Supporting Small Businesses in Jackson County Impacted by the 2020 Labor Day Fires
The Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program is a federally funded disaster recovery initiative supporting Oregon communities affected by the 2020 Labor Day Fires. IVCanDO is proud to partner with Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to distribute PIER funds to eligible businesses in Jackson County, Oregon.
IVCanDO is managing two programs under the PIER award:
- Jackson County PIER Small Business Revolving Loan Fund — $500,000
- Microenterprise Grant Program — $450,000 over two funding rounds (Round Two coming in 2026)
About IVCanDO’s PIER Revolving Loan Fund
What is PIER?
The Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) Program is administered by OHCS with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It supports Oregon’s long-term wildfire recovery through infrastructure investments and economic revitalization in the eight counties most affected by the 2020 Labor Day fires.
IVCanDO’s Revolving Loan Fund program was selected by a regional committee to support recovery in Jackson County, specifically for small businesses impacted by the Almeda and South Obenchain Fires. This initiative emphasizes access, equity, and long-term resilience.
Although IVCanDO is based in Josephine County, we are honored to support recovery efforts throughout Southern Oregon.
How It Works
IVCanDO has been awarded funding through the ReOregon PIER program to support small business recovery after the 2020 fires. The Revolving Loan Fund offers:
- Loan Amounts: Up to $50,000
- Interest Rate: Fixed at 5% — significantly below typical bank rates (prime + several points ~ 7.5%)
- Credit Building: On-time repayment builds your business credit
- Flexibility: No early repayment penalties
- Funding: Funds are recycled, supporting more local businesses over time
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if your business:
- Has 100 or fewer employees
- Is located in Jackson County
- Was directly or indirectly impacted by the 2020 Labor Day Fires
- Has unmet recovery needs
- Is owned by or serves low- to moderate-income individuals
- Is responding to community needs created by the fires
Why Choose a PIER Loan
- Lower Rate: 5% fixed — banks are offering prime + several points (~7.5%+), meaning more affordable payments
- Build Credit: On-time payments improve your business’s financial standing
- Revolving Fund: As loans are repaid, funds return to the fund — supporting other businesses
- Responsive Support: Same technical assistance, language access, and no-cost one-on-one support as the PIER Revolving Loan program
Timeline:
Loan Program Launch: September 4, 2025
Application Deadline: No deadline
How to Apply
Prepare First:
- ✅ Preview the Application (Download in Word or PDF) and Eligibility Documents
- ✅ Connect with an SBDC Business Advisor
- Contact Ruthie Painter at the Southern Oregon University SBDC:
📧 painterr@sou.edu | ☎️ (541) 840-4201
- Contact Ruthie Painter at the Southern Oregon University SBDC:
- ✅ Gather Required Documents
Documents & Downloads
– PIER Loan Fund Application (online)
– Download Loan Application (Fillable Word doc)
– Download Loan Application (PDF)
– 12-month Cash Flow Projections (Fillable Word doc)
– Cost-of-living Budget (Fillable Word doc)
– Cost-of-living Budget (PDF)
– Solicitud de préstamo para pequeñas empresas PIER (online)
– Solicitud de préstamo para pequeñas empresas PIER (Word doc)
– Solicitud de préstamo para pequeñas empresas PIER (PDF)
– Proyecciones de flujo de caja a 2 años (Fillable Excel)
– Presupuesto del costo de vida (Fillable Word doc)
– Presupuesto del costo de vida (PDF)
– Formulario de certificación de hogar con ingresos bajos a moderados (Excel)
– Formulario de empleos de ingresos bajos a moderados (Excel)
– Standard Operating Procedures for the PIER Loan Fund and Grant Programs (PDF)
– Estándar del programa PIER (PDF)
Need Help? Technical Assistance is Available
Language Services:
Email us at pier@ivcdo.org in your preferred language. We’ll schedule a meeting with an interpreter at no cost to you.
Nuestros socios del Centro de Desarrollo de Pequeñas Empresas de RCC cuentan con asesores que le ayudarán a crear un plan de negocios y le asistirán con los requisitos de la solicitud sin costo alguno. Comuníquese con el RCC SBDC al 541-956-7494 o envíe un correo electrónico a sbdc@roguecc.edu.
Application Support:
Contact Ruthie Painter at the Southern Oregon University SBDC:
📧 painterr@sou.edu | ☎️ (541) 840-4201
Internet & Printing Access:
Visit Jackson County Library Services.
Roslyn Donald, Business Librarian, is available to assist:
📧 rdonald@jcls.org | ☎️ 541-734-3992
🌐 www.jcls.org/business
General Questions:
Contact IVCanDO at pier@ivcdo.org or call 541-592-4440
Help Spread the Word!
Use our PARTNER TOOLKIT to share this opportunity with businesses that may qualify.
Together, we can ensure every eligible business has a chance to apply.
PIER – Loans
Yes! As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, businesses that have received a grant may also apply for a loan to support growth or continued recovery.
No, absolutely not. Reporting to ICE is against Oregon law.
Loan amounts will vary based on business size, financial need, and loan readiness — but typical loans will range from $10,000 to $50,000.
Yes, loans must be fully collateralized. Typically, we accept vehicles, trailers, and equipment with serial numbers. You may also add a co-signer to your loan.
Eligible Use of PIER Small Business Loan Funds
PIER funds must be used for economic revitalization in support of recovery and rebuilding after the 2020 Labor Day fires. Examples of eligible economic revitalization and recovery/rebuilding activities include but are not limited to:
- Working Capital for:
- Inventory
- Operating Costs, Utility bills, Insurance, Licenses and Permits
- Staffing/Salaries/Benefits
- Moveable Equipment
- Mortgage/rent payments
- General business supplies
- Expansion of services
- Marketing Costs
- Business related travel/transportation
- Construction projects on buildings essential to business operations on either private/residential property. These projects will require a more in depth environmental assessment which could delay funds.
- Job creation/retention
- Address unmet economic recovery needs from the 2020 Labor Day Disasters
- Demonstrate clear benefits to the fire-affected community or vulnerable populations
Yes. IVCanDO and its partners may be able to connect you with other small business programs, including technical assistance, financial coaching, or regional lending partners.
The PIER Revolving Loan Fund (PIER_RLF) is part of the PIER economic recovery initiative that offers low-interest loans to small businesses in Jackson County affected by the 2020 Almeda and South Obenchain fires. Unlike grants, these funds must be repaid — but they come with flexible terms and community-centered support.
The PIER RLF is designed with recovery and resilience in mind. It offers:
- Low interest rates
- Flexible repayment terms
- Application support
- Community accountability (not credit scores alone)
To qualify, businesses must:
- Be based in Jackson County
- Have been impacted (directly or indirectly) by the 2020 Labor Day fires
- Have 100 employees or less
Yes. Be prepared to submit:
- Recent tax returns
- Profit & loss statements
- Basic cash flow projections
- Documentation of fire impact (if not already on file)
PIER FAQs
No, absolutely not. Reporting to ICE is against Oregon law.
Receive Updates!
Fill out this form to receive updates about PIER grant and loan opportunities in Jackson County, Oregon.