July 23, 2020 10:20 a.m. 

Congressman Peter DeFazio has announced that he has secured nearly $3.5 million in coronavirus recovery funding for small businesses across southwest Oregon.

DeFazio said “The unparalleled economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted small businesses across Oregon”. He said the funds will help them keep their doors open while they recover from “…this unprecedented crisis”.

DeFazio’s release said the money was awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as CARES, to three Economic Districts in southwest Oregon to support small business growth and recovery. The awards include:

*$1.5 million for the CCD Business Development Corporation in Roseburg

*$1.1 million for the Lane Council of Governments in Eugene

*$825,000 for the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments in Albany

The release said the funds will be used to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund that will provide gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.