Small Business Empowerment Program

The Small Business Empowerment Program assists historically marginalized business owners including Black, Indigenous, People Of Color business owners and business owners with disabilities recognized by the ADA who have experienced severe disproportionate barriers in the development review process. Read more about the program.

We provide extra assistance in the areas of land use, permitting and inspections to help small business owners and entrepreneurs from the communities described above.

How the Small Business Empowerment Program Works

Researches and investigates various codes and regulations on behalf of customers
Empowers clients with the information needed to negotiate before signing a lease agreement for future tenants and building owners.
Collaborates with clients to brainstorm options for addressing the permitting/ building issues in a manner that works best for them
Guides clients through the resolution process until the issues are resolved and the project is permitted
Connects small business owners to available community resources

Completion of this form does not guarantee acceptance into the Small Business Empowerment Program. If you meet program eligibility, a team member will contact you with next steps. If you falsify or deliberately misrepresent information on this form, your application will not be accepted into the program.

If you are not accepted into the Small Business Empowerment program, you will be notified with alternative resources for your project.

* Required Field Small Business Empowerment Program
Applicant Name*
Business Name
Phone Number*
Email Address*
Referred By
As the applicant, are you the: (Please select all that apply)	Hold Ctrl to select multiple items
Are your certified a Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) firm? If so, what designation?	Are your certified a Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) firm? If so, what designation? MBE DBE WSB ESB VSB
Are you Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color?	Are you Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color? Yes No
Do you have a disability as defined by the American Disability Act (ADA)? The ADA defines a person with a disability as: A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.	Do you have a disability as defined by the American Disability Act (ADA)? The ADA defines a person with a disability as: A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. Yes No
Does this project require a building permit?	Does this project require a building permit? Yes No I don't know
Voluntary Information Please note that the Voluntary Information section helps our team to strive for more inclusive and diverse involvement in our process and programs. We will be able to monitor these statistics and determine whether we’re hearing from a stronger representation of Portlanders, and then make adjustments in our outreach, engagement and program development as needed. Please know that our team deeply values the needs of the community and your information is kept in strict confidentiality. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to complete the form in its entirety.
What is your race or ethnicity of the business/property owner? Select all that apply.	Hold Ctrl to select multiple items
What is your age?	What is your age? Under 18 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+
What gender do you identify with?	What gender do you identify with? Female Male Transfeminine Transmasculine Two Spirit Gender expansive (e.g., non-binary, agender, gender fluid)
What area of town is your business located?	What area of town is your business located? Southeast North Southwest Northwest Northeast South
Which best describes your current property?	Which best describes your current property? Warehouse Residential New Construction Tenant Improvement
Are you a New (less than 1 year) or Existing Business?	Are you a New (less than 1 year) or Existing Business? Yes No
How long have you been in business?	How long have you been in business? 0-4 Years 5-9 Years 10+ years
Which industry best describes your business?	Which industry best describes your business? Consulting Cosmetic Technology Construction Music and/or Entertainment Restaurant/Hospitality Health Care Nursery/Farming/Agriculture Electronic/Mechanic/Manufacturing Other
Additional information
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In which state in the Pacific Northwest is Portland located in?

The City of Portland, Oregon

Development Services

From Concept to Construction