Jim Smiley, co-owner of Santiam Brewing, flips through upcoming delivery orders on Friday, April 10. The brewery currently has two vans delivering food and drink orders directly to customers homes. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
There’s a lot going on business. To help keep you up to speed, the Salem Reporter is launching a semi-regular roundup of business-related items including new business openings, locations, grant opportunities and others.
To suggest an item, reach out to reporter Jake Thomas at [email protected]
PUB AND ECONOMY TALK. The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network is hosting its last in-person Pub Talk of the year where up-and-coming entrepreneurs as well as established business types can network. The outdoor, socially distanced happy hour event will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Brew Coffee and Tap House in West Salem, located at 1320 Edgewater St. N.W. Future events will be virtual. For more information, contact [email protected].
Although Oregon’s unemployment rate dipped this week to 7.7%, lower than the national rate, the state still faces uncertainty. To offer a bit more certainty, Salem’s Strategic Economic Development Corporation will be holding a web forum featuring economists Tim Duy, of the University of Oregon, and Mark McMullen, of the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. The two will delve into whether the worst is over and other questions. The talk will be held on Sept. 16, at noon. To register, visit SEDCOR’s Zoom page.
EXTRA $300. The Oregon Employment Department has been approved for a new federal program intended to put extra cash into the pockets of people who’ve lost their jobs because of the Covid pandemic. The Lost Wages Assistance program gives an additional $300 weekly payment to people receiving unemployment benefits because of Covid. To expedite the payments, the department is encouraging people to use its online claims system to self-certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed because of the pandemic. Doing so, will ensure people receive benefits and will help them avoid long hold times.
CURBSIDE POT AND BEER. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission approved permanent rules on Sept. 11 that allow recreational cannabis retailers to continue making curbside transactions. After the Covid pandemic hit Oregon, the commission approved temporary rules to accommodate social distancing while allowing cannabis sales.
At the same meeting, the commission also made similar rules permanent for breweries and wineries, allowing them to more easily deliver their products or make curbside transactions.
FORKS DOWN. The Portland Press, a Salem maker of waffle sandwiches, announced on Facebook that it will be holding its last day of business Sunday, Sept. 27.
“From pandemics to riots to wildfires, saying 2020 has been an unpredictable year is putting it lightly,” reads a Sept. 15 post to its Facebook page announcing its closure.
The Portland Press opened earlier this year at the food hall at 440 State St. The post said that it may sell out of items before closing.
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Contact reporter Jake Thomas at 503-575-1251 or [email protected] or @jakethomas2009.
