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About a year ago, I began my term as chair of the Alliance's board of directors and wrote my first column for this e-newsletter, stating that I would be focused on private sector, family-wage job creation. We tackled a host of issues over the past 12 months, and at the center of it all, was job creation. Here is an overview of some of the ways we've been focused on jobs:

In addition to the above list, the Alliance met frequently with elected officials to discuss policy issues impacting business, including the River Plan and the decision regarding urban and rural land reserves in the metropolitan region. We continue to be engaged in those two issues as they could exert a major impact on business' ability to expand and grow jobs in the coming years.

Portland's Central City, the region's economic hub, also has been at the top of the priority list. We heard from scores of business owners last summer about the impact of people sitting and lying on sidewalks. Last month the city passed a new sidewalk use ordinance which will give Portland Police a community policing tool that will help keep downtown and Lloyd District streets safe and inviting and, in turn, create a positive environment for businesses.

There is more work to be done, however, as demonstrated in the recent release of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that the Portland market has lost more than 23,000 jobs in the past year. No one is more passionate about job creation and supporting small business than our incoming Alliance chair, Roger Hinshaw, President of Bank of America for Oregon & SW Washington.

Roger was instrumental this year in creating our Small Business Task Force and focusing our attention on small business and job creation. Under his leadership, the Alliance will continue on this path of helping businesses and our region grow. Thank you for your support over the past year; it has been an honor to represent you, the Alliance membership.

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2. Alliance endorsed candidates garner support in primary election

Candidates endorsed by the Portland Business Alliance did very well in the May 18 primary election. Eight of nine candidates endorsed by the Alliance either won their election outright or advanced to the general election in November.

Metro: The Alliance endorsed candidate Tom Hughes, who led the field for Metro President with 37 percent of the vote. He will face Bob Stacey (35 percent) in the fall. The Alliance supported Katheryn Harrington, who is running for reelection to her Metro Council seat. She easily won reelection with 70 percent support.

Portland City Council: Nick Fish and Dan Saltzman both won reelection with Alliance support. Fish garnered 80 percent of the vote and Saltzman, who faced a field of eight candidates, won with a 55 percent margin.

Multnomah County: The Alliance endorsed Multnomah County Chair, Jeff Cogen, who won the election with 78 percent of the vote. Cogen staffer Karol Collymore (36 percent) and Wyden staffer Loretta Smith (18 percent) will face off in November to fill Cogen's vacated commissioner seat. The Alliance endorsed candidate in the commissioner race, Tom Markgraf, was defeated. Dan Staton, endorsed by the Alliance for Multnomah County Sheriff, won with 79 percent support.

Washington County: Andy Duyck, who the Alliance endorsed, won his bid for Washington County Chair with 54 percent of the vote against Dick Schouten's 39 percent showing. Alliance endorsed Bob Terry just missed avoiding a run off with 49 percent support in his bid for a Washington County Commissioner seat. He will face off against Greg Mecklem who received 35 percent support.

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3. Downtown Retail Strategy continues to bear fruit as H&M signs lease at Pioneer Place

Downtown Portland will get a new world-class retailer this fall - H&M! Last week the Alliance, along with the City of Portland and the Portland Development Commission welcomed H&M to Portland. H&M, the third largest clothing retailer in the world, will open in Pioneer Place in fall of 2010.

"This development really brings some great new energy to downtown," said Sandra McDonough, president and CEO of the Portland Business Alliance. "It demonstrates that our downtown is continuing to be an attractor for major retailers."

H&M will be located in the Rotunda Pavilion at Pioneer Place on Fourth Avenue, between Yamhill and Morrison streets. The store will be approximately 25,000 square feet and will employ many retail professionals.

"Pioneer Place is known as the destination for first-to-market shops and boutiques in Oregon and we are excited to welcome the state's first H&M store to our retail mix," said Bob Buchanan, senior general manager for Pioneer Place. "The center is always evolving to better meet our customers' needs and wants… and H&M has been a top store request for a number of years."

Last year, Mayor Sam Adams launched the Downtown Retail Strategy with the goal of creating a signature retail district in the retail core using Yamhill and Morrison streets as the "spine" of the district. H&M's location between Yamhill and Morrison will be a central piece of the retail district and add to the mix of unique offerings in downtown.

"I'm proud to welcome H&M to Portland," said Mayor Sam Adams. "In addition to creating jobs, H&M is sure to attract even more shoppers to Portland's vibrant downtown, which benefits businesses across the district."

The Portland Business Alliance supported the efforts to recruit H&M and also works with a task force consisting of business, city and economic development representatives to implement the retail strategy.

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4. Alliance breakfast Forums feature informative economic opinions and forecasts

View more pictures on the Alliance photostream

Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear President and CEO, captivated the audience at the Alliance's 2005 annual meeting with a memorable speech about the region's business climate. That speech was one of the most searched for items on the Alliance website. At last month's forum, Boyle addressed a packed room, sharing his viewpoint on the current economic climate - including tax issues and education - and answering audience questions.

View Tim Boyle's speech >>

The next forum will feature top economists, Tim Duy, John Tapogna and Tom Potiowsky. They will discuss how Portland's economy is really doing, what signs of recovery they see and what weak points still exist. They will also touch on how Portland fares compared to the rest of the country. Get the experts' view of our region's economic health on Wednesday, June 16 at the Governor Hotel.

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5. Summer Youth Connect: Open your business, keep youth on track

The graduation statistics released last week serve as the most recent reminder that we have an alarming situation on our hands - less than 60 percent of high school students graduate in four years. An even smaller number go on to post-secondary education or training. This situation impacts individual youth as well as the vitality and prosperity of our community as a whole.

Summer Youth Connect, is a four-year series of interventions for targeted high school students during the summer months. A component of this program is 'career site visits,' which provide students with the opportunity to learn about various industries and explore their career interests. Sponsored by the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Portland Schools Foundation and Worksystems, Inc., last summer's program reached 1,650 students with over 60 employers stepping up to host two-hour career site visits.

Hosting a career site visit in partnership with Summer Youth Connect helps at-risk students envision a future that includes post-secondary education and a high-skill, high-wage job. What does a career site visit mean for your organization? The commitment is to allow up to 20 students and adult chaperones to spend two hours at your work site. During this time, you would provide:

The Working Waterfront Coalition, Gunderson and Schnitzer Steel have all issued notices of intent to appeal the city's recently adopted River Plan to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

William A. Furman, president and chief executive officer of Greenbrier (Gunderson's parent company), said, "A clean river and healthy economy are not mutually exclusive goals…there are 40,000 family wage jobs at stake in the 11 miles of the already highly regulated North Reach of the Willamette River." Furman explained that the River Plan ordinance is inconsistent with Oregon state law, that it puts jobs at risk and has other serious flaws.

Recently, Gunderson announced it will cut a day from its workweek at its marine plant on the Willamette River, and linked the decision directly to the passage of the River Plan.

The WWC and its member companies support efforts to improve the environment in the Portland Harbor's North Reach. They offered an alternative approach to the River Plan during discussions with the city that they believe would have resulted in more expedient environmental improvement. The WWC continues to remain open to negotiation with the city but, because the city chose to adopt a plan before their concerns were addressed, Gunderson, Schnitzer Steel and the WWC were left no option but to file appeals to avoid missing the state imposed window of opportunity for taking concerns to the Land Use Board of Appeals.

As the next step in the appeals process, the City of Portland will submit a record of all the testimony, background documents, studies, etc. that went into preparing the River Plan. Gunderson, Schnitzer Steel and the WWC then have a chance to challenge the record if they see something missing (or something that was never introduce in the public record during the debate that needs to be removed). Legal arguments will be prepared based on that record as to why the River Plan violates one or more state land use planning goals, likely focusing on the city's economic development goals.

7. Citizens' Crime Commission hires new executive director

The Citizens' Crime Commission's (CCC) new Executive Director will be Deputy District Attorney Suzanne Hayden. Hayden begins her new position on June 7.

Hayden has worked as the Deputy District Attorney in Multnomah County for a combined 14 years. As a neighborhood District Attorney, Suzanne honed her ability to identify and analyze public safety issues and implement effective crime-reduction strategies. Suzanne has also worked with community organizations, instructed police officer trainings, taught security classes and served on two school boards.

"I am excited to take on the position of Executive Director of the commission. I look forward to using my years of experience in law enforcement, community prosecution and community service in furtherance of the mission and work of this dedicated and important organization," stated Ms. Hayden.

DOWNTOWN SERVICES

8. 46 restaurants offer dining deals in June

Every year, Travel Portland sponsors a month-long promotion (June 1-30) featuring three-course dinners for $25 at nearly 50 restaurants around Portland. The campaign website is www.DiningMonthPortland.com and includes restaurant descriptions, menus, real-time availability at SmartPark garages, retail offerings, a charitable component and a chance for diners to win more than $1,000 in restaurant gift certificates.

A few highlights from the promotion:

9. City passes sidewalk ordinance creating 'Pedestrian Use Zones'

High-traffic sidewalks in the Downtown and Lloyd District areas will now have a designated pedestrian use zone. City council passed the ordinance on May 6 creating the pedestrian use zones, which are to be unobstructed passageways for people who are moving and using the sidewalk specifically for transportation.

The new ordinance prohibits sitting, lying or placing belongings on sidewalks - within eight feet of building faces that have 10-foot sidewalks, and within six feet of building faces that have eight-foot or less sidewalks -in the Downtown and Lloyd District areas between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Portland Police are responsible for enforcing the ordinance. To report a sidewalk issue or concern, call Portland Police's non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

The passage of this ordinance was a long and difficult process for city council, so please acknowledge their efforts and support for downtown livability by contacting them to say thank you. Portland City Council also wants to hear from you about this ordinance. Feel free to check in with council about how the ordinance is working.

More information about the ordinance can be found on the city's website at: www.portlandonline.com.

10. Alliance attends International Council of Shopping Centers conference

Last week, the Downtown Retail Advocate, Cori Jacobs, and the Alliance's Downtown Retail Development Manager, Lisa Frisch, attended the annual International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Retail Real Estate convention in Las Vegas along with 25,000 other delegates representing cities, commercial brokers, and retailers from all over the world.

The goals of the conference were to promote downtown Portland as a retail destination, meet prospective retailers and their brokers and identify prospective retailers for recruitment. Over the course of the conference, the team made contacts with several retailers targeted for recruitment and is in the process of following up with more detailed information.

In preparation for the ICSC convention, the Alliance created new promotional materials for retail recruitment efforts. Updated materials include a demographic analysis of the Portland population, segmented into customer types as well as information about the Downtown Retail Strategy and downtown Portland management organizations.

You can view the recruitment packet here >>

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

11. Upcoming EMERGE Exclusive with... Russ Danielson, June 23

At the last EMERGE Exclusive event with Gregg Kantor, emerging and established business and civic leaders networked and got to hear about Kantor's view on leadership. The next EMERGE Exclusive will feature business leader Russ Danielson, CEO of Providence - Oregon. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 23, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 200 SW Market St. in the Lobby Conference Room.

12. Leadership Portland: Upcoming graduation and new class

At the Leadership Portland graduation in early June, the class of 2010 demonstrated their strong commitment to the success of the Portland region through their community service project presentations. The program, which graduated its largest class to date of 50 business and community leaders, refines and develops participants' leadership skills through participation in interactive exercises and a challenging curriculum. For a 2010 class list see sidebar.

The class participants are required to complete community service projects that tackle a specific challenge that exists in the region. The class divides up into teams, identifies a need within the community and aligns themselves with a community partner to work on a project that betters the community. This year's teams worked on projects such as:

13. Shareholders at Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt take leadership roles in education

Román D. Hernández, a shareholder in the Portland office of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, recently joined the board of directors of the Oregon Community Foundation. He also serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Jay Waldron, also a shareholder at Schwabe, was recently named vice chair of the OHSU board of directors. He also formerly served as president of the Port of Portland Commission and is currently a member of the board of trustees at Lewis & Clark College as well as a number of other boards.

14. RingSide reopening event

The RingSide restaurant is temporarily moving to the Fox Tower while the landmark Burnside location is being remodeled. On May 25, RingSide celebrated the opening of the temporary location with a ribbon cutting and special happy hour event. Check out RingSide at the new, temporary location today! www.ringsidesteakhouse.com

15. Country Food Fair coming to downtown Portland, June 10

A Country Food Fair is coming to Downtown Portland on June 10 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The fair, hosted by Country Natural Beef, will take place at Director Park, located behind the Fox Tower between SW Park and SW 9th. The family-focused fair will feature cowboy activities, music and a cookout with Country Natural Beef partners including Burgerville. The Burgerville Nomad mobile kitchen will serve favorites like the Country Natural Beef Tillamook Cheeseburger, as well as veggie burgers.
More Information >>

16. Give your input on the federal budget

AmericaSpeaks is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with the mission to reinvigorate American democracy by engaging citizens in the public decision-making that most impacts their lives. On June 26, 2010, thousands of Americans across the country, connected live via satellite video, webcast and interactive technologies, will participate in a National Town Meeting on the federal budget. AmericaSpeaks needs business leaders to participate in this event in Portland. Participation is free! Register at usabudgetdiscussion.org, or call toll-free at 866-755-6263. More Information >>

17. Bank of America supports small, medium-sized and diverse businesses

Bank of America recently announced a commitment to increase its spending with small, medium-sized and diverse businesses, pledging to purchase $10 billion in products and services from those companies over five years, with the spending amount expected to grow by an average of more than 5 percent each year. Small, medium-sized and diverse businesses provide the bank with a broad range of valuable services and products, including advertising, furniture, cleaning, courier service, home inspections, legal services, landscaping, maintenance, photography, security and software. More Information >>

18. Walmart commits $2 billion to help end hunger in the U.S.

In May, Walmart announced a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment to help end hunger in America, including 1.8 million of donated meals to food banks across Oregon. As part of the program, Walmart will help each of its 1.4 million U.S. associates and the 140 million customers who shop its stores every week find opportunities to support food banks, senior meal delivery programs and other hunger relief organizations in their communities. More details on how customers can get involved will be announced this summer. More Information >>

19. Portland Center for the Performing Arts summer events

The Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) will be hosting their annual summer activities starting the end of June. Summer Arts on Main Street and Music on Main Street will take place every Wednesday through June 30 to September 1. As a result, SW Main Street-between SW Broadway and SW Park-will be closed from 10:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. on those days. PCPA Events Calendar >>

20. PAETEC named on the Fortune 1000 list for the first time

In May, PAETEC, which delivers personalized communications solutions and unmatched service to business-class customers in 84 of the nation's top 100 metropolitan areas, was named to FORTUNE magazine's list of America's 1000 largest corporations based on annual revenue. For PAETEC, the FORTUNE 1000 is the latest in a series of accolades over the past decade. More Information >>

21. Employers invited to job fairs for returning Oregon National Guard troops

This spring, nearly 3,000 members of the Oregon National Guard are returning from Iraq. Over 50 percent of these soldiers do not have a job to come home to. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is working with the Oregon National Guard this summer on a series of job fairs across the state. The first job fair will be held on Saturday, June 26 at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. Other fairs will be held across Oregon in July and August. Any employer interested in more details or in attending any or all of these job fairs can call Barbara Smith Warner in Senator Wyden's Portland office at 503-326-7543.

22. Life transitions and community engagement seminar

The Life Transitions and Community Engagement Seminar is for organizational and community leaders navigating the transition from paid work to retirement, who want to give back to the community. The seminar will take place at Portland State University during September, October and November. Letters of application are due July 15th. For information, email ltce@pdx.edu or call 503-522-4195 or 971-506-6798.

23. Melvin Mark Companies receives award from the Green Building Initiative

On May 6, Melvin Mark Companies, which provides commercial real estate services, received a 3 Globes award for achievements in green design and sustainable operations at the company's Crown Plaza building. SAIF, which provides workers' compensation insurance, recently selected Crown Plaza as a new location because of the building's sustainable real estate practices. SAIF was also recognized as one of Portland's Climate Champions for taking steps to reduce carbon emissions.

24. Upcoming Meetings

June 8 , Communications Committee, 9:30 a.m.
June 9, Sustainability Committee, 7:30 a.m.
June 11, President's Council, noon
June 15 , Central City Standing Committee, noon
June 16, Small Business Council, 4 p.m.
July 13, Transportation Committee, noon

June 2010 Newsletter

FROM THE CHAIR

1. A year focused on jobs

2. Alliance endorsed candidates garner support in primary election

3. Downtown Retail Strategy continues to bear fruit as H&M signs lease at Pioneer Place

4. Alliance breakfast Forums feature informative economic opinions and forecasts

5. Summer Youth Connect: Open your business, keep youth on track

7. Citizens' Crime Commission hires new executive director

9. City passes sidewalk ordinance creating 'Pedestrian Use Zones'

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

11. Upcoming EMERGE Exclusive with... Russ Danielson, June 23

13. Shareholders at Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt take leadership roles in education

14. RingSide reopening event

15. Country Food Fair coming to downtown Portland, June 10

16. Give your input on the federal budget

17. Bank of America supports small, medium-sized and diverse businesses

18. Walmart commits $2 billion to help end hunger in the U.S.

19. Portland Center for the Performing Arts summer events

20. PAETEC named on the Fortune 1000 list for the first time

21. Employers invited to job fairs for returning Oregon National Guard troops

22. Life transitions and community engagement seminar

23. Melvin Mark Companies receives award from the Green Building Initiative

24. Upcoming Meetings