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1. Together we make a difference
By Judy Peppler, Chair, Alliance Board of Directors
As chair of the Alliance, I frequently talk to other businesses about joining our organization. The most frequent response is "Why? Why should I, as a very busy business leader, put my time and money into this organization?"
Here's my answer: Working together, we can make a difference. We can make the Portland region a better place to do business, strengthen our economy and address the important issues that impact our community. And this year, I have tangible
proof of that claim because we are making a difference in areas that our members have identified as their top priorities. Consider these successes:
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Local Business Tax Relief - In January, Portland City Council approved the first-ever comprehensive reform of the city's business license fee. Council voted to raise the gross receipts minimum to $50,000, and to raise the owners'
compensation deduction to $80,000 this year. Additionally, Council expressed its intention to raise the owners' compensation deduction to $125,000 over the next five years, getting it to a level that we think is fairer for local business
owners. We appreciate City Council's leadership on this effort, especially Commissioner Sam Adams who led the charge to make it happen. And we are very pleased that Multnomah County leadership has expressed interest in working with us to
achieve similar reforms to the county's Business Income Tax.
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School Funding - Last spring, the Alliance leadership worked with public officials on a short-term finance package that would ensure a full 2005/2006 school year for Multnomah County schools. We then partnered with them again to
pass a five-year operating levy for Portland Public Schools, which will move the district away from annual school funding crises. This has the added benefit of ending the Business License Fee surcharge local business leaders have paid for
the last five years to alleviate the school funding crises.
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Public Safety - The Alliance worked closely with the City to win continuation of the prostitution- and drug-free zones, which have helped keep a lid on crime in key problem areas across the city. Additionally, working on behalf of
Portland Downtown Services Inc., we have worked with the Mayor to devote additional private security and police resources in the downtown core and, ultimately, achieved a 13 percent reduction in crime in that area.
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Helping the Homeless - The Alliance is partnering with the City on a number of programs to assist people in need. We are helping to fund new day shelters for homeless people in the downtown core, and, through PDSI, are assisting
with the opening of additional restroom facilities. Additionally, through PDSI, we are funding a program to provide housing and support services for homeless individuals who are chronically in the public safety system. This program has had
phenomenal results, with the number of crimes committed by these individuals greatly reduced.
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Central City Livability - We expect City Council this month to pass an ordinance prohibiting individuals from sitting, lying or placing belongings on the sidewalk in high pedestrian areas. The ordinance will initially apply to the
downtown and Lloyd Center areas, but other neighborhoods will be able to petition for coverage if problems appear in their business districts.
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Job Preservation - The Alliance worked closely with other business groups to convince City Council to preserve the Linnton Industrial Sanctuary, helping to ensure that we save industrial jobs within the city.
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Transportation - Working with the Port of Portland and Metro, we developed the first Cost of Congestion Study, changing how leaders look at transportation investments, helping them focus on return on investment. We are now working
with others on a statewide Cost of Congestion Study that will hopefully assist the Legislature as they look at transportation investments in our state.
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Economic Development - Working with other business organizations, the Alliance led the development of the Regional Business Plan, and began implementation of initiatives from that Plan. One successful initiative included launching
of the Four-County Economic Development Corporation, a privately funded organization that will work on economic development marketing. The Alliance assisted with that launch, and many of our members are among the initial funders.
These are just the highlights. Every day, the Alliance is working on issues that impact you and all of the businesses in our region. I am glad you are part of the Alliance - and I hope you will join me in encouraging other businesses to be
part of it as well. Because together, we can make a difference.
2. City Council endorses Business License Fee relief
Addressing an issue that has long been the top concern for local businesses, Portland City Council has unanimously endorsed a plan to provide relief from the City's business license fee (BLF), a tax that is particularly hard on small,
locally owned businesses, sole proprietors and professional service providers operating in the city of Portland.
On January 18, the Council voted to adopt a resolution directing the Office of Management and Finance (OMF) to draft the necessary code changes to amend the BLF. Council is expected to vote on an ordinance with specific code changes to
implement the tax relief by the end of February.
The Alliance, along with several partner business organizations, worked closely with Commissioner Sam Adams on development of the proposal, which will increase the owners' compensation deduction from $60,000 to $80,000 and the gross
receipts exemption from $25,000 to $50,000. The resolution also expresses Council intent to increase the owners' compensation deduction to $125,000 over five years.
"Passage of this resolution is a very positive development for the Portland business community," said Sandra McDonough, President and CEO of the Alliance. "We appreciate that City Council recognized the need to build some fairness into
this tax for local business owners, and were particularly pleased to see their intent to raise the owners' compensation deduction to $125,000, which is much more equitable than the current $60,000."
McDonough said Mayor Tom Potter has indicated that city budget analysts are already looking at how that five-year phase-in can be built into the city's budget planning. Changes will take effect for the tax year beginning January 2007. The
changes could affect how business owners estimate quarterly earnings for 2007. The changes do not impact 2006 filings due April 15, 2007.
On another front, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and other county commissioners have said they are committed to working with the Alliance to adopt similar reforms to the County's Business Income Tax as well.
For specific questions related to your business license fee filing requirements, please contact the City of Portland's Revenue Bureau at 503.823.5157 or visit
http://www.portlandonline.com/omf/index.cfm?c=29320.
3. Three weeks left for the Top Ten Growth Awards
 Thanks to successful businesses in the Portland-Vancouver region, the local economy is one of the fastest growing in the nation. To
recognize the valuable contributions these companies make in providing jobs and sustaining our local economy, the Alliance and Oregon Business magazine have established the Top Ten Growth Awards.
Was 2006 a great year for your business? You could be a Top Ten Growth Award winner! It's not too late to apply for this year's awards - send in your application by February 28, 2007.
Winners will receive their awards during the Alliance Annual Meeting in May 2007 and be profiled in the May issue of Oregon Business magazine, the co-sponsor of the awards.
To be eligible, a company must have been in business in the region since December 31, 2004, be a member of a chamber of commerce in Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill counties or Clark County in Washington, or of the Oregon
Association of Minority Entrepreneurs.
Online applications are available on the Alliance web site,
click here. For more information, call Christine Gatlin at 503.552.6742.
4. Portland's attractions featured in Frommer's 2007 guide
Citing the Portland area's excellent outdoor adventure opportunities and flourishing restaurant scene, the editors at Frommer's Travel Guides and Frommers.com named Portland as one of their "Top 12 Travel Destinations for 2007." Frommer's
picked Portland and 11 other locations around the globe as "surprising, thriving, or emerging travel destinations" that travelors shouldn't miss.
Frommer's is the market leader in travel guides, publishing more than 300 guidebooks each year. Annually, 2.5 million copies of Frommer's guides are purchased. Visit the
Frommer's web site to read more about the 2007 picks.
The Vancouver Sun newspaper of Vancouver, British Columbia, also recently chose Portland as a great destination for travelers. In his article "Paint the Town in Portland," travel writer Joseph Blake highlighted Portland's unique
restaurant offerings and many downtown attractions.
"A dynamic city of about one million, Portland is home to a handful of small, liberal arts colleges that give the compact downtown core a highly educated, politically and environmentally conscious community," wrote Blake.
Read the article here.
5. Smoking ban goes into effect in Pioneer Square
Portland's proverbial "living room", Pioneer Courthouse Square, has a different feel these days. In January, Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman enacted a smoking ban in the Square, and near playgrounds in all city parks.
"The Square looks cleaner and has a more family friendly atmosphere," said Clean & Safe Director Bill Sinnott. "The smoking ban has greatly increased the livability of Pioneer Square." Clean & Safe, the security and maintenance program
managed by the Alliance on behalf of downtown business owners, provides security services in Pioneer Square.
6. Portland community data available online
For companies and individuals doing research about the Portland region, the Alliance has added a new link to valuable community data compiled by the Portland Development Commission on the Alliance homepage. In addition to basic
demographics, the site provides up to date information about business resources, incentives, risk exposure data, real estate and much more. Go to www.portlandalliance.com and view the "About Portland" menu or
click here.
7. Certificates of Origin available from the Alliance
The Alliance is pleased to assist local exporters and freight forwarders with the Certificate of Origin process. Some foreign governments require a Certificate of Origin to verify the country in which the shipped goods originated.
Government officials determine if a certificate is required based on the commodity being exported and its destination.
The cost for a certificate is $5 for Alliance members, $10 for non-members. Contact
Trish Presting for more information.
8. February Forum: Legislative Agenda for 2007
Wednesday, February 21
Governor Hotel, 614 S.W. 11th Avenue
7:30-8:45 a.m.
What are the major issues facing the 2007 Oregon Legislature? The Alliance has strong relationships with the Governor and legislative leaders in both parties, which will help in advancing our legislative agenda to support business and the
region's economy. Come hear elected leaders discuss the issues that will affect the business community during this year's legislative session.
Event Sponsor: Portland General Electric
Series Sponsors:
February Fitness Tip: Get fit together
By Sherri and Alex McMillan
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the LOVE bug has struck, making it a great opportunity to work out together with your special someone. Spending quality time together will keep both of you healthy and fit, as well improve your
relationship!
Most studies report that working out together will help each of you stick to the program - it's harder to cop out when you know someone is counting on you. Plus, working out with someone else makes it more fun so that you almost forget
you're working out!
Besides the obvious choice of joining a fitness club, you should also consider activities that require two people. For example, indoor rock climbing requires two people so it's a perfect activity for partners. It's safe and an activity
that you can do together regardless of individual skill level.
Dancing is another activity to do together. Enroll in a community dance program to learn the Tango, Salsa, Rumba, Swing, Cha Cha or Foxtrot . Dancing provides a great cardiovascular workout and is a good calorie burner, not to mention
you'll be a hit at your next family gathering.
There are numerous activities that couples can do together. Select one that works well for both of your personalities and schedules. Instead of going for the typical gifts of chocolate, flowers or perfume, surprise your partners with the
gift of time. And, of course, don't forget to schedule massages for each of you after the workout!
Sherri and Alex McMillan own Northwest Personal Training & Fitness Education and have been in the fitness industry for more than 18 years. They were recently awarded the 2006 IDEA International Fitness Directors of the
Year. Visit their web site at
www.nwpersonaltraining.com. |
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Economic Updates
10. Portland's average employment up over 2005
The Portland metro area's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in December compared with 4.9 percent in November. The year-ago rate was 5.2 percent.
Portland's seasonally adjusted non-farm payroll employment increased by 300 in December to 1,016,000. Preliminary 2006 annual average employment was 1,007,300, up 2.6 percent over 2005.
Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December was 5.4 percent compared with 5.3 percent in November. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in both November and December.
Source: Amy Vander Vliet, Regional Economist, Oregon Employment Department
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Member Updates
11. Oregon Iron Works awarded federal streetcar contract
Alliance member Oregon Iron Works, Inc. was awarded a $4 million contract to produce the nation's first domestically-manufactured modern streetcar. During a ceremony on January 26, U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio was joined by Governor
Ted Kulongoski to announce the contract. Oregon Iron Works will build a prototype streetcar under its newly formed subsidiary, United Streetcar LLC. The award of this contract makes Oregon Iron Works the sole manufacturer of the modern
low-floor streetcar.
To handle the new project, Oregon Iron Works has immediately added 20 new family wage jobs, with the potential for hundreds more as national demand for streetcars increases. According to DeFazio, there are 80 cities interested in streetcar
systems.
12. The Portland Aerial Tram is now open to the public
The Portland Aerial Tram opened for routine service on January 29, after a grand opening weekend when an estimated 10,000 people took advantage of free introductory "flights" on the city's newest public conveyance.
The City of Portland owns the tram and Oregon Health and Science University operates it under a unique city-university partnership arrangement.
The tram operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. There is no service on Sundays. Tram admission is included with annual and monthly TriMet and Portland Streetcar passes. Annual tram passes
may be purchased for $100 and will be a valid fare instrument on the streetcar as well. The fare for riders without tram or transit passes is $4 for one round trip on the day of purchase.
Throughout February introductory rides will be offered for free to the public from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and all day on Saturday.
13. TMT announces new high rise office tower downtown
Last month, Alliance member Tom Moyer and his company, TMT Development, announced plans to develop a new 35-story high-rise, mixed-use office development at Park Block Four in the heart of Portland's downtown central business district. The
new $150 million dollar tower, to be named Park Avenue West, will be one of Portland's tallest buildings at 410 feet.
The Park Avenue West will include approximately 525,000 square feet of office, retail, housing and parking space. TMT Development expects to begin construction in fall 2007.
14. Upcoming Meetings
February 7, Central City Standing Committee, noon
February 9, President's Council, noon
February 13, Transportation Committee, noon
February 13, Top Ten Growth Awards Committee, 4 pm
February 20, Downtown Retail Council, 7:30 am
February 20, Communications Committee, noon
February 20, Cornerstones for Success Committee, 3:30 pm
February 27, Public Safety Sub-Committee, 8 am
February 28, Government Relations Committee, 7:30
February 28, Small Business Council, 3 pm
15.
Print a copy of this month's Calendar of Events or
view online calendar
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