the fall of 2008 McKean Banzer-Lausberg and three friends sat down for a beer together one afternoon and talked about their shared passion for craft beer, community, meaningful relationships, and their vision of the future. Out of that meeting came the idea and a plan that would change their lives forever -- Migration Brewing. This is their story.

Orientations offered by PCC’s Small Business Development Center (at no cost!) are a great way to learn about the opportunities we offer to help turn  business ideas into action. A typical orientation includes a small group of future entrepreneurs – but may also include sole-proprietors and small business owners seeking to find efficient, practical and effective solutions to common business-related challenges. You’ll leave our 2-hour orientation having identified new resources, and with an action plan to guide your next steps.

Inspired by her grandmother Dorothy, Robyn Galbos believes that food has role as a medium beyond basic nourishment. Food can tell a story of a culture, a time, a place, an experience, and even an ethos. While starting Robyn's Craft Bakehouse, making and selling whole grain crackers and crisps, Robyn attended the Getting Your Recipe to Market program at the PCC Small Business Development Center. This is her story.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

Eric Pfau came to the PCC Small Business Development Center to learn how the business might improve based upon best practices of other businesses of similar size and experience. Then COVID-19 pandemic hit and Grummel Engineering, like so many other small businesses, had to change the way they worked with clients and with each other. Eric's goal is for the business to come out of the pandemic stronger than going in. This is the story of how Eric and Grummel Engineering is adapting to their "new normal" as they prepare for long term growth.  

Heather Zeitzwolfe participated in both the SBDC Business Design Series and Small Business Builders programs while starting her accounting business. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing her to rethink her business model. Thanks to the assistance she got from these programs and the Advisers at the PCC SBDC, Heather has been able to continue moving towards her dream of being an entrepreneur. This is her story. 

Jaime Johnston has found herself in a challenging situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was just getting ready to start her GDM Co. beard oil business when things began to shut down. Her start up marketing plan was supposed to have her travel around the state to small retailers, but the Governor's "stay at home" orders made that plan impossible. With the help of the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center she was able to adjust her plans and start her business on a solid foundation. GDM officially launched sales in the middle of August 2020. This is their story.