Questions linger on pricey toxic cleanup

0911_PriceyCleanupEnvironmental officials are quick to assert that Oregon’s most expensive publicly funded cleanup is not failing from an environmental perspective. But from a real estate perspective, the $55 million cleanup of the former McCormick & Baxter creosote factory in North Portland has created complications.

The Dalles sees payoff in a decade of steady effort

0911_TheDallesAfter about a decade of slow but steady growth, The Dalles continues to pursue a balanced model of development: gentrifying the area’s downtown with wine bars, cafés and streetscape improvements while also preserving industrial land necessary to attract employment.

Oregon economic indicators as of June 2011

  All “latest” numbers are for June 2011 unless otherwise noted. Latest Month Previous Month Previous Year Annual Change EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS LISTINGS Total employment State of Oregon, thousands (July) 1,824.8 1,811.4 1,785.4 2.2% Total unemployment State of Oregon, thousands (July) 189.5 194.3 210.6 -10.0% Unemployment rate Ore. civilian labor force, seasonally adjusted (July) 9.5% 9.4% 10.7% … Read more

Private sector shapes education reform

Oregon’s business community scored a triumph in education reform this session, an effort that spotlights how the private sector — sometimes controversially — is shaping education reform and funding.