OREGON OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE SEES SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN SUPPORT CASES AMIDST UNPRECEDENTED 2020

​SALEM, Ore. – Oregon’s Office of Small Business Assistance released its 2020 Annual Report today. During an unprecedented year, the advocates in the office logged 3,060 cases, helping small business owners across Oregon connect with resources and understand regulations that frequently changed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“2020 was a staggering year for small businesses,” said Trevor Leahy, the Small Business Ombudsman. “I hope small business owners see this report and know that the advocacy team is standing by to answer questions and connect businesses to resources.”

Nearly half of all the work the office completed in 2020 happened in March and April due to pandemic closures and new operating regulations. The majority of small businesses contacting the team were seeking financial aid and clarity in operating guidelines.

“Oregon’s small businesses faced unprecedented challenges in 2020, including a worldwide pandemic, catastrophic wildfires, and a global recession. Many small businesses have been stressed to the breaking point,” said Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “The Office of Small Business Assistance has gone above and beyond to help small business owners from all across Oregon and I want to thank them for their hard work during these exceptional times. I also want to give special thanks to Ruth Miles, who recently departed the Secretary of State’s office, for her work to build and grow the Office of Small Business Assistance. This report and the work of this team is a testament to her service to Oregon.”    

Digital copies of the 2020 Annual Report are available at https://www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness/Documents/2020-small-business-annual-report.pdf. The full report is available in a self-guided digital format at https://prezi.com/view/IDFKPNM91620kpJyvn9l/.

The Office of Small Business Assistance Advocacy Team serves as a confidential and free resource for small businesses with questions, concerns, or complaints about state and local government agencies. Learn more and seek assistance by visiting, https://www.oregon.gov/smallbusiness, emailing Business.SOS@oregon.gov, or calling toll-free 1-844-469-5512.
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Created in 2013 and expanded in 2016, the Office of Small Business Assistance within the office of Oregon’s Secretary of State, serves as an independent voice for small business within government. Since its creation, the office has helped provide support to 7,429 business.