Federal pandemic relief a lifeline for small businesses, Hillsboro owner says

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The economy is at least partially open all across Oregon and Washington, but a lot of small businesses are still struggling to stay afloat.

That’s despite cash injections at the federal and local levels.

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat who represents Washington County, met with small business owners in downtown Hillsboro on Thursday to talk to them about funding they’ve received.

"Our small businesses are a really critical part of our economy and our community, and I want to make sure that we can help them get through these tough times and survive," Bonamici said.

Darcy DeBord owns several businesses in Hillsboro. They've gotten Paycheck Protection Program loans from the federal government and three rounds of funding from the city of Hillsboro.

DeBord said that money was make-or-break.

"We had just come off of our largest quarter, Christmas, so we had a little bit of reserves, but we thought we'd be done by June or July, so that funding has definitely kept us alive for now," she said.

She said the money has been a lifeline for many small businesses.

"We did lose a few businesses down here, but we have plenty of good success stories of that grant money came at the right time for sure," DeBord said.

Also Thursday, Bonamici announced she's co-sponsoring a bill that would give free meals to all students for the upcoming school year.