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Portland Business Journal
Why the feds are giving a Portland nonprofit, McMinnville mill $5M
A Portland nonprofit that develops programs to encourage eco-friendly buildings and a McMinnville sustainable-wood mill were selected for Inflation Reduction Act federal grants totaling $5 million.<\p> The competitive Environmental Protection Agency grant program is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions embodied in building materials and give the federal government sourcing options under the Federal Buy Clean Initiative.<\p>
Viewpoint: Sen. Bonham on prioritizing policies to keep OR competitive
As Oregonians, we take pride in our state's innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. However, recent developments highlight a troubling trend: our state's competitiveness is slipping due to misguided policy decisions.<\p> Just recently, it was disheartening to learn that a substantial $1.2 billion loan from the U.S. government intended for an Oregon-based battery company is slated for a factory in Indiana instead. This decision underscores a critical issue we must urgently address: the failure of current policies to retain investments and foster local job growth.<\p>
Riders left hanging upside down 50 feet in air take Oaks Park to court
Portland's Oaks Park has been hit with a fifth lawsuit in connection with the malfunctioning of its AtmosFEAR ride that left riders hanging upside down for 25 minutes.<\p> The latest suit, filed Monday in Multnomah Count Circuit Court on behalf of one of the 28 riders, asks for up to $345,000 in damages. Attorney Michael Fuller, who has been filing the lawsuits, says there could be a few more coming. Fuller said Oaks Park “appears to have $5 million to $10 million in insurance coverage.”<\p>
Nike gets a needed innovation win
Facing criticism for an innovation slump, Nike got some needed recognition this week for its latest running shoe.<\p> Fast Company awarded Nike with its 2024 Innovation by Design Award in sports and recreation for its Alphafly 3 shoe. This shoe became widely known after marathon runners Kelvin Kiptum and Sifan Hassan broke records for men’s and women’s marathon times in prototypes of the shoe last fall.<\p>
Food cart pod planned for high-visibility spot in Southeast Portland
A new — and fancy — food cart pod is coming to one of the most high-profile spots in Southeast Portland — the former La Carreta Mexican restaurant property in the Brooklyn neighborhood.<\p> The colorful eatery and cantina, where mariachi bands once moved from table to table, was a mainstay for more than 30 years, before shuttering in the summer of 2022, with the triangular-shaped property sitting vacant and in disrepair. A few months later, Garner Moody and his company Lloyd Development scooped up the property, at the intersection of McLoughlin and Holgate boulevards. <\p>
Portland clinic tailors mushroom therapy for traumatized groups
About eight months after opening its psilocybin service center on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, InnerTrek is moving into specialized group sessions.<\p> “We have a beautiful group space and we really believe in the power of healing and community and have some identity-specific programming coming up,” said Emma Knighton, who started in March as InnerTrek’s director of Services.<\p>
Oregon's most expensive ZIP codes for housing
When it comes to pricey real estate in Oregon, one suburban ZIP code stands alone. <\p> The typical home value in Lake Oswego's 97304 ZIP code was $1,115,341 in March 2024 — leading the way among all ZIP codes in the state.<\p>
Country clubs are getting younger. Not everyone is happy about it.
Pine Tree Country Club general manager Andrew Smith isn’t sweating the dress code.<\p> The Birmingham, Alabama, club has relaxed its clothing rules since its founding in 1968, when it debuted as the result of a merger between two private clubs. Since then, the focus at the club has been on creating a fun, friendly atmosphere where people can meet — and membership has grown as a result.<\p>
Portland dining group reboots downtown bar
Restaurant group Sesame Collective has revamped its first bar concept to reopen it as a companion bar to its successful downtown restaurant Dolly Olive. <\p> The new space, called Bar Dolly, is at 1215 S.W. Alder St. next door to the restaurant. It has seating for 30, including 14 bar seats. The bar is mostly walk-ins but will have limited reservations, said Laura Amans, partner and chief people officer for Sesame Collective. <\p>
Oregon climate goals get $197M boost from feds
Oregon will receive $197 million to advance its greenhouse gas reduction goals from Environmental Protection Agency, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Monday.<\p> “Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a critical strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Kotek said in the announcement. "This investment is not only an affirmation of Oregon’s collective efforts to combat climate change, but a significant down payment on our ability to meet our reduction goals with a statewide approach."<\p>
The PBJ's Makers and Manufacturers awards nomination deadline nears
Attention all game-changers: Here's your chance to shine.<\p> The PBJ's 2024 Makers & Manufacturers Awards nomination deadline is fast-approaching (it's been extended to Aug. 4: You can make your nomination here), bringing with it the chance to both collect honors in a captivating and innovative sector as well as learn about a bevy of Portland-spawned or -developed advances.<\p>
Opinion: Why, when addressing homelessness, we all want the same thing
On June 28, the Supreme Court handed down a much-anticipated ruling on a case out of Oregon that directly affects people experiencing homelessness across the nation (City of Grants Pass v Johnson). <\p> By a vote of 6 to 3, justices empowered cities to enforce laws that prohibit people experiencing homelessness from sleeping outside, even when there are no safe alternatives. <\p>
Portland-area money manager buys a Tigard cohort
A Portland-area wealth manager has completed a deal that will fortify its client roster.<\p> Single Point Financial Advisors, of Beaverton, has bought the investment clients from Tigard's Southwest Financial Services. The move brings accounts from 115 new households to Single Point, according to owner Christy Aleckson. The one-time PBJ 40 Under 40 and Women of Influence honoree said the deal will move her firm up from the No. 44 spot on the region's Largest Money Management Firms list to at least No. 42. <\p>
Commissioner's comments renew Portland's WNBA hopes
After Portland was left out of WNBA expansion last year, hopes for pro women's basketball in the city have been rekindled with comments by the league's commissioner that it plans to keep adding new teams.<\p> "We have been talking with our teams' GMs and coaches and our owners about the expansion draft that will occur most likely in December of this year. We need to do it, then we have the draft lottery, then the NCAA season concludes, then we have our draft," Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters at the WNBA All-Star game. "Our teams are aware. We'll make final decisions and make those announcements in the coming months."<\p>
IRS ERC moratorium could cost the agency billions
Efforts by the Internal Revenue Service to crack down on Employee Retention Credit fraud could cost the agency billions of dollars in interest payments.<\p> The IRS in an announcement in June said it had taken the time since its Sept. 14 moratorium on processing new ERC applications to analyze the more than 1 million ERC claims filed in 2023. Through that analysis, it found that between 60% and 70% of the applications showed an unacceptable level of risk.<\p>
Five Things to know for Monday: Beckham's win, a big restaurant pivot
We're approaching the dog days, Portland. July will be over before you can say "charcoal briquets" and August will end before you've even gotten to the beach. It's just been one of those summers.<\p> If you're in the office this week, here are a few pieces to talk about around the break room as you're grabbing your morning coffee. Or, whatever, talk about them all day, for all we care. They're good stories. Here are today's Five Things.<\p>
Lawyers battling PacifiCorp suggest collusion by utility, rival firms
The lead counsel in the big Oregon wildfire class-action lawsuit against PacifiCorp say they suspect three insurgent law firms are working with the company to settle cases at "a bargain-based price point."<\p> In a July 18 filing in Multnomah County Circuit Court, they asked a judge to explore the possibility of collusion by the utility and their rivals.<\p>
How a NW 23rd restaurant keeps up with changing hospitality industry
When Mediterranean restaurant Zula opened in 2023, it navigated a changed world of hospitality after the height of the pandemic. <\p> One year in, the restaurant is again adapting to changing needs, shifting from counter service to full service and adding a new chef with a hot resume, all while staying true to the owners’ goal. <\p>
OHSU-developed flu vaccine heads down the testing path
An OHSU-developed vaccine platform holds the potential for a “one and done” universal flu vaccine in five years or less.<\p> As described in a study published Friday in the journal Nature Communications, researchers measured the immune response in nonhuman primates exposed to the H5N1 influenza, or bird flu. The vaccine candidate, however, is based in the 1918 influenza virus.<\p>
Oregon wildfire hazard map: See how your property fares
Oregon has a new draft wildfire hazard map, two years after the first version raised a storm of controversy and was withdrawn. <\p> The Department of Forestry on Thursday posted the interactive map, required under comprehensive 2021 legislation enacted in the wake of the devastating Labor Day 2020 wildfires. Officials are encouraging Oregonians to check it out and give feedback by Aug. 18.<\p>
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