that assist communities, [traded-sector]
businesses or industries in cost-effective
projects. The fund is used to assist businesses with significant long-term, regional,
or statewide economic impacts to provide
interim financing mechanisms to augment
existing private sector programs.
This is a discretionary incentive subject
to application and approval by Business
Oregon, the State economic development
department.
On-the-Job Training (OJT): On-the-job
training contracts are a great way to cut
costs and train new employees to meet
company standards. The Oregon On-the-Job
Training program allows the state to reimburse a business 50% of the cost of wages up
to $4,000 for multiple employees, while the
business trains the new hires to meet specific
company needs. From engineers, to software specialists, to administrative staff and
production workers, on-the-job training can
be used to support a variety of recruitment
needs for almost any position. This program
is subject to application and approval
through workforce agencies.
Solid Foundation for Growth: Greater
Portland was recently identified as one of
the top ten U.S. markets poised to serve tech
company needs. The metrics used to inform
this ranking include job and wage growth,
intellectual capital, innovation, and the
concentration of favorable amenities such as
walkability and access to transit.
WEST COAST BARGAIN
Globally connected, with the most competitive cost of doing business on the West
Coast, the Portland region enjoys a deep
pool of talent that continues to grow, due in
part to its high quality of place and comparatively low cost of living. According to the
National Association of Realtors and the
American Community Survey, the average
median home value is $314,800, and the
median gross monthly rate is $954.
UNIQUE REGIONAL
ADVANTAGES
With exceptional access to the outdoors
and a terrific food and beverage scene, the
PORTLAND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND NETWORKING GROUPS
Civic Organizations
City Club of Portland www.pdxcityclub.org
Rotary Club www.rotarypdx.org
World Affairs Council of Oregon www.worldoregon.org
Entrepreneur Groups
Oregon Entrepreneur Network www.oen.org
Environmentally Friendly
Green Drinks www.pdxgreendrinks.org
Technology Groups
Chick Tech www.portland.chicktech.org
PDX Mindshare www.pdxmindshare.com
SEMpdx www.sempdx.org
Technology Association of Oregon www.techoregon.org
Networking/Business Referral Groups
Bridges Business Networking Group www.bridgesnetworking.com
Business Network International www.bnioregon.com
Circle Up Networking www.circleupnetworking.com
I Take the Lead www.itakethelead.com
Metropolitan Business Association www.mba-pdx.com
Network After Work www.networkafterwork.com/city/portland
Oregon Executives Association www.oregonexecutives.com
Partners in Diversity - Say Hey! www.partnersindiversity.org
Portland Buisness Journal events www.bizjournals.com/portland/calendar
Portland Le Tip www.portlandletip.com
Schmooze www.schmoozepdx.com
Professional Development Sales/Marketing/Public Relations/Consulting
American Marketing Association www.ama-pdx.org
Portland Advertising Federation www.portlandadfed.com
Public Relations Society of America www.prsa-portland.org
Women’s Groups
e Women Network www.ewomennetwork.com
Portland Female Executives www.pdxfx.org
Portlandia Club www.portlandia.org
Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon www.oregonweo.org
Women Entrepreneurs Organization
of Vancouver www.weowa.org
Women With Moxie www.womenwithmoxie.com
Young Groups
Emerging Professionals of Portland www.portlandalliance.com/epop
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network www.ynpnportland.org
Young Women Social Entrepreneurs www.ywse.org/portland
