The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

Catalyst Trade believes that "coffee is a sacrament" inviting us to grab a cup and join them as they revolutionize the way coffee is traded. Co-owner Emily McIntyre was looking for help growing her international business when she found the Oregon SBDC Network Global Trade Center and participated in the Global Trade Management program in the spring of 2020. Faced with the challenges of building a business across multiple continents and cultures, and compounded by a global pandemic, Emily was inspired by the class sessions on cultural competency taught by David Kohl. This is her story.

With Portland Public Schools continuing online-only classes in the surge of COVID-19, virtually all public school teachers in Portland, Oregon, have had to learn how to navigate teaching online. The tools have become more streamlined since the sudden shutdowns and distance learning of early 2020. However, the strategies and systems still hit snags often, and teachers are understandably worried about keeping up with their standard curriculum.