Business Oregon

08/31/2026

Calling all Native-owned and Native-serving businesses in the Pacific Northwest! 📣 A free, fully online, self-paced training program is being offered for those who want to further align their business practices to their native values by developing, refining, and implementing a sustainability program and sustainable procurement activities.

The group is preparing to launch their fourth cohort on September 14. Learn more about the program, here: https://www.pdx.edu/community-environmental-services/embedding-native-values-your-business-through-sustainability-and-sustainable-procurement-program

This project is a collaboration between Portland State University’s Community Environmental Services and Institute for Tribal Government with the Northwest Native Chamber and Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council.

08/31/2026

The Oregon Broadband Office is now under contract with Hood River Electric & Internet Co-Op (covering Hood River district grant area) for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program! 🎉

🔵534 homes will gain access to fiber internet
🟠Award amount of $3,049,804 in BEAD Funding will be invested
🟣Hood River Electric Co-Op will contribute $1,307,059 in matching funds
🟡Total project investment exceeds $4,356,863

08/28/2026

Business Oregon was honored to welcome Consul General Sung Gil Chang of the Republic of Korea to our Portland office and congratulate him on his new appointment as Consul General in Seattle.

Oregon and South Korea share strong and growing economic ties, and we appreciated the opportunity to discuss ways to deepen our partnership through trade, investment, innovation, and greater connections between Oregon and Korean businesses and institutions.

We warmly welcome Consul General Chang to the Pacific Northwest and look forward to working closely with him and his team at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle to build on this important relationship and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Pacific!

Welcome to Oregon, Consul General Chang!

08/28/2026

Infrastructure is more than projects—it's the foundation of Oregon’s future. Join us at the 2026 Oregon Infrastructure Summit to discuss policy, funding, regulation, and project delivery with leaders from across the state. Info: www.theoregonsummit.com

08/27/2026

📣Business Oregon wants to hear from you! We've opened a Pre-Application Inquiry to help shape the next round of Centers of Innovation Excellence (CIE) funding, anticipated for Spring 2027. This is a listening step, not a funding opportunity. We're gathering input on where Oregon's innovation ecosystem has the biggest opportunities and gaps before we design the next solicitation.

We want to hear about sector and technology opportunities, ecosystem needs, current partnerships and reach, and what should shape the future funding opportunity. We want to hear from anyone who supports Oregon's innovation ecosystem, such as universities, regional and industry partnerships, nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and others.

Optional virtual office hours run Aug. 31–Sept. 11. Written questions are due Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. PT, and responses are due Oct. 5 at noon PT. More: https://biznews.oregon.gov/acton/rif/14786/s-0a15-2608/-/l-sf-cl-7011G000000ONseQAG-31f7:3b/l-sf-cl-7011G000000ONseQAG-31f7/showPreparedMessage?sid=TV2:Ss4ZSjZds

08/27/2026

The Oregon Broadband Office is now under contract with Blue Mountain Networks (covering Hood River County and Umatilla district grant areas) for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program! 🎉

🟠1,205 homes will gain access to fiber internet
🟣Award amount of $5,451,655
🟡Blue Mountain Networks will contribute $1,817,218 in matching funds
🔵Total project investment exceeds $7,268,873

08/26/2026

The Business Oregon team will be at the Governor's Marketplace on August 27 in North Bend, and we'd love to see you there! Stop by our booth to learn about resources for your business and then stick around for training sessions on breaking into public contracting. Lunch is included and admission is free. Pre-registration is recommended, here: https://ow.ly/K9h050ZuTyh

08/26/2026

🤔Are you considering starting your own business? The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network has many FREE on-demand classes available to help you through your entrepreneurship journey!

Some of the available classes are:
🔵The Four Questions You Must Answer Before Starting Your Own Business
🟡The Entrepreneur's Journey - What it Takes to Start a Small Business
🔴Building Credit for Your Small Business
🟠Access to Capital: A Lenders Panel on Being Bankable
🗒️...and many more!

View course options:

On Demand Until Sep 30 The Entrepreneur's Journey - What it Takes to Start a Small Business Topic: Start-up Assistance Online Facilitated by Clatsop Community College SBDC Register

08/25/2026

August is Black Business Month, and we're spotlighting three Oregon businesses we've had the pleasure of connecting with this year. 🤝

💄Elegant Boutique Beauty Supply Store delivers beauty supply products both in person and online.

🪮Ella Dean is a Portland-based clean botanical haircare brand made for textured hair.

🫶HairSpiracy is a Portland company helping children and families embrace their natural hair, celebrate cultural identity, and build self-esteem across generations. Info: https://www.hairspiracyofficial.com/

Business Oregon staff spent time with each of these business owners and connected them with organizations that can help their business grow: the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network, the Oregon Apex Accelerator, our Business Oregon COBID team, OMEP – Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Black American Chamber of Commerce, and more.

Building a business in Oregon? Your Regional Development Officer is a great first call for personalized information and assistance in your specific location and business sector. Find your RDO: https://www.oregon.gov/biz/aboutus/regions/Pages/default.aspx

08/25/2026

📣Join us at the 3rd Annual Meet the Buyers Event at Clackamas Community College on Sept 24! Attendees can meet procurement representatives from public agencies, learn how to compete for government contracts, build relationships that can help your business succeed, and explore financing options with small business lenders.

🤔Who Should Attend?
• Small businesses
• Entrepreneurs and startups
• Businesses interested in government contracting
• Existing businesses looking to expand their network and opportunities

🤝Reasons to Attend:
• Access multiple business resources in one location.
• Meet decision-makers and industry professionals.
• Learn about upcoming contracting opportunities.
• Gain practical tools to grow your business.
• Speak with insurance professionals about business risk and coverage.
• Connect with economic development organizations supporting business growth.
• Network with Chamber of Commerce and community partners.
• Connect with prime contractors seeking qualified small business partners.

Register: https://gcap.ecenterdirect.com/events/1483