Off-shored workers get free retraining
The federal Trade Act allows recently laid-off workers to be retrained for free, but can it offset the loss of jobs to other countries?
Oregon Business Team
Soda tax bubbling up
Washington already has a tax on sodas, and discussions on a similar tax in Oregon are under way.
Free Box produces on ultra-low budget
While living out of a van and working part-time jobs, two Portlanders create a popular web show for less than $5 an episode.
StanCorp earnings down
The insurance company’s earnings fell short due to “volatile disability claims experience” over the second quarter.
Lawmakers save in-home care
Oregon’s Legislative Emergency Board shifts $17 million to save in-home care and other human services programs.
Editor’s Notes: resort group thinks small
Earlier this month I wrote a 4,000-word story on the shaky future of large destination resorts in Oregon. Here’s the abridged version: The housing collapse, over-saturation and public outcry has stalled any new big resorts, those given an exemption to build outside urban growth boundaries in hopes of spurring tourism for rural economies.
Foodie PR for PDX
Five Portland restaurants in the past year have made it onto Bon Appetit’s Top 10 lists: Higgins Restaurant and Bar (best Thanksgiving), Bunk Sandwiches (hotdogs), Little T American Baker (coffee shops), Pine State Biscuits (chicken), and Foster Burger (guess). Being listed in the national foodie magazine has brought some welcome publicity and new customers.
Wineries say kegs are good for sales
Nontraditional wine packaging is saving restaurants money and in turn expanding the restaurant market for vineyards.
Sushi’s safe
The BP oil spill that’s devastating the seafood industry in the Gulf Coast region isn’t yet affecting Oregon’s sushi restaurants.
The green benefits of cork
Cork is an important part of the wine industry. Maybe not as critical as the grape, but hard to think of a bottle without it. Salem-based Cork ReHarvest, an environmental nonprofit, is working to bolster cork’s importance as a manufactured good with a new cork recycling program.