Benton County approved to move to lower risk
May 18, 2021
Benton County received approval from Oregon Health Authority to move into the Lower Risk category under the Risk and Protection Framework, beginning Friday May 21. Eligibility to move to the lower risk level requires over 65% of residents 16 and older to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week Benton County Health Department submitted an equity plan and attestation to Oregon Health Authority for its efforts to continue to reduce equity gaps in vaccinations. County eligibility for Lower Risk based on vaccination rates will be assessed weekly.
“We are so grateful to those people in Benton County who have been vaccinated and helped us move towards reducing our risk level,” said Kate Porsche, economic development manager for Benton County and the City of Corvallis. “It is helping local businesses reopen sooner and for the City of Corvallis and Benton County to actively focus on reopening and a
Benton County Restaurants Prepare For Indoor Dining klcc.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from klcc.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Benton County officials are asking the state to re-consider the way it determines county risk levels for the coronavirus.
Credit Chris Lehman / KLCC
Just five Oregon counties are still considered “extreme risk.” The designation comes with strict capacity limits on some types of businesses and bans indoor dining at restaurants.
Kate Porsche of the Corvallis/Benton County Economic Development Office told a Tuesday meeting of the county s Board of Commissioners that she’s hearing from upset business owners.
“A lot of worry, a lot of angst. Some anger and frustration about Benton County’s status,” she said. The county is kind of a donut hole, she added.
Benton County businesses affected by the coronavirus are eligible for four new federal programs.
But time is tight and firms need to act quickly because the federal funds cannot be rolled over into 2021.
âWeâre working quickly and trying to be creative here,â said Kate Porsche, the economic development manager for Corvallis and Benton County.
Here is what the Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office has available. And please note that businesses in North Albany are eligible.
Outdoor business grants
A total of $39,000 is available to reimburse companies for tents, heaters and other items that helped the companies serve customers outdoors. The expenses must have been incurred in November and December. Interested parties should call Special Occasions at 541-752-7255. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program expires Dec. 30.