Musician builds baton biz
Alan Pierce, formerly the Oregon Symphony’s principal bass trombonist, has been handcrafting conducting batons for almost 45 years.
Energy utilities
Holiday sales up 3.8 percent
National retailers are posting a 3.8% increase in holiday sales, the highest jump since 2006.
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.
Indow windows opens factory
Startup Indow Windows opened a manufacturing facility for their energy-efficient window inserts in North Portland.
Family business under federal investigation
A Coos Bay family business is under federal investigation for allegedly supplying the military with defective, knock-off products.
Hairstylist blows the whistle in the Pearl
Portland hairstylist Molly Scrutton found that a new hair smoothing product was making her sick, leading to the discovery that it contained formaldehyde.
Passenger surge at PDX
Portland International Airport’s passenger volumes are up 4.5% over last year, signaling a positive sign for the regional economy.
Economy crushes grape growers
Small vineyard owners are suffering this year because of the economy, with many unable to sell their product to local wineries.
Local meat processing pushed
The owner of Mt. Joseph Family Foods wants to bring a mobile slaughter unit to Joseph so local ranchers can market their meat locally.
Electric car battery maker ReVolt comes to Portland
Norwegian electric car battery maker ReVolt is moving its headquarters to Portland after receiving $6.8 million in loans and tax credits.