Retailers slashing prices
Massive markdowns before the holidays are good news for procrastinators but could be a bad sign for the retail industry.
China’s economic forecast: a business perspective
Companies doing business with China, as well as companies doing business with other companies that do business in China, should understand both the upside and downside potential for that country’s economic outlook. Portland economist Bill Conerly shares his view on what he thinks corporate executives need to know about the Chinese economy.
Portland startups land investments
Two members of the Portland Incubator Experiment have landed investments—Cloudability and Athletepath.
Foreclosures drop
Statewide foreclosures dropped 32% since October.
UPS business booming for the holidays
Holiday business is booming for UPS branch owner Mark Weaver.
Oregon’s hiring freeze will have exceptions
State managers are creating an exception committee to hear appeals from Oregon agencies that need to hire despite the hiring freeze.
Bank of America to settle discrimination claims for $335M
Bank of America has agreed to pay $335 million to settle federal claims that it discriminated against minority home buyers during the housing boom.
Gresham extends small business fee waivers
The Gresham City Council extended two small business programs for a year.
New EPA rule could affect Boardman plant
A new EPA regulation could prompt Portland General Electric to close its coal-fired Boardman plant earlier than 2020.
Peer-to-peer vehicle sharing arrives
Personal carsharing is coming to Portland in February. The new service allows car owners to rent out their own cars and spotlights a new “collaborative consumption” business model. Managing Editor Linda Baker reports on Getaround.