OAR 123-024-0046: Temporary Methodology for Determining Distressed Areas

The following methodology will be used to determine temporarily distressed areas when economic distress is abundant throughout the state of Oregon. (1) State Temporary Distressed Test: In a given month, if Oregon’s unemployment rate exceeds 8.0%, the County Temporary Distressed Methodology will be used. (2) County Temporary Distressed Test: In a given month, if Oregon’s unemployment rate exceeds 8.0% and if the county’s unemployment rate exceeds 8.0%, the county is considered temporarily distressed. (a) When a temporarily distressed county’s unemployment falls below 8.0%, it will remain distressed for 180 days or until the regular distressed communities list is published, whichever is less. (b) All places and cities within a temporarily distressed county are considered distressed. (3) Any county that is unable to pass the County Temporary Distressed Test is not considered to be temporarily distressed. All cities or places within a county that is unable to pass the County Temporary Distressed Test may seek temporary distressed status by filing a temporary distressed petition defined in OAR 123-024-0031(3). (4) Temporary Distressed Petition: Any city or place not considered distressed may submit a formal petition asking for temporary distressed status in accordance with OAR 123-500-0031(3) (a) Temporary distressed petitions will describe in narrative form local conditions that warrant temporary distressed status. (b) Local conditions may include, but are not limited to, first-source anecdotal discussions of changes in employment, temporary lay-offs, furloughs, firm closures, firm idlings, reduced sales revenue, home foreclosure rates, welfare assistance, and unemployment assistance. (c) The temporary distressed status granted under the petitions will last no longer than 180 days or until the normal distressed communities list is published. (5) If Oregon fails to pass the State Temporary Distressed Test, the regular distressed communities’ methodology will be used in December of the same year. The distressed communities list will be published at this time. All counties, cities, and places will maintain their temporary distressed status until the distressed communities list is published.