If you know of a business that is struggling, please refer them to your local Rapid Response Coordinator for assistance:

Dana Dunlap – 541-388-6075, ddunlap@coic.org (Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes Counties

As the economic impacts continue to affect businesses in our area, EC Works is providing $90,000 in Layoff Aversion Funds to support business who are participating in Rapid Response activities. These funds can be quickly deployed by our Rapid Response Coordinators to meet employers unprecedented and evolving needs related to COVID-19.

Requests of up to $2,500 will be accepted. Given the limited number of resources, EC Works will only be able to fund one request per employer.

Some examples of layoff aversion projects that use creative strategies to address COVID-19-related effects on businesses and workers include, but are not limited to:

• A call center environment needs to have their employees work from home/remotely to support social distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19. Layoff aversion funding could be used to purchase remote access equipment that the employee would need to use from home to support their work.
• A business whose employees use specific software or computer applications asks their employees work from home/remotely to support social distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19. Layoff aversion funding could be used to purchase the software/programs that the employee would need to use from home to support their work.
• Due to decline in business/revenue, a company is reducing the hours of three or more employees, and the employer is eligible for Oregon’s “work share” Unemployment Insurance assistance program. Between the employee’s pay and UI benefits, the employee is still collecting less income than usual, and is having difficulty paying bills, mortgages, etc. Layoff aversion funding could be used to supplement the employee’s income and benefits.
• To support social distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19, a company that usually runs two shifts of workers adds a third shift, so that fewer employees are on onsite at any given time. Layoff aversion funding could be used to offset related costs to the employer or workers.
• A small business needs their employees to be at work, on site, but cannot afford frequent deep cleaning to help prevent potential exposure to COVID-19. Layoff aversion funds could be used to pay for a cleaning/sanitization service.