Wells Fargo tries out monthly debit card fees
Wells Fargo is rolling out a new program to charge a $3 monthly Debit-Card Activity Fee for most Oregon checking account customers.
Reedsport wave energy project delayed
The Ocean Power Technologies wave energy project off the coast of Reedsport is being delayed for further testing of the technology.
Portland gets food-scrap composting
Portland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance adding food-scrap compost services to residential solid waste service.
Blount International keeps growing
When I interviewed Blount International CEO Josh Collins a year ago, he offered a clear strategy for growing sales from $487 million in 2009 to approximately $920 million in 2014. He may hit his goals sooner than planned after Blount’s purchase Wednesday of Illinois-based farm equipment manufacturer Woods Equipment for $185 million.
Oregon gets $16.5M small business credit help
Oregon’s State Small Business Credit Initiative of $16.5 million announced this week doubles the cash on-hand for three funds to help grow small businesses.
Daily deal sites affect local Portland businesses
Some small business owners in Portland feel that using Groupon and other daily deal sites often has unintended consequences for their businesses.
PSU installs free EV charging stations
Portland State University opened “Electric Avenue,” featuring seven electric vehicle charging stations from six different manufacturers.
Under- and unemployed figure at 19.6 percent
Oregon’s economy has stalled at about 9.5% unemployment for months, but that number is actually closer to 19.6% when counting underemployed workers.
Oregon to vie for part of $510M biofuel funding
An Oregon-based effort is vying to bring part of $510 million in federal funding for biofuel production to the Northwest.
Rural development: Are we selling out?
What it really boils down to for rural Oregon is the need to adapt from an economy largely based in timber and agriculture to an economy with a robust balance of commercial, industrial and retail development. Does this mean that rural areas should “settle” for opportunities that don’t perfectly match up with economic development strategies? Does it mean that desperate times call for desperate measures? Maybe, maybe not.