Oregon City revitalizes despite mill closure
The bridge leading into downtown Oregon City is closed for repairs, and the city’s largest employer, the Blue Heron paper mill, is history. So why are downtown boosters here so optimistic?Pendleton launches Portland collection
Pendleton Woolen Mills launches its Portland Collection in September. The Oregon business is steeped in tradition and rich in heritage but for decades their clothes missed the mark with fashion-conscious consumers.
Bioplastic businesses grow
Portland’s upcoming ban on single-use plastic bags, which goes into effect in October, is one sign cities — and consumers — are moving away from petroleum-based plastic bags and food packaging. Growth in Oregon’s “biobased” food packaging industry — companies that use plant-based starches to manufacture bags, food containers, and tableware — is another.
Made-in-Oregon grills gain popularity
Bob and Kerrie Tucker expanded their precision metal shop, MAK Metals, from 6,000 to 30,000 square feet as the recession spread in 2008. They launched their first consumer product, MAK grills, in July 2009. Next they had to convince people to spend $2,000 on a barbecue in a terrible economy. It worked.
Questions linger on pricey toxic cleanup
Environmental 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
After 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.
Portland home to chicken-sitting business
Portland is home to what may be the nation’s first chicken-sitting business: Just Us Hens.
Oregon Business ranks top 3
Oregon Business has been named one of the top three small business-to-business publications in the nation by the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
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
Prices for farm products increase
Farmers have been getting more for their goods. The July 2011 price index for all farm products was up 31% over 2010, with crops up 41% and livestock up 18%.