Prosper Portland Partners and Other Resources

Biz Center
Hosted by the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network, Bizcenter has online resources to help with starting a business, growing a business and expanding markets. Organized in easy to access toolkits, Bizcenter compliments the services and programs offered by Oregon’s Small Business Development Centers. learn more

Oregon Business Wizard
Using a series of questions and answers, the Wizard provides customized information to help you start and operate an Oregon-based business. learn more

Register a new business with the City of Portland
Information about registering and filing business taxes in the City of Portland and Multnomah County. learn more

U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America’s future, and to helping the United States compete in today’s global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. learn more

Business Location Services: Site Selection And Recruitment
Prosper Portland partners with Greater Portland, Inc. and other key organizations to promote Portland globally as a competitive location to start, grow, or locate a business. We work with you to identify resources for starting, expanding or moving your business to Portland. learn more

Greater Portland Inc.- A Regional Outlook
A regional partnership helping companies expand and locate in the Portland-Vancouver area. learn more

Oregon Labor Market Information System
Part of the Oregon Employment Department, Quality Info has access to job openings, labor market information, sales and market information, and statistical analysis related to Oregon and its regional economies. learn more

Oregon Prospector
Oregon Prospector is Oregon’s official web site for those interested in relocating or expanding a business in Oregon. It connects companies with Oregon communities delivering good jobs and unlimited economic opportunity. learn more

Port of Portland Real Estate Portfolio 
From urban to suburban, wetlands to islands, business parks to parking lots, the Port of Portland manages a large and diverse portfolio of properties. As one of the largest land owners in the region, the Port owns and manages more than 9,700 acres of land and 720 acres of environmental mitigation sites. learn more

Portland Brownfield Program 
The Portland Brownfield Program helps transform brownfields into vibrant working space for the City of Portland. We can provide technical and financial support to property owners, developers, and community members when contamination is a concern. learn more

Portland Enterprise Zone Program
The Enterprise Zone is a State of Oregon economic development program that allows for property tax exemptions on new investments for up to five years. learn more

Portland Maps
Online access to property information including zoning, development incentives, demographic information and much more. learn more

Business Oregon
Business Oregon works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs. The Oregon Business Development Commission oversees the agency’s activities to ensure a coherent, integrated approach to economic development and a continuous policy direction that can transcend changes in executive and legislative leadership. learn more

Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership
OMEP consultants provide lean enterprise training and implementation assistance to a wide variety of industry sectors with the aim of making Oregon companies more competitive. Prosper Portland partners with OMEP by providing 50% of the cost of lean/efficiency improvement consultations for Portland manufacturers. learn more

International Export Assistance
International trade specialists dedicated to helping small-to-medium-sized Oregon and Southwest Washington companies develop international markets. learn more

Business Oregon Financing Programs
The State of Oregon has a number of financing resources for business starting, expanding or locating in the Portland region. Through Business Oregon, programs range from direct loans, loan guarantees, industrial development bonds and development assistance. learn more

Craft 3
Our mission—our passion—is to strengthen economic, ecological and family resilience in Pacific Northwest communities. Craft3 is a non-profit, lending money and providing expertise to great people doing great things, who don’t normally have access to financing. Nothing gets us more excited than turning our resources into unusually large outcomes. learn more

Mercy Corps NW Loan Program
Mercy Corps Northwest/MCNW is a nationally recognized microfinance organization that has been delivering small business loans since 2001. The MCNW loan program provides needed capital to qualified individuals who cannot obtain traditional bank loans in Washington and Oregon. learn more

Prosper Portland Financial Support Programs
Portland companies able to obtain some financing from private sources or lenders, but not enough to achieve their objectives, are potential candidates for business assistance. Applicants must show that their business will create new or retain existing jobs paying competitive wages and benefits, with real opportunities for advancement. learn more

Portland Enterprise Zone Program 
The Enterprise Zone is a State of Oregon economic development program that allows for property tax exemptions on new investments for up to five years. learn more

Portland Maps
Online access to property information including zoning, development incentives, demographic information and much more. learn more

Food Innovation Center
The Food Innovation Center (FIC) Agricultural Experiment Station is located in Portland, OR. The FIC is a resource for client-based Product and Process Development, Packaging Engineering and Shelf Life Studies, and Consumer Sensory Testing. Research work is conducted to develop innovative Processing and Packaging Technologies. The FIC also engages in scholarly research in Agricultural Economics and Marketing. The Agricultural Development and Marketing division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) located at the FIC provides local, national, and international marketing access and development. Clients of FIC include producers, processors, marketers, and entrepreneurs. learn more

Hacienda Community Development Corporation
Hacienda CDC provides individualized technical assistance and training related to basic business skills, financial literacy, and licensing requirements. learn more

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce offers individual and small group business technical assistance and mentorship to entrepreneurs and business owners. learn more

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization
The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization provides technical assistance and training related to basic business skills, financial literacy and tax preparation for immigrants and refugees. learn more

Mercy Corps Northwest
Mercy Corps Northwest offers a range of services to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The business people we serve in Oregon and Washington are working hard toward their dream. They have the potential for success. But they lack the assets or bank credit needed to build their businesses. We serve these needs…and more, helping them help themselves to a better life. learn more

Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Partnership
The Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Partnership is a business support and training program for historically underutilized viable construction businesses (HUCBs) with a heavy emphasis on minority businesses. Our goal is to assist these viable minority businesses improve their business and management systems to improve their profitability and net worth. learn more

Metropolitan Family Service

Metropolitan Family Service provides credit coaching services for businesses to improve their economic condition. Services include credit repair, financial literacy, financial planning and budget development. learn more

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon seeks to broaden economic opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs by providing business support to increase growth in income, assets, and business skills. MESO’s uniqueness in business development is based on customizing support for the needs of the business. One of MESO’s core beliefs is the building of a strong foundation that will stabilize and grow businesses to become successful. learn more

Native American Youth & Family Center
The Native American Youth & Family Center provides technical assistance and training related to basic business skills, financial literacy, savings strategies and tax preparation, with a focus on Native-owned businesses. learn more

Neighborhood House Child Care Improvement Project  
The Child Care Improvement Project is an innovative program that helps family child care providers enhance the quality of their programs and supports their professional development. CCIP accomplishes this by operating community-based networks for family (or in-home) child care providers, offering training and resources that both improve the quality of child care and increase the financial viability of the child care businesses. learn more

Office of Film and Video
The Office of Film and Video works with filmmakers, still photographers, representatives from city bureaus and other agencies to assist the production in having a successful experience and ensure city requirements and community needs are met. learn more

Oregon Manufacturing Extension Project
OMEP consultants provide lean enterprise training and implementation assistance to a wide variety of industry sectors with the aim of making Oregon companies more competitive. Prosper Portland partners with OMEP by providing 50% of the cost of lean/efficiency improvement consultations for Portland manufacturers. learn more

Portland State University Business Accelerator
The mission of the Portland State Business Accelerator is to incubate and accelerate start-up technology and science companies while creating a living laboratory for the University community. The Portland State Business Accelerator is part of a larger effort by Portland State University to promote and support industry collaborations that foster economic development for our state in key industries, with a focus on the industry clusters of Green Tech & Sustainability, IT & Software, and Biotech/Bioscience. learn more

Portland State University Business Outreach Program
The Business Outreach Program at Portland State University provides technical assistance and business consulting services to locally owned, small businesses. The Business Outreach Program’s mission is to help small businesses, including emerging, minority and women-owned businesses, achieve their potential while providing students with opportunities for community-based learning. learn more

SCORE
SCORE is a national, non-profit organization that began in 1964 and now has over 10,500 members in 389 chapters. SCORE is a group of working and retired business executives who volunteer time to assist people in starting-up new businesses or to provide business advice and counsel for existing businesses. SCORE Portland has over 80 such volunteers to counsel and mentor on a wide range of business issues. learn more

Small Business Development Center
The Portland Small Business Development Center services are available to anyone who owns or operates— or is considering starting— a small business in Portland. Portland’s SBDC office is affiliated with Portland Community College and can provide help with management counseling, hosts workshops and seminars, and has resource materials to help businesses of all sizes and industry. learn more

Small Business Legal Clinic
Lewis & Clark Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic provides business transactional legal advice to new and emerging businesses, primarily those owned by women, minorities, and recent immigrants. The SBLC works closely with other small business service providers to help complete the circle of support to new and emerging businesses. Together, the SBLC and small business centers provide the support businesses need to succeed. learn more

Small Business Resources (Expertise.com)
Informative articles and how-to-guides for improving your small business web presence. learn more

Bureau of Development Services- devTeam Portland
devTeam Portland is a group of bureau employees known as Development Liaisons who are committed to helping customers navigate the City permitting and construction process. learn more

Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon is dedicated to promoting renewable energy and efficiency. It provides technical assistance and cash incentives to small businesses for energy-efficient upgrades to existing facilities, commercial new construction and major renovations, and production/industrial efficiency projects. learn more

Portland’s Green Tenant Improvement Guide
Portland’s Green Tenant Improvement Guide offers practical ideas and strategies for new space that will help save energy, improve comfort, minimize waste and reduce your carbon footprint. By creating a more sustainable workspace, your business or organization is demonstrating its leadership and commitment to best practices and responsible citizenship. Your actions will help the City of Portland reach our ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050, as described in the 2009 Climate Action Plan. learn more

Clean Energy Works Oregon
This program provides free home energy assessments and low-cost financing for energy efficiency upgrades. The program is available city-wide, with extra funding & marketing in the Interstate and Lents URAs. learn more

Green Building Hotline & Resource Center
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability offers a list of green building tools, including resources for making business operations greener, networking partners, marketing resources, and start-up assistance. learn more

Portland Brownfield Program
The Portland Brownfield Program helps transform brownfields into vibrant working space for the City of Portland. We can provide technical and financial support to property owners, developers, and community members when contamination is a concern. learn more

Recycle at Work
Sponsored by Metro, the Recycle at Work program provides free, customized assistance to all types of businesses throughout the Portland metropolitan area. It’s an easy way to make a difference. learn more

Solar Now Oregon
Solar Now! is a collaboration between Solar Oregon, Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon, and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to promote solar energy installation. Collaboration of state and federal tax credits, in addition to Energy Trust incentives and low-interest financing through Umpqua Bank provides small businesses up to 85% of project costs for eligible projects. learn more

Sustainable Business Assistance Gain Green Program
The Sustainable Business Assistance Green Gain program provides matching grants up to $15,000 from Prosper Portland and technical assistance from the Zero Waste Alliance. Targeted funds are available in all areas of Portland. learn more

Sustainable Stormwater Program
Stormwater management systems that mimic nature by integrating stormwater into building and site development can reduce the damaging effects of urbanization on rivers and streams. Disconnecting the flow from storm sewers and directing runoff to natural systems like landscaped planters, swales and rain gardens or implementing an ecoroof reduces and filters stormwater runoff. learn more

Portland Community College CLIMB Program
CLIMB stands for Continuous Learning for Individuals, Management and Business. CLIMB offers professional education of every kind to everyone from front-line workers to senior managers. The CLIMB Center for Advancement provides quality, affordable training and development to support for professional and business success. As part of Portland Community College, CLIMB provides access to a broad range of training areas, facilities that meet the latest in industry standards and the technical capabilities you’d expect from the largest college in Oregon. learn more

Work Source Oregon
WorkSource Oregon is a statewide network that will stimulate job growth by connecting businesses and workers with the resources they need to succeed. WorkSource Oregon is a network of public and private partners working together for businesses and workers to: Ensure businesses have a ready supply of trained workers whose skills and talents are aligned with the expectations and needs of business and industry; connect businesses with the resources they need to grow their workforce and their business; and provide the resources to help Oregon’s unemployed and underemployed get connected with the employers that are right for them, find the jobs they’re looking for and get trained for jobs they want. learn more

Worksystems Inc.
Worksystems, Inc. (WSI) is a nonprofit organization serving the City of Portland, Multnomah and Washington counties. The mission of the organization is to coordinate a regional workforce system that supports individual prosperity and business competitiveness. learn more

Choose Local Portland
For every dollar spent with a locally owned business seventy-percent of that dollar goes back into the local economy. When you spend a dollar at an out-of-state owned company over sixty-percent leaves the state. The more money that stays here, the better off we all are. When you show the Choose Local card you are stating that you support locally owned businesses. These businesses appreciate your support by providing you an instant benefit of reduced prices, or free upgrades, or some other offer. learn more

Supportland
Rewards program card aimed at connecting local shoppers with local businesses in Portland. Supportland has taken the consumer-based technology used by large corporations and transformed it into a usable network for Portland businesses. learn more

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