What Kimberly Branam Wants for Portland
Prosper Portland’s director is optimistic about the city’s prospects and her agency’s efforts to overcome a troubling past.
Economy and Finance
Sparking Community
An empty storefront in downtown Burns has been remade into a creative space and small-business incubator.
Sponsors See “Path Forward” for Cannabis Banking Bill
The SAFE Banking Act has passed out of the House of Representatives seven times but failed in the Senate.
Intel Confirms Job Cuts Are Coming but Offers Few Specifics
More than 500 California Intel employees lost their jobs in January, but Oregon numbers were not announced.
The Power of Partnership
How the Coos, Curry, and Douglas Counties Business Development Corporation’s award-winning Economic Recovery Initiative set up small businesses and nonprofits in Southern Oregon to thrive
Tony Hopson Hopes Historic $400M Investment Will “Make the Difference” for Black Portland
Phil and Penny Knight’s investment in the newly established 1803 Fund is earmarked for the fund’s Rebuild Albina project.
A Rising Tide
In 2022 Lance J. Randall moved to Portland to lead the Black Business Association of Oregon — a newly formed organization with its sights on attracting, retaining and supporting Black-owned businesses throughout the state.
Black Venture Fund Receives Historic Investment from Oregon Community Foundation
Black Founders Matter’s managing director says the investment will help them spur the growth of entrepreneurs of color in Oregon, though OCF declined to give the specific amount.
Small But Mighty
Microlenders have stepped in to support small businesses traditional banks do not serve — helping marginalized entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
Microloans Under the Microscope
What’s a microloan? A microloan is what it sounds like: a small loan. As a general rule, it refers to a small-business loan made to an entrepreneur looking to get started or grow their business. How small does a loan have to be to qualify as a microloan? It depends who you ask. The U.S. … Read more
