Two new commissioners join Prosper Portland board
Prosper Portland is pleased to welcome Michi Slick and [...]
Data Directions: Retail Space Vacancy and Rental Costs
Like all major American cities, Portland saw many business closures in the retail industry with the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. We continue to see the effects of that shock on rent and vacancy statistics for commercial retail space.
Data Directions: Connect Portlanders to High-Quality Jobs in Future-Ready Sectors
The need for access to employment centers has driven Prosper Portland’s strategic investments in East Portland. In collaboration with other public partners, Prosper Portland has developed five-year action plans in two East Portland Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to determine priorities and investments in affordable housing, home repairs, community amenities, commercial spaces for local businesses, or other eligible projects.
Data Directions: Vibrant Central City
Continuing challenges due to the pandemic, perceptions of reduced public safety, and the increasing preference toward remote work have reduced the presence of employees and visitors in Portland's Central City.
Data Directions: Promote Equitable Wealth Creation
Staggering wealth inequality continues to be a significant challenge across the country. Multigenerational wealth created from property and business ownership drives much of this disparity; even gains in employment and income show little progress in erasing differences in wealth.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is recognized nationally as Asian American, Native Hawaiian [...]
Notice of Budget Committee Meetings
On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, the FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget will be presented to the Prosper Portland Budget Committee along with the Budget Message. The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m., followed by a public hearing where testimony will be taken on the Proposed Budget.
Opportunity for input on the city’s next economic development strategy
Advance Portland is a strategic framework and action plan [...]
Data Directions: Propel Inclusive Economic Growth & Innovation
Portland has many promising traded sector industry clusters, including Green Cities, Athletic & Outdoor, Metals & Machinery, and Food & Beverage Manufacturing. It also has cross-cutting functional clusters around headquarters, software and professional services that intersect with and support these key clusters. Together, these clusters offer major growth opportunities – some in established, growing industries (e.g., Athletic & Outdoor, Software), some more emergent (e.g., Green Cities innovations around grid modernization), and others in legacy industries with a strong employment base and lower barrier to entry positions (e.g. Metals & Machinery).
Data Directions: Income
While growth of higher wage, knowledge industry jobs is certainly a positive economic sign, we’re also seeing how growth in this “next economy” is contributing to the disappearance of the middle class, with a relatively flat level of growth in middle-wage employment opportunities. And when we divide Portlanders into five income quintiles, we see the stark impact of systemic racism and inequitable opportunities.