Eastern Oregon chemical weapons incineration closing
The Umatilla Chemical Depot will cease destroying chemical weapons in November, resulting in a loss of danger but also a loss of 650 jobs.
Economic development
Year-round farmers market coming to Springfield
An indoor, year-round farmers market may be coming to Springfield, in an effort dubbed the Community Food Hub Project.
PDC mishandles Centennial Mills
The Portland Development Commission’s handling of Centennial Mills with LAB Holding, the firm chosen to develop the site, has been marked with confusion and finger-pointing. A conflict of interest may be to blame.
Early-stage tech funding increases in Oregon
In the decade following the dot-com bust, little funding money was available for tech entrepreneurs in Oregon. That seems to be changing now.
Powell’s reorganizes, eliminates eight managers
Powell’s Books, Inc. is undergoing a major reorganization, as Emily Powell becomes chief executive officer and the company lays off eight corporate managers.
Umpqua expands green lending program to businesses
Umpqua Bank is expanding its GreenStreet lending program to businesses. The program offers loans for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.
Oregon unemployment remains flat in August
Unemployment remained almost perfectly flat in August, with 21 of Oregon’s 36 counties stuck in double-digit unemployment.
Legislative staff to take unpaid furloughs
The staff of the Oregon Legislature will be subject to unpaid furloughs, although most of their days off will differ from those taken by other state employees.
Oregon minimum wage rises
Oregon’s minimum wage will rise 30 cents to $8.80 an hour next year.
Portlander named one of top 10 female entrepreneurs
Portland-based gDiaper founder Kimberly Graham-Nye was named one of Fortune Magazine’s Top Ten Most Promising Women Entrepreneurs.