Business Support
Business Retention and Expansion
We’re committed to a healthy Portland economy based on thriving local businesses that are growing, adding jobs for local residents, and supported by local government advocacy, marketing and effective business development programs.
- We help firms use PDC loans, labor force systems, SBA, state and local financial and real estate resources
- We provide networking opportunities for firms to work together to solve common problems, and to access industry, neighborhood, and business associations
- We assist firms in solving local problems: permits, zoning, marketing, and infrastructure
- We’re a resource for current business statistics on economic diversity, transportation systems; population and income; labor force and employment; business, land and building costs; tax structure; health and education facilities; and climate and livability. Publications include the Portland Fact Book and the Portland Business Handbook, which includes a new business checklist and a wide range of local resources.
The Business Retention and Expansion team provides assistance to hundreds of businesses each year. In FY 2006-07, that assistance included:
- Contacting nearly 500 local and regional businesses to address key issues, brainstorm solutions and provide specific program help. Thanks to PDC assistance, those companies project the retention and creation of more than 3,700 jobs. Sixty two percent of these firms were small businesses (employing fewer than 50 people), and seventy one percent were in targeted industries.
- Providing loans to 63 businesses totaling $9.8 million, which leveraged $55.6 million in private investment; and
- Awarding 135 Storefront Improvement grants, valued at $1.4 million and attracting more than $5 million in private investment.
Use our online form to schedule a visit with PDC's Business Services team or contact Melanie Rund.
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Portland Development Commission | 222 NW Fifth Ave | Portland, OR 97209-3859
Phone: 503-823-3200 | Fax: 503-823-3368
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