News at Greater Portland Inc

ADI Expands Oregon Semiconductor Workforce with a People-first Vision for the Future

Monday, January 06, 2025

Download and Read a PDF of the Story Here. ©2024 Analog Devices, Inc.Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a global semiconductor leader, is making an exciting stride to contribute to the talent hub in Beaverton, Oregon, emphasizing the company's commitment to strengthening the regional workforce and supporting the broader U.S. technology sector. “We’re committed to building the talent that will drive the productivity of our new facilities,” said José García, Managing Director of Wafer Fab Sustainability and Autonomous Enterprise. “Having the right skilled workforce is essential for turning our cutting-edge fabs into thriving hubs of innovation.” Beaverton: A Thriving Tech Ecosystem ©2024 Analog Devices, Inc.Beaverton...

Claiborne Shares New Playbook to Attract Business

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

photo by Sharon ThomasRemarks of Greater Portland Inc President and CEO Monique ClaiborneGreater Portland Economic SummitSeptember 24, 2024If you know me, you know I love sports. The thrill of competition, the drive to excel, the relentless pursuit of victory—these are all things that resonate deeply with me. And I see it all around me. I see it when our region’s companies go head-to-head to recruit top talent. I see it when they innovate, pushing boundaries to stay ahead of competitors.And I see it when our region’s stakeholders strategize and collaborate to ensure that Greater Portland is not just in the...

Claiborne Urges legislature to invest in marketing Oregon open for business (The Oregonian)

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

As the 2024 Oregon short legislative session opened, local mayors and Greater Portland Inc CEO Monique Claiborne spoke to the Oregonian about the importance of investing in marketing Oregon to be sure companies can be best attracted to the region. Greater Portland Inc, as part of its support for improving the region and turning recommendations from Gov. Kotek’s Central City Task Force into law, is urging the state to dedicate at least $5M to market the Portland image to those outside the state. “It signals from the top to the bottom that we value what’s here and we want other folks to...

GPI’s “Meet the Mayors” showcases government, business partnership (Fox 12)

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Mayor Travis Stovall of Gresham and Mayor Jaimie Fender of King City at 2024 Meet the MayorsFox 12 covered Greater Portland Inc’s “Meet the Mayors” event in January, including interviews with Mayor Lacy Beaty of Beaverton, Mayor Joe Buck of Lake Oswego, and Mayor Travis Stovall of Gresham. The story, from reporter Drew Marine, touched on how GPI’s work in partnership with state and federal government helped draw some of the first Chips Act dollars to Microchip in Gresham. “Part of the reason why we were able to attract those dollars here to Gresham at the federal level was the fact that...

Greater Portland Inc announces QPO's Expansion in Tualatin, Oregon

Thursday, September 14, 2023

The following is an interview conducted by Monique Claiborne, President & CEO, GPI which appeared in Yahoo Finance and PRNewswire. The renewable energy storage system company, QPO, made a deliberate decision to choose Oregon, a move that underscores the state's flourishing business environment, strategic benefits, and exceptional quality of life.With 98% of the lithium-ion battery market currently concentrated in China, QPO's move takes on even greater significance. Bolstered by capital injections from private investment firm, J. Lu Investments Q, Cheng Pin Investment, incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and support from Yulon Group, the largest Taiwanese OEM, QPO is poised...

Northwest Silicon Forest making moves to add to West Coast semiconductor ecosystem

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Article by GPI President and CEO, Monique Claiborne, and featured in Fierce Electronics. As communities across the United States face a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure federal CHIPS Act funds for the expansion and relocation of semiconductor operations, Oregon has made major state law changes to jump to the front of the line. The Portland metro area already hosts Intel’s global R&D operations and a clustering of 200- and 300-mm wafer fabs supported by a vast network of suppliers.Known as the Silicon Forest, the Portland region is uniquely positioned to attract semiconductor R&D investment in the years ahead due to its legacy...

Oregon chip industry supplier will quadruple its space with new Sherwood factory

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

A Tigard company that supplies gas and chemical equipment to Oregon semiconductor manufacturers plans to quadruple its factory footprint this year by moving to a new site in Sherwood. The company, NSI, is moving from two buildings with a combined 15,000 square feet of manufacturing to a newly built, 62,000-square foot plant. NSI said the new site will “dramatically increase” its production and enable it to meet rapidly increasing demand. The company described the expansion as a “multiple million-dollar investment.” Read the full article from The Oregonian. GPI was proud to support our partners...

Q1 Greater Portland Market Insights Report Now Available

Monday, April 18, 2022

Greater Portland Inc is proud to present its Q1 Greater Portland Market Insights Report, featuring bi-state regional data on employment, business expansions and industrial and office activity. As the only public-private organization dedicated to recruiting businesses to the entire region, the GPI team is constantly seeking out key community, economic and real estate data. We want to share our research and insights to ensure our partners are informed about market conditions, trends and activity impacting our economy and our region's ability to grow, attract and retain quality jobs and businesses. Our Q1 report was unveiled at our March 30...

Viewpoint: Why Oregon Should Be Concerned About Intel's Ohio Expansion

Thursday, January 27, 2022

By Monique Claiborne, President & CEO, Greater Portland Inc This op-ed appeared in the Portland Business Journal. In the last six months, Intel has announced two $20 billion expansions: One at an existing Arizona complex, and one in Ohio, which did not have an existing chip manufacturing presence. If we weren’t concerned before, we should be now. Oregon is the heart of Intel’s research and development operation (for now), but there are lessons to be learned from Ohio’s recent success. If we still want to claim the semiconductor space as a competitive key industry, we must act urgently...

New Amazon Sort Center in Canby to Employ Over 500

Friday, September 17, 2021

AMAZON ANNOUNCES PLANS TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN CANBY OREGON WITH NEW SORT CENTER New Amazon facility will create more than 500 jobs in the Canby region with an average starting wage of $18 per hour, comprehensive benefits, and longer-term career opportunities for local residents Amazon announced today it will open a new sort center in 2023 in the City of Canby. More than 500 new employees will help sort and ship packages at the 517,000 square-foot facility for final delivery to customers. “I look toward a future of building a relationship with Amazon – just as I...

Wilsonville Adopts First WIN Zone to Support Twist Bioscience's $70M Investment

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

City of Wilsonville NEWS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseAugust 17, 2021 CONTACT: Bill Evans, Communications and Marketing Manager 503-570-1502; evans@ci.wilsonville.or.usCity Council Adopts First WIN Zone to Support Twist Bioscience’s $70 Million Capital Investment in WilsonvilleWILSONVILLE, Ore. — At the August 16, 2021, meeting of the Wilsonville City Council, the Council approved the adoption of the Twist Bioscience Wilsonville Investment Now (WIN) Zone, a new 4.4-acre site-specific Urban Renewal Area at the Parkway Industry Center (26600 SW Parkway Dr.). This economic development agreement, the first established under WIN administrative rules adopted last year, provides property-tax rebates to incentivize new capital investment and family-wage jobs...

Twist BioScience Doubles Wilsonville Lease, Qualifies for New Tax Incentive Program

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Twist Bioscience has doubled down on its investment in Greater Portland, exercising its right of first refusal to nearly double its "Factory of the Future" in Wilsonville from 110,000 square feet to 190,000 square feet. The facility, at ParkWorks Industry Center on Southwest Parkway Avenue, will house as many as 400 bioscience workers. The new office is slated to become operational in 2022. Twist, based in San Francisco, is a synthetic biology and genomics company whose proprietary technology enables it to manufacture synthetic DNA by “writing” the DNA on a silicon chip. The larger facility will support Twist's rapid...

High-Tech Apparel Firm Oros Secures Federal Funding, Expands in Portland

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Portland-based outwear company OROS is expanding its operations after securing federal funding in the budget passed by Congress earlier this year. OROS uses NASA technology to create technical apparel that can withstand extreme temperatures. The defense research & development funding will enable the U.S. military to hire the firm to create next-generation protective apparel for soldiers. Greater Portland Inc assisted OROS in securing the federal funding, which will allow the firm to hire more scientists, researchers and designers in Portland to perform the cutting-edge research and development required of a federal contractor. The company relocated its headquarters from Cincinnati...

Microsoft Joins Apple, Intel in Grater Portland's Semiconductor Sector

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Microsoft just made a key investment in Greater Portland: Its new office in Hillsboro will be its regional engineering hub. "Microsoft is the latest tech giant to expand in the Portland area and tap the semiconductor and hardware talent pool that has grown around Intel's massive presence," the Portland Business Journal reported. "Apple Inc., which is now developing its own chips, recently leased space in Portland's Central Eastside Industrial District." Microsoft Engineer Selim Bilgin, who spent more than 20 years at Intel and was most recently vice president and general manager for Intel validation engineering, will lead the...

Twist Bioscience's 'Factory of the Future' in Wilsonville to Add 400 Jobs

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Greater Portland Inc is excited to announce that Twist Bioscience is building a “Factory of the Future” in Wilsonville, adding as many as 400 jobs to Greater Portland. This marks GPI’s largest business recruitment project to date, in terms of jobs, and it shows that the region remains an attractive investment even in the midst of a global pandemic. Twist, based in San Francisco, is a synthetic biology and genomics company whose proprietary technology enables it to manufacture synthetic DNA by “writing” the DNA on a silicon chip. Applications of this unique technology include synthetic genes, tools for next-generation...

Greater Portland Ranked No. 1 Best Place to Live on the West Coast

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Greater Portland is the best place to live on the West Coast, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report. To compile the annual list, U.S. News analyzed the 150 most populous metro areas and ranked them according to value, desirability, job market and quality of life. Greater Portland scored high in all of these categories, and nabbed a near-perfect desirability score. That score, calculated from a survey of 3,000 people across the U.S. conducted in August 2020, shows that the Portland area remains a very attractive place to live. Overall, the report ranked Greater Portland...

Beaverton Healthcare Startup GrowthPlug Wins TiE50 Award for Rapid Growth

Wednesday, September 09, 2020

GrowthPlug, an SaaS startup accelerating patient growth and automating front desk operations for healthcare practices, on Tuesday announced that it had been selected as a 2020 TiE50 Winner in the prestigious TiE50 Awards Program. The awards competition is a program of TiEcon, the world's largest conference for tech entrepreneurs. According to its announcement, GrowthPlug was recognized for its rapid growth, and "is witnessing tremendous customer interest during these uncertain times as healthcare practices are exploring new ways to operate and connect with their patient base." GrowthPlug says hundreds of healthcare practices across the US use its platform to manage...

Intel Unveils Powerful New Chip Made in Greater Portland's Silicon Forest

Thursday, September 03, 2020

Intel on Wednesday unveiled its newest processor, dubbed Tiger Lake. The new chip, made specifically for laptops and PCs, enables higher performance and better power management. The microprocessor was made right here in Greater Portland, maintaining our region's reputation as a world leader in the semiconductor industry. According to The Oregonian, "Intel crafted Tiger Lake at its Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro (10 miles west of Portland) and the first chips are already coming off the line at the company’s Ronler Acres factory complex nearby. More than 1,000 Oregon employees worked to develop the chip since 2016, an especially...

GPEDD Awarded $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2020 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 GPEDD awarded $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant The EDA funds will be used to support a recovery plan for the region. PORTLAND, Ore. – Greater Portland Economic Development District (GPEDD) is pleased to announce that it has received a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). GPEDD is housed within Greater Portland Inc, the regional economic development organization. GPEDD was among economic development districts throughout...

Portland Pet Food Company Goes Global Through Deal With Japanese Retailer

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Kate McCarron, founder of Portland Pet Food Company, is a recipient of GPI's Growing Small Businesses Globally export assistance scholarships. McCarron was recently featured in the Portland Business Journal, excerpted below. Portland Pet Food Company announced last month that it plans to sell its natural, human-grade dog meals and treats in natural food and speciality pet stores in Japan. “This is a huge next step for our company, and we are so thrilled to now be selling our products internationally,” Kate McCarron, founder of Portland Pet Food Company said in a press release. “As shopping habits continue to...

GPI Featured by Brookings as Leader in Regional Economic Development

Friday, February 14, 2020

Greater Portland Inc was featured in a Brookings Metro piece on the importance of regional collaboration in attracting foreign direct investment. The article emphasizes a key point: scale matters in global competitiveness efforts, and a region carries a lot more weight than a single city. "Investors rarely pay attention to city borders," the piece says. "Global competition should incentivize a region’s stakeholders to work together and project a common identity to the outside business community." Brookings highlights Greater Portland Inc and our work with our partners as an example of successful regional collaboration: "Economic development organizations oftentimes establish...

GPI Hosts Deloitte Site Selectors – Key Takeaways

Thursday, October 23, 2025

This month, Greater Portland Inc hosted Deloitte Consulting’s Global Location Strategy team, whose members advise Fortune 500 companies on where to expand and invest.Over three days, Deloitte’s 15-person team explored the region, from Adidas North America and Analog Devices to the Columbia River Gorge, meeting employers, workers, and civic leaders to assess Greater Portland’s readiness for growth.Their visit culminated in a Portland Business Journal feature, “Deloitte site selection team finds lots to like on Portland visit,” where Principal Darin Beulow shared that the region has “really good bones” and “a lot going for it”— diverse industries, talent, creativity, and an...

Greater Portland Inc. hosts South Korean startups in hopes of getting ground floor expansions

Wednesday, September 03, 2025

I’m proud to share that Greater Portland Inc (GPI) successfully positioned Portland as the U.S. entry point for a cohort of ten Korean cleantech startups. The delegation will visit our region September 2–5 to explore GPI’s Soft-Land Program, with the goal of evaluating Portland as a base for their U.S. expansion.This four-day program—organized in partnership with the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (GCCEI)—marks the first of its kind. It’s a bold step in positioning Portland as a gateway for international clean energy investment.The delegation, based at CENTRL Office, will:Connect with Oregon’s investment community through an Investor Roundtable &...

Oregon, Washington Go Big on Workforce Development

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

Oregon, Washington Go Big on Workforce DevelopmentCompanies looking for regions where the workforce is growing have new reasons to consider the Pacific Northwest, as both Oregon and Washington have made significant investments in expanding the regional talent pool in recent years.In OregonFuture Ready Oregon (FRO), a once-in-a-generation $200 million investment approved in 2022, was designed to address economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and support high-demand industries, including healthcare, IT, advanced manufacturing, and construction. The program has accelerated training expansion, enabling faster access to career coaching, scholarships, and work-based learning opportunities. Workforce Development Boards, including Worksystems and Clackamas Workforce...

Greater Portland Inc Celebrates SVI Electronics’ Expansion into the Pacific Northwest with Major Economic Impacts

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 21, 2025Greater Portland Inc Celebrates SVI Electronics’ Expansion into the Pacific Northwest with Major Economic ImpactsPortland, OR – Greater Portland Inc proudly announces the expansion of SVI Electronics, a Thailand-based leader in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), to Vancouver, Washington, marking the company’s first U.S. manufacturing presence. This strategic move underscores the Greater Portland region’s position as a global hub for innovation, economic opportunity, and world-class talent.SVI Electronics will occupy 46,946 square feet at the Vancouver Innovation Center and initially employ 100 team members, with plans to grow to more than 200 jobs in later phases. The company’s...

Progressive Oregon has a new Business-Friendly Posture

Thursday, April 11, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore., April 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed into law a raft of new legislation in recent days that shows Oregon squarely positioning the greater Portland area for a historic economic comeback.While the legislative action to end Oregon's legalization of hard drugs has grabbed the most national headlines, the governor's signature on bills to expand the state's semiconductor workforce, further industrial land readiness, and invest in sports all show a state government leaning heavily into economic development."Corporations seek fresh industrial land, high-value talent, and a high quality of life, and the governor's actions this year, including ending...

Greater Portland Inc's planned marketing campaign featured in Portland Business Journal

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Portland Business Journal reporter Malia Spencer interviewed Greater Portland Inc President & CEO Monique Claiborne as part of the paper's Advancing Portland series. GPI is launching a large-scale marketing campaign to recruit more businesses to the region and grow our economy. If you'd like to learn more about our campaign or would like to get involved, please contact Jocelyn Sanchez, GPI's Senior Manager of Stakeholder Relations.Here is the article as it appeared in the Portland Business Journal:This story is part of Advancing Portland, a series rooted in data collected from a Business Journal subscriber survey conducted in late January. Survey...

GPI CEO Monique Claiborne wins national 40 Under 40 in Economic Development award

Thursday, February 02, 2023

Monique Claiborne, President & CEO of Greater Portland Inc, has been awarded the 2023 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, a national award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry. The awards program is hosted by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a New York-based integrated marketing firm that works with economic development and travel organizations around the globe, and Jorgenson Consulting, a leading national executive search firm serving organizations in non-profit, economic, and community development industries. An independent selection committee of six economic development leaders and site selection consultants evaluated nominations based on demonstration of...

Meet the Greater Portland Inc Team

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

By Greater Portland Inc. Get to know the Greater Portland Inc team through a few of our favorite things. You can find staff contact information here. Brittany Bagent, VP of Strategy Tenure 2 years Hometown Cincinnati, Ohio Favorite Local Attraction Silver Falls State Park Favorite Local Restaurant La Moule If you could invite any three people to a dinner party, who would they be? Stephen Colbert, President Obama, and my (late) grandmother What are your favorite hobbies? Running, yoga, hiking, cooking, exploring the region with my family What’s your...

Five-year Economic Strategy Charts New Course for Greater Portland Region

Tuesday, November 09, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 9, 2021 Media Contacts Greater Portland Inc Anna Marum anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 Metro Constantino Khalaf constantino.khalaf@oregonmetro.gov 503-545-6450 Five-year economic strategy charts new course for Greater Portland region The strategy from Greater Portland Inc and Metro identifies 44 action items to drive equitable growth. Public- and private-sector leaders are invited to review the actions and partner with a lead organization to support an action that complements their mission. Portland, Ore. – Greater Portland Inc and Metro are proud to present the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Greater Portland region. The strategy...

Port of Portland Expands Container Service

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

For Immediate Release • September 7, 2021 Susie Rantz • 503.415.6054 • susie.rantz@portofportland.com Port of Portland Welcomes New Marine Service to Terminal 6 Regional businesses and consumers will have more options to move products following pandemic supply chain issues A year and a half after weekly container service returned to the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6 – thanks to South Korea-based carrier SM Line – more container service is coming to help address critical supply chain issues for local businesses, farmers and growers, and consumers. The new business at Terminal 6 includes: An...

Meet Our Summit Keynote: Kofi Bonner, CEO of Detroit VC Firm Bedrock

Thursday, September 02, 2021

By Bedrock and Greater Portland Inc Kofi Bonner is the Chief Executive Officer at Bedrock, where he leads the full-service real estate company’s efforts to build thriving urban centers through transformational development, community partnerships and a commitment to support local small businesses. Kofi will be the keynote speaker at our Greater Portland Economic Summit, held virtually and in-person Sept. 30. Get your tickets here. Since its founding, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties, including some of the most significant new developments...

GPI is Hiring: Business Development Representative

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Join our team! Greater Portland Inc is hiring a full-time Business Development Representative to serve as a key team member to assist in attracting traded-sector companies to the Greater Portland region. Business Development Representative Department: Business Development Reports to: VP of Business Development FLSA Status: Exempt Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 Physical Strength: Light (L) Position summary The Business Development Representative serves as a key team member who assists with attracting traded sector companies to the Greater Portland region. You will support a broad spectrum of activities to promote quality job growth and...

Workforce Development is Crucial to Economic Health

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

This blog post originally appeared on Clackamas Workforce Partnership's website. May 9-15 is Economic Development Week – an opportunity to take a moment to highlight local programs that create jobs, advance career opportunities, and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere. Especially now, as our region works together to help businesses and workers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s wildfires, it more important than ever to highlight the close connection between economic development and workforce development. Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is a regional economic development partnership that provides support and services to companies seeking to...

GPI is Hiring: Engagement & Events Coordinator

Friday, April 23, 2021

Come join our team! Greater Portland Inc is hiring a full-time Engagement and Events Coordinator to provide value to our investors, convene our partners around relevant issues and elevate the GPI brand. ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Reports to: Marketing and Communications Manager FSLA Status: Exempt Location: Remote/Portland Salary Range: $45,000-$50,000 DOE About Greater Portland Inc (GPI) We’re the region’s economic development organization working to attract new jobs and investment to the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Our team is small but mighty, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork and entrepreneurial drive. We are...

7 Proof Points For Greater Portland's Emerging Bioscience Sector

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

By Anna Marum Greater Portland's bioscience sector is booming. Genentech has expanded its operations here twice, and startups like AbSci and Twist Bioscience are growing quickly, thanks in part to large infusions of cash. Here's what local executives and industry experts had to say about the region's thriving bioscience cluster in our latest industry tour. On talent: "We've expanded in the region twice. And the reason for that is access to talent, whether it be attracting talent from our organization down in the Bay Area or from other parts around the country. Portland's a place that people want...

Portland is a "Goldilocks Place" for Fintech Startups, Says Sila Money CEO Shamir Karkal

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Greater Portland is poised to be the next big hub for financial tech companies. During a Jan. 27 virtual industry tour, co-hosted by Greater Portland Inc and SelectUSA, local fintech CEOs and industry experts shared the many advantages of starting, moving and growing a business in Greater Portland: We've got talent: "You have a confluence of executive talent alongside still having this amazing technology expertise.” - David Nelsen, Bumped CEO Money goes further here: "With the cost of living and the cost of doing business, it’s more economical. We don’t have to raise as much capital as if...

Monique Claiborne Selected to Lead Greater Portland Inc

Wednesday, February 03, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 3, 2021 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc 971-339-2012 anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com Monique Claiborne selected to lead Greater Portland Inc With international expertise and experience in business recruitment, government and finance, Claiborne is uniquely qualified to helm the regional economic development organization. PORTLAND, Ore. – The Greater Portland Inc (GPI) board of directors has named Monique Claiborne as the organization’s new president and CEO. Claiborne will oversee the nonprofit public-private partnership, which advances regional economic development through job growth and investment in the seven-county, bi-state region. “Monique’s...

We're Hiring: Economic Recovery Coordinator (Part-Time)

Saturday, December 19, 2020

The Greater Portland Economic Development District, Greater Portland Inc's sister organization, is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as a part-time Economic Recovery Coordinator. This is an exciting new position created to support the implementation of the recently adopted Greater Portland Economic Recovery Plan. Position details and application instructions are available here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the first evaluation on Friday, January 15, 2021. This position is open until filled.

GPEDD, Metro Unveil Greater Portland Economic Recovery Plan

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Conacts Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc 971-339-2012 anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com Constantino Khalaaf Metro 503-545-6450 constantino.khalaf@oregonmetro.gov GPEDD, Metro unveil Greater Portland Economic Recovery Plan The plan defines 47 responsive actions to support the region’s individuals and businesses most impacted by the pandemic-induced recession and initiate a robust equitable recovery. PORTLAND, Ore. – The Greater Portland Economic Development District (GPEDD) and Metro have released the Greater Portland Economic Recovery Plan to guide the region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan applies to...

GPI Offers Manufacturing Consulting Grants

Monday, November 09, 2020

Greater Portland Inc is pleased to offer grants to local manufacturing firms in the form of consulting services to help those negatively affected by COVID-19 and related closures. These consulting services will be provided by Impact Washington and the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP). This grant is made possible by funding from the Oregon Community Foundation. Learn more and apply here.

Hillsboro: Blazing a Trail to a Bright Economic Future

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Hillsboro has long been an economic engine of Greater Portland and its growth shows no signs of slowing. The city of 103,000, located just west of Portland, is home to Oregon’s largest private employer, Intel, and is the heart of the Silicon Forest. Intel employs over 20,000 in Hillsboro at its R&D headquarters. Hillsboro has grown into a global hub for the following industries: Computers and electronics Biosciences and medical devices Communications, software, IT and data centers Advanced manufacturing Big-name Hillsboro employers include Genentech, Thermo Fisher, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Nvidia, Salesforce, NTT Global, ASML,...

Revolutionary Education Startup Verto Moves Headquarters to Portland

Friday, October 23, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 23, 2020 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 Education Startup Revolutionizing the First-year College Experience Moves HQ to Portland Verto Education is relocating its headquarters from the Bay Area to Greater Portland. PORTLAND, OR — Greater Portland Inc is pleased to announce that Verto Education, a unique “gap year without the gap” college program, is relocating its headquarters from Berkeley, California to Portland, Oregon. The fast-growing startup currently employs 20 Portland residents. Although working remotely in the midst of the pandemic, Verto’s new office...

Greater Portland Inc Seeking Next President and CEO

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Greater Portland Inc is seeking our next president & CEO. Learn about this vital regional role and apply here.

Portland Has 2nd Lowest COVID-19 Case Rate Among Major U.S. Cities

Tuesday, October 06, 2020

A recent study found that Portland has the second-lowest rate of COVID-19 cases per capita among the nation's 30 largest cities. The study, conducted by the Seattle mayor's office, compared coronavirus case rates for the country's 30 most populous cities. Portland, represented by Multnomah County data, came in second, behind only Seattle. Multnomah County has seen 8.9 infections per 1,000 people, just above Seattle's 7.4 cases per 1,000. While that data isn't strictly comparable, Multnomah County's case rate is lower than that of King County, where Seattle is located. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, Nashville, El Paso, Memphis and Phoenix...

South Korean Documentary Highlights Portland's Outdoors, Apparel Industry

Monday, October 05, 2020

Portland was the subject of a recent documentary produced by Seoul Broadcasting System, which aired on South Korean public TV. The video features an interview with Shawn Kim, deputy director of the Port of Portland's Korea Representative Office. The piece showcases the Greater Portland region's accessible outdoors, powerhouse footwear & athletic apparel industry and bike-friendly streets. Greater Portland has seen recent investments by several South Korean companies, including high-tech outdoor apparel company Black Yak. The forests, rivers, mountains and beaches located within an hour of Portland continue to draw athletic apparel firms...

Pandemic Migration Patterns: Greater Portland Top Choice for Bay Area Residents

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

That claim that people are fleeing all urban areas in droves? Not true, according to available data. But more people ARE leaving the country's most expensive cities, San Francisco and New York. Where are they going? Not rural areas, but smaller metros, including Greater Portland. A recent Bloomberg article examines multiple data sources to better understand where people are moving. It found that there is little support for the claimes that people are fleeing cities on a large scale. In fact, available data shows that fewer people moved between March and June. However, America's largest, densest, most expensive...

GPI Board Selects Firm to Conduct CEO Search

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2020 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc 971-339-2012 aana.marum@greaterportlandinc.com GPI board selects firm to conduct CEO search Tigard-based Motus Recruiting will conduct the national search. PORTLAND, Ore. – The search committee from the Greater Portland Inc (GPI) board of directors has selected an executive recruiting firm to conduct a national search for GPI’s next president and CEO. After interviewing four firms, the board committee selected Tigard-based Motus Recruiting. GPI’s new CEO will oversee the nonprofit public-private partnership, which advances regional economic development through job...

Greater Portland Economy Forecast to Recover Quickly

Wednesday, September 02, 2020

Where should companies invest now? According to a CBRE analysis of an Oxford Economics report, some metro areas will recover more quickly than others from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Fueled by recent tech industry expansions and a manufacturing industry anchored by prominent semiconductor companies such as Intel, Greater Portland is forecast to be one of the fastest markets to rebound in the coming years. (See Greater Portland's top employers here.) The analysis shows the region's GDP growing 5.6% in 2021 and 2022, beating the forecast growth for the national GDP. Interested in expanding or relocating...

Business Tribune Column: GPI Leading the Way in Regional Recovery Planning

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. These last several months have been unlike any others in our collective memory as a region, nation or world. As of mid-July, the novel coronavirus had infected more than 7,000 in our seven-county, bi-state region. It has killed more than 160. Due to the pandemic and widespread closures that helped slow the spread of the virus, we now face the worst recession since the Great Depression. According to the latest data available from employment...

Two GPI Scholarship Recipients Featured in Press

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Two business owners who received export assistance scholarships from Greater Portland Inc have been featured in local publications. The Growing Small Businesses Globally scholarships provide access to one-on-one training sessions with export advisors, as well as a stipend for internationally focused sales activities. GPI announced the fourth round of scholarship recipients in June, knowing that these scholarships come at a crucial time for small business owners. Mike Seely, a third-generation mint farmer who operates the sprawling Seely Family Farm in Clatskanie with his wife Candy, was featured in the Columbia County Spotlight. Seely already exports to Canada, but said...

GPI Awards Export Assistance Scholarships to 14 Local Entrepreneurs

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2020 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 GPI awards export assistance scholarships to 14 local entrepreneurs The local business owners may use the funds for international export-related sales activities. PORTLAND, Ore. – Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is pleased to announce recipients for its fourth round of Growing Small Businesses Globally export assistance scholarships, which aim to support entrepreneurs who are women, people of color and veterans. The scholarships provide access to valuable training sessions with seasoned export advisors, as well as...

Business Tribune Column: Intense Change Comes With Opportunity For Our Region

Monday, June 22, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. We are in a period of intense change: Our region, along with the rest of the country, is experiencing the worst recession since the Great Depression due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. And in the wake of the most recent deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police officers, Greater Portlanders have joined protestors throughout the U.S. and the world demanding justice and reforms that address systemic racism and police brutality. At...

Business Tribune Column: Region Innovates in Crisis Response Efforts

Friday, May 15, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. This pandemic has been extremely challenging for our region. The human cost is sobering, and the economic impact is devastating. But responses by cities, companies and community members throughout Greater Portland are inspiring. Our region has stepped up with creative solutions to offer grants to small businesses, produce masks and sanitizer for front-line workers, and encourage residents to support local businesses. Greater Portland cities in particular acted quickly to stand up grant funds...

Economic Development Week: GPI Highlights Business Support Efforts, Creative Company Pivots

Monday, May 04, 2020

May 4-9 marks Economic Development Week, created by the International Economic Development Council to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere. Each day this week, GPI will highlight innovative responses to the economic crisis from around the region, including city-led relief efforts and creative pivots by companies. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to see how our region has responded, and check back here for daily updates. Monday: City-led efforts to support local businesses (grants and loans) Beaverton Established...

Business Tribune Column: Charting the Path to Regional Economic Recovery

Friday, April 17, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. By now, our region is settling into a sort of new normal in the midst of this pandemic. For some, this means working from home. For many, this means heading into essential jobs every day to keep critical functions operating. For the tens of thousands recently laid off, this means applying for unemployment benefits. For many employers, it means applying for any and all available grants, loans and other resources. It’s been nearly a...

Business Tribune Column: Regional Collaboration More Important Now Than Ever

Friday, March 20, 2020

This photo shows members of the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium at a 2019 meeting. This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. Greater Portland Inc is built on the knowledge that our region is stronger when we work together. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, this collaboration is more important than ever. With the help of our 90-plus partners, last week we published an online list of resources for local businesses affected by the outbreak. We were well positioned to create this resource because...

Greater Portland Inc Complies COVID-19 Business Resource List

Friday, March 13, 2020

With the help of our many public- and private-sector partners, Greater Portland has compiled a list of resources for businesses in the region affected by the coronavirus. We will be updating it as more resources become available. Regional collaboration is more important than ever in a time like this, and we're grateful to our many partners offering these resources. The list is available here.

Regional Report: Technology and Natural Resources Fuel Pacific States' Economies

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

The Greater Portland region was recently featured in an Area Development article highlighting the Pacific States. "The economies of the Pacific States — California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Hawaii — represent a diverse mix of industries. Nonetheless, the region has become closely associated with the country’s tech boom, while also helping to supply the world through its robust natural resources." The article goes on to highlight the area's large pool of skilled workers and locational advantages for international trade. It also addresses the high cost of living, though Greater Portland offers a lower cost of living than many of...

Business Tribune Column: GPI Export Program Empowers Local Entrepreneurs

Friday, February 21, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. Economic development is more than recruiting businesses from outside our region. It’s also about supporting the businesses that are already here, especially those just starting out. That’s why Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is excited to be offering its fourth round of Growing Small Businesses Globally export assistance scholarships. By connecting recipients with valuable training sessions and providing a stipend for internationally focused sales travel, these scholarships help entrepreneurs looking to expand their business to...

Greater Portland Economic Summit Fast Approaching

Wednesday, February 05, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 5, 2020 Media Contact Anna Marum Greater Portland Inc anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 Regional higher education leaders to highlight industry partnerships at the Greater Portland Economic Summit Tickets are still available for the Feb. 20 event, featuring global economic development expert Tracye McDaniel as keynote speaker PORTLAND, Ore. – Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is gearing up for its 2020 Greater Portland Economic Summit, which convenes nationally and regionally respected thought leaders for key conversations about what makes us successful as a region and where we can improve. Greater...

GPI Launches 4th Round of Export Assistance Scholarships for Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 22, 2020 Media Contact Ann Marum Greater Portland Inc anna.marum@greaterportlandinc.com 971-339-2012 GPI launches 4th round of export assistance scholarships for entrepreneurs 12 scholarships are available for Greater Portland business owners. PORTLAND, Ore. – Greater Portland Inc (GPI) is excited to announce its fourth round of Growing Small Businesses Globally export assistance scholarships for entrepreneurs looking to expand their business to international markets. GPI invites small business owners in the Greater Portland region – particularly women, people of color and veterans – to apply for one of...

3 Trends Driving Commercial Real Estate Demands in Greater Portland

Friday, January 17, 2020

This column appeared in the Business Tribune. Matt Miller, Greater Portland Inc's interim president and CEO, writes a monthly column for the local newspaper. We recruit companies of all sorts to our region. From advanced manufacturers like diamond-maker Element Six to financial tech startups like Coinbase, each company we recruit needs real estate. This is why we work closely with commercial real estate companies to help these companies find a home. According to recent data from JLL, our region’s commercial real estate costs for industrial and class A office are lower than those in other West Coast markets...

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