Nothing but ashes and metal is left of Bonnie Sullivan’s home on the banks of the Santiam River just east of Mill City. She escaped the wildfire by riding in an open car trunk. (Photo courtesy of Bonnie Sullivan)
There’s a lot going on business. To help keep you up to speed, the Salem Reporter has launched a semi-regular roundup of business-related items that includes new business openings, locations, grant opportunities and others.
To suggest an item, reach out to reporter Jake Thomas at [email protected]
CEO STEPS DOWN. Terry Fletchall, the longtime CEO of Santiam Hospital, is retiring. According to a press release from the hospital, located at 1401 N 10th Ave. in Stayton, Fletchall was first hired by Santiam Hospital in 1982 and was appointed CEO six years later.
He is credited with turning around the hospital that was nearing closure when he took over. According to the press release, the hospital has doubled in size twice while adding new units for surgery, intensive care and birthing. Additionally, the hospital has renovated or built clinics while investing in new technology. The hospital also remains one of three independent acute care hospitals in Oregon.
Maggie Hudson will be taking over as president and CEO of Santiam Hospital.
CASH CROPS. Oregon has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund projects that increase the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops and other specialty crops. The money will be used to fund 14 projects with grants ranging from $66,000 to nearly $180,000 that’ll be directed to businesses, nonprofits, local governments and colleges and universities.
Over the past nine years, Oregon has received close to $18 million in funding from the program that has aided nearly 200 projects. More information on the grant, including a list of past projects, can be found here.
QUARANTINE CASH. The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services still has funding available for workers who need to isolate or quarantine because of Covid exposure but don’t have access to paid sick -leave.
Those who qualify will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they need to quarantine, according to a department press release. Workers seeking benefits must meet requirements including filing a personal income tax return in Oregon, having been directed to quarantine by a local public health official or health care provider, not being able to work remotely, earn less than $60,000, are not seeking other benefits, among others.
The application form is available in English, Spanish and Russian. Those who do not have access to electronic applications can call 833-685-0850 (toll-free) or 503-947-0130. More information and the application can be found here.
REBUILDING BREAK. Umpqua Bank is offering a break on loans to homeowners affected by this year’s historic wildfires. The Roseburg-based bank is waiving the loan origination fee up to $10,000 for homeowners in communities on the West Coast that have been declared disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In a press release, the bank said it estimates that most eligible homeowners will save between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on their home’s total cost. For homeowners with loans serviced by Umpqua in designated areas, the bank will also waive any bank fees associated with purchasing another home.
More information can be found by visiting the bank’s website.
Contact reporter Jake Thomas at 503-575-1251 or [email protected] or @jakethomas2009.
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