DISCOVER the
“COOLEST”
PLACE IN THE PORTLAND METRO AREA
For information about operating a business
in Forest Grove, contact the Forest Grove Economic
Development Partnership, (503) 992.3293 or
(503) 357.3006, or email
jking@forestgrove-or.gov
What do you get when you mix first-class urban services, a business-friendly
environment, a growing population and some of the best cultural and recreational
amenities around?
A great place to do business AND be entertained!
Here in the city of Forest Grove, 25 miles west of Portland, we have a reputation
as both a thriving business hub and afterhours’ entertainment mecca. The latter
is what prompted the Thrillist travel website to name Forest Grove one of “The
Coolest Suburbs in America’s 35 Biggest Metro Areas.” The post’s criteria, a place
with unique or historic elements and a good food/drink scene, couldn’t describe
us better.
Our diverse selection of eateries alone is enough to cause gastronomic euphoria.
From a British-style Pub to Peruvian cuisine, Hawaiian comfort food to east-west fusion, we have most palates covered. Prefer sipping? We have an array of
beer breweries, distilleries and a premium saké maker, SakéOne, in town, along
with dozens of wineries close by – including the first pinot noir producer in the
Willamette Valley (David Hill Vineyards). Both food and beverage can also be
enjoyed at the city’s iconic McMenamin’s Grand Lodge, an ecletic, mini-resort
offering unique lodging complete with spa, movie theater and special events.
Did we say events? Within the city and surrounding Washington County, there
is a full slate of community activities. From our Farmers’ Market to a dog-friendly
wine festival, a Sidewalk Chalk Art competition to the Concours D’Elegance
classic car show, there’s something for everyone (and every dog). (For more information on activities “In The Grove,” see www.savorforestgrove.org.) And visitors
can always stroll our historic downtown of shops and art galleries or the beautiful
campus of Pacific University before attending a concert, part of the university’s
annual Performing Art Series.
Prefer something more active? Our prime Pacific Northwest location means there
is the full gamut of recreational opportunities at our doorstep, including boating,
fishing, and swimming at nearby Hagg Lake; hiking and camping in the adjacent
Tillamook State Forest, the state’s largest; bicycling and bird-watching. Beach-combing and skiing are less than two hours away.
But let’s get back to business…which is booming. In 2016-17, there were more
than 350,000 square feet of industrial/commercial new construction and expansions under way, representing nearly a $50 million investment. Not surprisingly,
this is what happens when you can offer all the right ingredients for growth
– affordable land, progressive policies, low-cost utilities, no business tax, some carrots (in the form of Enterprise Zone incentives) – and a decided lack of red tape.
“Forest Grove has all the urban amenities without the big city headaches,” says
John Schwan, Senior Director of T TM Technologies.
When those business advantages are set against a backdrop of exceptional lifestyle
amenities, that’s a recipe for success. As noted by Thrillist, Forest Grove isn’t just a
great place for doing business; you can work, live AND play here.
Ready to discover us? Come visit and stay awhile. We’re “cool” with that.
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