Women entrepreneurs
of southern oregon

2021 WLC Conference Theme: Embracing Change

On May 7th, join (virtually) with other women for a dynamic day of learning how to embrace inevitable change and positively manage these changes in our lives, organizations, communities, and society.

The Mission of the annual Women's Leadership Conference (WLC) is to foster leadership in business, government and nonprofit organizations that more fully reflects our community.

An impressive roster of speakers and leaders of breakout sessions head up the conference. Diahana Barnes, WESO member, is one of the speakers!

Registration includes access to recorded sessions afterwards.

Find out more and register at:

https://www.womensleadershipconference.net/conference/

March is Women's History Month so learn more about the courage, strength and resilience of these Oregon women.

Find out about Oregon women achievers in athletics: Oregon Female Athletes

Check out Stories of Southern Oregon Women Making History (JPR Jefferson Exchange radio program - March 2021)

Read selections from the Southern Oregon Historical Society's "As It Was" Series (2 min. reads):

"Woman Becomes Fire Chief in Butte Falls, Oregon"

"Ranch Women Survive in Difficult Circumstances"

"Kathryn Clarke Becomes Oregon's First Female State Senator"

"Meet Mary Adams Peacock: Dressmaker, Muleskinner and Hotelier"

"Oregon Widow Claims Her Share of Husband's Saloon"

"Anna and Ida Hargrove Record Ashland, Ore., in Pictures"

"Effie Birdseye Retains 'Unconquered American Spirit'"

New snap together brochure holders.

Text 541.890.4043 for address to pick up.

Cleaning out office 28  free purple twin pocket, 3 hole fastener, business card holder. 

541.890.4043 text for address to pick up.

Jackson County has $250,000 in NEW grant funds available to assist small businesses (less than 25 employees) negatively impacted by COVID-19. 

 Jackson County, with grant management support from SOREDI, created the Jackson County Emergency Small Business Grant Program to provide one-time financial assistance for small businesses who have been adversely affected by the economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 What’s different?

Businesses who have received PPP or EIDL may apply for this round of funding. All documentation of PPP and/or EIDL activity must be attached to your grant application for consideration. Potential grant amounts will be reduced by pre-awarded CARES act amounts.

Who can apply?

Small businesses (25 and fewer employees) and sole proprietors. Businesses must be actively registered with the state of Oregon to do business in Jackson County. Businesses must demonstrate at least a 50% decline in revenues during the month of March,  April, May, June, July, or August 2020 as compared against the revenues in January or February 2020.   Businesses with cyclical or seasonal sales, may use the comparable month in 2019. (Verification and documentation will be required).

 Businesses that have previously received COVID19 matching grant funding from Jackson County or another participating jurisdiction (City of Medford, Ashland, Talent) are ineligible for this funding.

 How do I apply?

The grant application and eligibility requirements are posted on the Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) website www.soredi.org/covid/covidgrants.

Completed applications along with the required documentation can be submitted online or by email BEGINNING at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. 

Applications will be accepted until funds are depleted, at which time the web application will be disabled. Grant funding to qualified businesses will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis until the grant funds are exhausted.

 What if I have questions?

After reviewing the grant criteria, email questions to grants@soredi.org.

 Accommodations may be requested by calling 541-774-6007 or emailing grants@soredi.org.

Today Governor Brown announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective supplies. The state of Oregon is fulfilling orders at no charge until resources are depleted. “We want our businesses to be able to operate in the safest manner possible right now so that we can get out of this health crisis, and get them back to full operations,” said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. “Our small businesses are the hardest hit, so we want to help them get the tools they need at no cost to them.” Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are headquartered in Oregon with principal operations in Oregon are eligible. Business Oregon — the state’s economic development agency — and the Department of Administrative Services are collaborating to create the order and distribution process. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees will receive a box of 200 gloves and 100 masks, with larger businesses receiving up to 500 masks and 800 gloves. For now, businesses are limited to one order, with additional orders possible at a later date depending on availability In addition to the small business program, the Early Learning Division (ELD) is providing supplies such as gloves, disinfecting wipes, masks and more to child care providers around the state as part of the effort. The Governor set aside $1.3 million from the federal Governor’s Education Emergency Relief Fund to purchase supplies for this critical service. Child care providers have been operating under emergency conditions since March and are following increased safety and health guidelines. Child care providers approved by ELD to operate Emergency Child Care are eligible to order supplies and will need a license/provider number to do so. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, child care providers have been doing critical work to support families and other businesses in Oregon,” said ELD Director Miriam Calderon, “These items will help providers continue operating with a focus on safety for children, parents and their staff.”       The order form is online and is now accepting orders. Businesses and child care providers can access the form here: https://supplyconnector.org/states/oregon/free-ppe/ Media Contact: Nathan Buehler, 503-689-3559.

Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, invests in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. The agency's services span rural community development and infrastructure financing; business retention, expansion and recruitment; export promotion and international trade; investments in industry research and development and entrepreneurship; small business assistance; and support for arts and cultural organizations. Learn more at www.oregon4biz.com

Soroptomist International of North Valley - Garden Tour

The 17th annual garden tour will be held virtually through Aug. 31. See eight diverse gardens, ranging in style from local pollinator and country gardens to the formal Shakespeare Garden at Hanley Farm. A donation of $10 is recommended. Proceeds will go to support Soroptomist International of North Valley’s "Live Your Dream" Award program, which provides education grants for women. To access the tour, see https://www.soroptimistinnorthvalley.com/virtual-tour.

SOU SBDC is open to assist your business in coping with the difficult economic conditions today. They are open virtually. The office is closed to walk-in traffic due to social distancing rules in effect. The advisers are available to meet by arrangement through video conference meetings, or over the phone.

The advising program is fully funded, so the advising services remain available to you with no costs attached.

Please contact Linda to make arrangements for advising. She can be reached by mailing to: sbdc@sou.edu or calling: 541.552.8300.

Current Services Available at the SOU SBDC

Advising Services:

• Strategic planning to cope with COVID-19 impacts
• Access to capital - regular financing and Disaster Assistance
• Personnel and HR issues
• Business continuity strategies
• Marketing strategies

Regular advising appointments will remain as currently scheduled.

They're called "essential workers" but that doesn't even approach what many of our friends and neighbors (maybe you, too!) are doing when they keep working to help us get through this crisis. Whether it's health care workers, first responders, pharmacy employees, grocery store clerks, and many more, THANK YOU. We need you and appreciate you.

Check out this video that only partly expresses our gratitude for our essential heroes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r21ShIk5mo

Everyone else - wash your hands, stay home as much as you can, and save lives.

The Mar. 24 Success Circle went virtual on the Zoom platform and went very well. The participants felt a real connection through our discussion, gained some good ideas and are keeping in touch afterwards.

The next Success Circle is scheduled for May 19. Keep watching for announcements about it.