Business Oregon is Oregon’s official state economic development agency. As such, Business Oregon helps businesses locate, grow, export and expand in Oregon. We also provide business loans with lottery dollars, offer technical assistance and industry support.
Services Provided
Business Oregon’s approach to traditional business development is anything but traditional. We focus first on supporting the retention and expansion of existing Oregon businesses within traded sectors and foster a dynamic startup and entrepreneurial environment. We then work with companies outside the state to come to Oregon and fill supply chain gaps and grow existing industry clusters.
Our business and community development team focuses on proactive and substantive partnerships with the private sector, in partnership with local and regional economic development organizations. This team serves as the front door to a suite of services to identify opportunities and address challenges related to business growth and community development.
Access to Capital
In addition to ideas, workers and strong management, innovation-driven companies, like all others, need money. We offer direct loan and loan guarantee programs to help business grow and scale, as well as working capital. Learn more about access to capital >>
Global Trade
Oregon is a global competitor in everything from high tech to agriculture and natural resources. Approximately 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the U.S. We help Oregon companies reach those customers and bring new revenue into the state, as well as work to attract foreign direct investment. The Global Trade team pairs expertise with both foreign market and industry, along with small matching grants to get Oregon’s small businesses into foreign markets. Learn more about global trade >>
Infrastructure
Business Oregon manages the state’s infrastructure needs and prioritizes them in order to ensure the best use of the state’s limited resources. We provide financing to municipalities for extending and upgrading physical infrastructure, as well as catalyzing job creation opportunities when paired with business development projects. Funding focuses on these areas: infrastructure capacity; community health and safety; business development opportunities; and industrial land availability. Learn more about infrastructure >>
Innovation/Entrepreneurship
Sometimes the precursor to business development and trade is innovation that leads to new ideas, that lead to new products or applications, that lead to new businesses and new markets. Business Oregon works to facilitate an entrepreneurial-friendly environment and drives innovation across a variety of industries and business stages. We also house the Oregon InC and corresponding Oregon Innovation Plan to stand up signature research centers that provide shared lab space, high-tech extension services and more. Learn more about innovation >>
Talent and Workforce
Oregon has a strong workforce particularly in areas such as high tech manufacturing, software and other advanced manufacturing industries. We also partner with other agencies to support continued development of an equipped workforce.
Key Employees
Michael Held, Regional Development Officer serving Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco counties.
Contact
Email Michael at michael.held@oregon.gov or call him at 971-599-9489.
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