Reap the Benefits of Doing Business in Portland

Greater Portland is an ideal place to do business. Here, economic development resources span seven counties from the state of Oregon to Washington and provide local businesses with unmatched advantages.

Both large corporations and small businesses in Portland benefit from affordable energy rates, competitive real estate costs and an attractive tax climate. World-class infrastructure, including America’s Best Airport, facilitates seamless global connections. A steady pipeline of educated talent attracted to Portland’s Pacific Northwest lifestyle ensures open jobs are swiftly filled.

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Discover Your Portland Advantage

Top West Coast Market for Young Professionals

Attractive Tax Climate & Competitive Real Estate

Future Focused Industries

Globally Connected

Unmatched Livability

Top West Coast Market for Young Professionals

Greater Portland is one of the fastest-growing labor markets in the U.S. Within 100 miles of this metro area, you’ll find 66 universities, colleges, satellite campuses and community colleges, fulfilling a steady influx of highly educated and engaged young talent. In fact, 53% of Portlanders have at least a bachelor’s degree, which is 20% more than the national average, and the region ranks #7 in the U.S. for the number of residents with graduate degrees.

Specialized programming, such as Oregon State University’s two federally designated tech hubs and Portland Community College’s Career Pathways, ensure Portland’s workforce is well equipped with in-demand skills and the region’s business owners have their pick for staffing.

Learn more about Portland’s workforce and demographics.

Attractive Tax Climate & Competitive Real Estate

New businesses, entrepreneurs and established companies can extend the power of their dollar in the Portland metro area. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Greater Portland as the most affordable West Coast metro area for commercial real estate, with office space up to 43% cheaper per square foot compared to other major West Coast cities, such as Los Angeles, San Jose and San Francisco. Greater Portland communities, such as Hillsboro and Tualatin, also offer more affordable alternatives for housing than Portland’s Central City.

And it’s not just real estate. Doing business in Oregon also means affordable electricity. Rates for commercial real estate are around $0.09 per kilowatt hour, compared to $0.20 in California.

Visit our research center for more information on doing business in Greater Portland.

Future-Focused Key Industries

The second most future-focused city in the nation, Greater Portland’s key industries are driven by the community’s forward-thinking culture. Here, major employers, such as Nike, Intel and ZoomInfo, are developing the products of tomorrow today.

The region’s diverse spread of industry clusters ensures that expanding companies and startups alike can strategically position themselves

• Computers & Electronics

• Apparel & Outdoors

• Climate Tech

• Food & Beverage

• Software

• Metals & Machinery

• Design & Media

• Bioscience
   

Globally Connected

Shipping and exporting can be major hurdles, but Greater Portland is well-connected for global success. Oregon and Washinton have been accredited with the “nation’s top-ranked infrastructure,” according to the U.S. News & World Report. Easily access major highways like Interstate 5, 205 and 84. Transporting goods via railway is a breeze with the Union Pacific and BSNF Railroad. Shipping by sea is possible through the Port of Portland and the Port of Vancouver.

Access to global shipping solutions is easy, but what about connecting people? Portland International Airport is consistently ranked one of the best airports in the country. PDX has 18 airlines serving 73 non-stop destinations and more than 300 daily departures, so you can always get where you need to go.

Unmatched Livability

Doing business in Oregon ensures that you live and work in a place with an exceptional quality of life. Portland residents are spoiled for choice when it comes to amenities. With over 37,000 acres of parks and green spaces, outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for recreation, all within easy reach of downtown. And let's not forget the allure of the Pacific Coast and Cascade Mountains, just a short drive away.

But it's not just the great outdoors that makes Portland special. The city has been hailed as the #2 destination for food lovers and coffee aficionados alike. With an abundance of awarded restaurants and coffee shops in and around downtown Portland, the challenge is not finding a good one; it is picking your favorite.

Despite its many attractions, Portland remains surprisingly affordable compared to other metropolitan areas. And, of course, no vibrant community is complete without excellent healthcare. The City of Portland boasts top-tier healthcare providers and is a hub for cutting-edge medical research, thanks to institutions like the Oregon Health and Science University.

Learn More About Living in Greater Portland

Let's Start the Conversation

Is your company interested in relocating or expanding to Greater Portland? Connect with our team of business development and site selection experts today for no-cost, confidential assistance.