NEWS BRIEFS Happenings From Around the Industry
Business Food Scraps Policy In Play
Implementation of a regional food scraps separation requirement went into effect March of this year and many businesses within the Portland Metro boundary will need to comply by 2023. Originally scheduled to begin in March 2020, the requirement was delayed by two years due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the region’s residents and businesses. The earliest any business must be in compliance is March 2023 and all businesses generating more than one 60-gallon roll cart of food scraps a week must be in compliance by September 30, 2024. View more information about the requirement and how to access resources for implementation on Metro’s website at Oregonmetro.gov/foodscraps
Maximize Your Google Business Profile
New ORLA Website and Member Portal
Earlier this year, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association launched a fresh, new website with comprehensive content and upgraded member portal components. The new site provides for a more user-friendly experience, improved SEO and site performance, and incorporated mobile-responsive design. Members who log in to the Member Portal will experience a new look as well as streamlined functionality to update your profile and related profiles, pay invoices, and access the Resource Library. Visit OregonRLA.org for the latest industry information, resources and training.
With over 90 percent of internet searches happening using Google, it’s imperative that your business stands out. Unfortunately, many tourismrelated businesses in Oregon have not yet claimed their business profile, and many more Oregon businesses still need to update their profile as they are missing key information (e.g., hours of operation, descriptions, temporary closures, etc.). To help Oregon tourism and hospitality businesses optimize their Google My Business (GMB) profiles, Travel Oregon has partnered with Locl. Through this innovative partnership, you get access to Locl and their suite of GMB optimization tools – for free. Learn more at Industry.TravelOregon.com.
Oregon Restaurateurs Featured in National Initiative
The National Restaurant Association earlier this year launched “People Behind the Plate,” an initiative that highlights the stories of people who have chosen to make a difference in the world by being a part of the restaurant industry. Two Oregon restaurants were highlighted: Katherine Lam and Daniel Nguyen, owners of Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen in Portland, and Kelsey Yoho, co-owner of Weekend Beer Company in Grants Pass. Hear first-hand how these restaurants have addressed challenges and continue to make a difference in their communities at Restaurant.org/about-us/people-behind-the-plate.
New Program for ORLA Members: COVID Cash Lifeline™
The COVID pandemic has impacted virtually every business sector, but none so much as the hospitality industry. In an effort to help operators with cash flow, ORLA in partnership with Adesso Capital launched a new program, COVID Cash Lifeline™, designed to deliver exactly what our state’s restaurants and lodging establishments need to recover and return to business as usual. Fewer than 25 percent of eligible businesses have filed for the potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID relief for which they qualify. Adesso’s team of tax experts can estimate how much ERC money a business qualifies for with a ten-minute phone call to our COVID Cash Lifeline™ ERC Support Center at 888.856.0630. Visit AdessoCapital.com/ORLA for more information. OregonRLA.org 45
