Dear John,

          Our communities are hurting right now -- from the health care professionals working on the front lines of this crisis to the local small businesses fighting to stay afloat and keep their employees on the payroll. There’s no way around it: this is an unprecedented challenge that is affecting each of us in ways big and small. But we’re in this fight together, and we’ll make it to the other side together, too.

          Through my work in the Senate, I’m trying to do everything I can to get us to that other side as quickly as possible. Last week, I sent you a few messages with information about the relief packages that Congress passed and what that means for you, from relief from student loan payments to resources for our businesses and employees.

          Today, I wanted to send you an important update about a program that is available beginning this morning.

          One of the key resources in this recently-passed legislation is the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. As of today, this program is officially live and accepting applications. The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to help small businesses, nonprofits, veterans’ organizations, and tribal businesses with fewer than 500 employees -- as well as sole proprietors, self-employed Oregonians, and independent contractors -- cover payroll and operational costs by awarding them with fully forgivable loans.

          The Treasury Department has announced that the loans, which are guaranteed by the federal government and do not require a personal guarantee or collateral, will be approved as quickly as today. You can apply for these loans through your bank or here. For more information about the program, check out my team’s Frequently Asked Questions document here.

          I also want to follow up on a note I sent you last week previewing the launch of my second coronavirus resource webpage -- an online economic recovery hub for Oregon businesses and 503(c)(3) nonprofits -- to let you know that this page is now online and fully operational. This page is full of information about the Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, the Small Business Debt Relief Program, the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and reimbursement for paid sick leave and child caregiving leave, among other programs and provisions to help our businesses weather this storm. I’m going to keep updating this page with applications and information as they become available, so make sure to bookmark it and check back for additional details.

          In addition, I have also updated my original coronavirus resource webpage to include 15 FAQ documents and fact sheets on the latest available resources related to broadband access, businesses, childcare, direct payments, higher education, health systems, housing, K-12 education, Medicare, nutrition, rural development and production, assistance for Oregonians stranded abroad, supporting tribes and veterans, and unemployment benefits. These documents include answers to many of the questions you and your neighbors have reached out to my office about, and I hope they will be valuable to you as you navigate the uncertainties of this crisis. These resources will continue to be updated as we learn more from the administration about the implementation of these new programs.

          This is a challenging moment for our communities in so many ways. I will continue to fight for the resources our communities deserve, and to do everything I can to make sure you have the information you need to access them.

All my best,
Jeff