Business Oregon on Wednesday will open the final portion of a program to provide grants for small businesses to help with commercial rent and operational costs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Oregon Legislative Emergency Board allocated approximately $100 million for the program to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic and the restrictions it necessitated.  Following two rounds of distribution of Commercial Rent Relief assistance grants, approximately $28 million remains to be distributed in this final round through the Operational Cost Assistance Grant.  The Operational Cost Assistance Grant is designed for businesses with 100 or fewer employees in industries that were particularly affected by the pandemic, including those that offer the consumption of food and or drink on premise, provide specified indoor physical exercise, recreational or family entertainment, or provide specified personal services.  Full details of the program, including eligible industries, is available on Business Oregon’s website and in application materials.  Applicants must have faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon.  Applications for the Operational Cost Assistance Grant will be accepted beginning May 26, and continue through June 6.