Economic Opportunity

Business thrives when people from all backgrounds have economic opportunity.

What we achieved:

In early 2019, BBPDX stepped up to support revenue reform, education investments, and The Student Success Act (HB 3427). We published thoughtful op-eds and sent both sign-on letters and individual members to Salem to voice their concerns about the deterioration of education across the state and making the business case for the comprehensive revenue reform to address it.

In March, BBPDX was proud to join with other multicultural chambers to advocate for Prosper Portland’s launch of Portland Means Progress, an initiative to encourage businesses to hire local underrepresented students, purchase from businesses owned by people of color and contribute to a thriving and more diverse business community and a more just economy. We continue to participate in the stakeholder group monitoring this initiative to make sure that it has meaningful outcomes and that the businesses who join up are supported in operationalizing the values that Portland Means Progress promotes.

In June, we joined with the Portland Incubator Experiment (PIE) to rally 87 businesses in less than 24 hours to reach out to the Oregon Legislature in support of funding for the Oregon Growth Fund. This fund provides early stage support for traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs.

This fall, BBPDX members and others from around the state testified before the House Economic Development Committee about challenges they’ve faced accessing capital to grow their businesses. That action led to BBPDX participation in a series of meetings convened by legislative leaders and, in November, and the unexpected opportunity to propose a framework for legislation to address barriers to capital access.

What we learned:

BBPDX learned that we can welcome in new initiatives, but unless we stay at the table and monitor implementation, we can’t count on the intended outcomes. Long-term engagement is arduous and time consuming but necessary to ensure success.

We also learned that the legislative process is cumbersome and unpredictable and that sometimes, fast action is needed to take advantage of a window of opportunity — be it mobilizing businesses to speak up or proposing a plan for action. When we move quickly, it is never our intention to leave partners behind and it is incumbent upon BBPDX to provide opportunities for collaboration in all of our efforts.

What’s next:

BBPDX hits the ground running in 2020, coordinating with the growing coalition of organizations and businesses that are lining up to support HB 4033. Learn more and get involved here.

Economic Opportunity

What we achieved:

What we learned:

What’s next:

Further reading: