Oregon Public Broadcasting

Some businesses and non-profits that hold policies with SAIF Corporation will be getting dividend checks next month.

The public corporation announced Wednesday it will pay out $100 million to customers, including the state of Oregon, who held policies in 2008.  KLCC's Rachael McDonald reports.

SAIF provides workers compensation insurance to more than 600,000 workers in Oregon.

Its customers include non-profits, small businesses and governments, including the state of Oregon.

SAIF's Board of Directors found its investments, combined with improvements in workplace safety, put it in a position to pay a dividend this year.

Vice President Chris Davie says the amount is being divided among 44,000 policy holders in the state.

Chris Davie: "There's no strings attached to that money. They're able to use it for whatever purpose they choose to. I'm sure some of them will want to expand their business. Maybe it will prevent some troubled companies from going under. They could pay off some debt and they may create some new jobs so it's a good thing for Oregon because it's an extra hundred million dollars that's going back into the economy."

Checks will be mailed out to eligible policy holders in April.