A community-driven approach to creating thriving commercial areas, successful neighborhood businesses and equitable access to quality jobs throughout Portland.
Contact: Tory Campbell, email or 503-823-3231
Guided by Prosper Portland’s Strategic Plan, our community work focuses on economic development, community outreach and business support to build public and private sector relationships that advance startup and small business opportunities and growth. We strive to be on the cutting edge of developing and implementing industry best practices that foster vibrant small businesses ecosystems throughout the city, with a focus increasing business know-how, access to capital, new markets, and mentorship for underserved entrepreneurs.
We identify and implement programs to support business growth and wealth creation in priority neighborhoods and among priority populations, by connecting individuals to business technical assistance providers, private and non-profit lenders and developing relationships with neighborhood-based anchor institutions to grow business opportunities.
The work builds on the five-year implementation of the Neighborhood Economic Development (NED) Strategy which articulated how community partners, business leadership and public partners could use focused neighborhood-level actions to collectively foster economic opportunity and neighborhood vitality throughout Portland
Programs and Resources
Given Portland’s key demographic and geographic challenges and areas of opportunity, our community economic development work focuses on communities of color and priority neighborhoods. A job creation and equity lens guides every action, investment, and program.
Prosper Portland currently offers an array of programs supporting community economic development:
Mercatus
An online platform that highlights entrepreneurs of color through storytelling and a comprehensive inventory.
Youth & Adult Workforce Partnerships
Prosper Portland's workforce partnerships create better access for Portlanders to connect to job training and opportunities.
Inclusive Business Resource Network
The Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN) is a citywide program that brings multiple services for small business into a single network for entrepreneurs.
Inclusive Startup Fund
The fund provides early-stage investment capital and mentoring to local high-growth companies founded by underrepresented groups across a variety of industries.
Prosperity Investment Program (PIP)
PIP Grants are awarded to support business competitiveness and/or property redevelopment in projects that meet social equity goals.
N/NE Community Development Initiative Action Plan
The Action Plan guides the investment of $32 million in the Interstate Corridor urban renewal area to align with strategic goals that benefit the community.
Community Economic Development
Prosper Portland takes a community-driven approach to creating thriving commercial areas, successful neighborhood businesses and equitable access to quality jobs throughout Portland.