July 20, 2022
Page 7
Small Business
Hub Launched
Kimberly Branam
Prosper Portland has launched
a new program to serve local
small business owners, the Port-
land Small Business Hub, funded
by the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Portland Small Business
Hub is a free resource for local
small business owners, support-
ed by federal American Rescue
Plan funds allocated by Portland
City Council to help businesses
and communities recover from
the COVID-19 pandemic and
resulting economic recession,
officials of the economic devel-
opment agency said.
The Hub is a collaboration be-
tween Prosper Portland and lo-
Library to Close for Renovations
cal service providers and offers
culturally specific small business
technical assistance and resource
navigation. The Hub connects
business owners to financial relief
programs by facilitating referrals
to one-on-one assistance in ap-
plying for loans, grants, and other
funding opportunities.
This program is intended to
serve business owners who are
residents of the city of Portland
or whose businesses are in the
city of Portland. Priority busi-
nesses include those owned by
people of color, women, and
non-English/limited
English
speakers or in industries impact-
ed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosper Portland Executive
Director Kimberly Branam
said, “We have listened to our
small businesses and communi-
ty partners, who have expressed
a huge need for centralized in-
formation and navigation to ac-
cess relief resources in a time-
ly manner. The Portland Small
Business Hub is built to address
that need.”
Photo by Padraic Ryan/Wikipedia Commons
The downtown Central Library will close Aug. 1 through Nov. 1 for construction.
The downtown Central Li-
brary will close to the public
next month to undergo major
renovations beginning Aug. 1
and lasting through Nov.1.
During that time, crews will
undertake a series of projects
that will create new outdoor
public spaces, enhance access
to the building and refresh and
expand restroom amenities.
As part of a voter-approved
2020 Library building bond,
Central Library and other
Overcoming
Oregon Summers
Problem Gambling
Fairs and festivals. Barbeques and beaches. Summertime in Oregon has so
much to offer — so many distractions from life’s daily challenges. For some
of us, it’s easy to throw ourselves into a flurry of summer fun instead
of doing the important work of overcoming issues that might be
negatively affecting us. Issues like out-of-control gambling.
Free Help is Available
If you have a gambling habit that has grown beyond
your control, help is available. Through the Oregon
Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR), gamblers and
those who love them can get support from trained
addiction counselors, often right from home.
Treatment is effective. People are ready and
waiting to provide better mechanisms to cope
and to heal. And, best of all, it’s free.
All it takes is a phone call, a text, or an
online chat to get started. Reach out.
Let this summer be your season for change.
For more information, visit
. ORG
OREGON PROBLEM GAMBLING RESOURCE
branches are scheduled to re-
ceive a number of updates and
improvements over the next
few years that will make the
Multnomah County library
system more accessible to all
library patrons.