Loan officers at Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments want troubled small businesses to call for help before defaulting on loan payments.

That was the message of a presentation given by COG loan program manager Diane Searle to the Linn County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Don't wait until you've missed payments and don't use a credit card you can't pay off to keep your loan current, Searle said.

"It makes it real hard to work with the lenders," she said.

It is nearly impossible to help someone 90 days behind, she said.

The financial services arm of COG connects businesses to federal, state and local government business loan programs as well as commercial loans. It also offers financial counseling and other programs.

Searle said her group has been proactively calling businesses during the past six months after noting sinking sales trends.

The manager said she is very concerned about the Christmas holiday sales season.

"It isn't going to be 'buy, buy, buy' like it was last year," she said. "People aren't going out and buying the big screen TVs as a Christmas present.

"We've got a big uphill battle," Searle said. "But we've done it before. I was in banking in the '80s."

Chairman Roger Nyquist asked her if the current economic situation is worse than it was 20 years ago. She answered that it is.

Searle added COG isn't just for those in dire straits.

Anyone looking for tips on what to do and what not to do with a loan is also invited to call COG.

"I have three loan officers who aren't doing a lot of new loans," Searle said. "Our main objective is to keep people in business."

Those wishing to contact the loan experts at COG may do so by calling (541) 924-4538.