Holiday sales up 3.8 percent
National retailers are posting a 3.8% increase in holiday sales, the highest jump since 2006.
State bans telemarketer
Attorney General John Kroger has banned a major national telemarketing firm from operating in Oregon. Sadly, the agreement has no impact whatsoever on the annoying fundraisers who stalk pedestrians in downtown Portland.
Kitzhaber welcomes probe
Gov.-elect John Kitzhaber says he isn’t concerned about taking on a review of allegations that the Oregon Department of Energy improperly gave business to Kitzhaber’s longtime girlfriend Cylvia Hayes.
The economy and sales representatives
Economist Bill Conerly tackles the challenges that business leaders will face in 2011. Up first: sales representatives get discouraged in a recession. Sales staffs may have been reduced, and sales reps are spending too much time taking orders from repeat customers. What should a manager do?
Solar with no money down
Oregon homeowners can now go solar with no money down, thanks to a lease program that will install solar panels for low monthly payments.
Another solar subsidy
San Jose-based SoloPower Inc. is seeking a $20 million state loan to build a 75-megawatt capacity manufacturing plant in Wilsonville.
End of a maraschino cherry era
Forest Grove’s Gray & Co. shut down its cherry processing facility last week, laying off 23 of its 25 employees.
Milk prices sour dairy outlook
Mallorie’s Dairy of Silverton is closing after 56 years of producing milk, due to declining milk prices.
Shippers get help from port
Columbia River shippers are taking advantage of a subsidy program from the Port of Portland while the barge system is shut down for a repair of the locks.
2010 good for Oregon beer
The craft brewing scene in Oregon expanded in 2010, with over a dozen new pubs and breweries opening in the Portland area alone.