Featured
Aug 9, 2021
Oregon law expands access to capital for disadvantaged businesses
“The community is desperate for programs like this,” said one of the law’s supporters.
By Kate Davidson
“The first fund provides a backstop to community lenders who work with small businesses that face barriers getting conventional loans. One common hurdle is collateral, which is often tied to intergenerational wealth.
‘Your house,’ said Ashley Henry, the executive director of Business for a Better Portland, which pushed for the legislation. ‘Owning a home is probably one of the biggest examples of that.’
‘If you are someone who lives in a rural community or someone who is a business owner of color and you’ve historically been marginalized from our economic system, and you don’t have access to that intergenerational wealth, there’s a pretty good chance that you’re not going to have that collateral that a lender would want to see,’ Henry said.”
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Read the full story in OPB.
April 2, 2021
Big Ideas: Ashley Henry, Business for a Better Portland, on evening the playing field
We asked more than a dozen business, civic and elected leaders to share an idea they believe can make Portland a stronger community for all
“I know from my personal life that one of the hardest things about making change is first having to acknowledge and accept difficult truths. As we Portlanders try to chart a course beyond the current economic and social crisis, the same is true for us.
The first truth we must recognize is that the “K-shaped” economic recovery we are experiencing right now — in which some businesses are prospering while others are in distress—is a magnification of the economy Portland had before Covid. The gap between the upward and downward slopes of the “K” has expanded in the pandemic, but the gap itself is nothing new.”
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Read the full story in the Portland Business Journal.
feb 23, 2021
Gov. Kate Brown throws her support behind access to capital legislation
By Matthew Kish
“Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday testified in support of a bill that would improve access to capital for underserved communities, a signal that the legislation is a top priority for her.
"For far too long, Oregon's Black, Indigenous, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, immigrant, refugee, Native American, and tribal communities have not had a seat at the table," Brown said in her prepared remarks. "Our budgets, policy agenda, and priorities should reflect, support, and honor the communities who have been the most deeply impacted by systemic racism."“
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Read the full story in the Portland Business Journal.
FEB 5, 2021
Business leaders say pandemic should propel change, progress
Leaders of Portland-area BIPOC business groups say efforts need to adapt to economy, inequities.
By Nick Budnick
“Leaders of BIPOC business groups on Wednesday, Feb. 3, said that lasting progress toward equity requires small but important changes involving not just government but the business community as well.
Nkenge Harmon Johnson of the Urban League of Portland moderated the virtual hour-long discussion, part of a series called "State of the Possible" hosted by City Club of Portland.
Participants said the state's pandemic economy was "K-shaped," meaning that some businesses and people have done well while others have suffered.”
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Read the full story in the Portland Tribune.
jan 19, 2021
Legislature 2021: What you need to know as lawmakers get down to business
By Christopher Bjorke
“Covid is one issue that could inspire bipartisan legislation this session.
The Legislative Emergency Board met more than a dozen times since Covid landed in Oregon in February, approving millions in aid for rental assistance and small business support. With the session underway, the business of allocating millions more is front and center.
That includes distribution of $100 million approved by lawmakers on Jan. 8 to support businesses struggling to pay rent.
Lawmakers will also consider new measures to bring economic relief to business owners and individuals. In addition, expect to hear about Covid liability protection for health care providers and other businesses, similar to what was approved for schools during December’s special session…”
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Read the full story in the Portland Business Journal.
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