NBC Nightly News and the National Interagency Fire Agency Center ran this wildfire chart this week that shows a large number of active wildfires across the American West. Oregonians across the state have been seeing evidence of the wildfires with increased smoke and haze in the sky over the past few weeks.

USDA: Farmers Markets Growing in Number, Popularity 111 farmers markets currently operate in Oregon By Oregon Small Business Association The number of farmers markets selling fresh, locally and regionally grown produce grew significantly over the past year. According to the 2011 National Farmers Market Directory recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than […]

Fire and Financial Woes Close Historic View Point Inn An accidental fire at the historic View Point Inn and Restaurant overlooking the Columbia River Gorge left the Inn’s future in limbo. The fire apparently started when a spark from the chimney ignited the roof on July 10, closing the Inn indefinitely. Co-owner Geoff Thompson and […]

Portland takes up new technology for parking meters By Oregon Small Business Association Beginning in August, the Pearl District will become the first local community to experiment with a mobile parking solution that allows customers to pay-to-park via their cell phone. Some have expressed concerns about consumer privacy and law enforcements’ potential use of the […]

Wal-Mart scooping up properties all over Portland area By Oregon Small Business Association Walmart has been prolifically purchasing properties in the Portland Metro area. Walmart plans to open as many as 17 of its smaller stores called Neighborhood Markets in the metro area where it has lacked a presence. While the retailer hasn’t officially announced […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, A judicial loophole allows online-only retailers (such as Amazon.com) to avoid the rules of sales tax collection, resulting in a loss of $1.1 billion in taxes on internet and mail order sales last year in California according to the State Board of Equalization. The board estimates that enforcing sales tax […]

By Oregon Small Business Association, One of Oregon’s most important business leaders, Phil Knight of NIKE, recently spoke before a national audience on the Oprah Winfrey show and discussed his life, his business and his success. Below are highlights of the interview: On the Nike logo KNIGHT: “Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. At […]

Wells Fargo cuts 1,900 mortgage jobs, Bank of America cuts 1,500 By Oregon Small Business Association West coast bank Wells Fargo cut 1,900 employees from the mortgage unit nationwide last month. The layoffs were announced on March 23 and gave the employees 60 days’ notice. The San Francisco company gave the slowdown in the mortgage […]

Senate Bill 883 which would cut Oregon’s capital gains tax rate in half and be a boom for productivity in this state.  It is one of the more effective business bills in the State Legsilature. Oregon’s 11% rate is the highest in the nation.  Others are taking notice of our high capital gains tax.  Last […]

Startup Company Lebron Jordon files suit against Nike By Oregon Small Business Association A new customizable shoe maker called Lebron Jordan, Inc. is now suing LeBron James and Michael Jordan for interfering in their business to the tune of $150 million each. Lebron Jordan is also suing Washington County-based Nike, Inc. and its Converse subsidiary. […]