May 6, 2015

On Tuesday, Nick was pleased to join Venture Portland and local business leaders in Gateway to celebrate National Small Business Week – and to kick off a new funding initiative for East Portland business associations.

The $100,000 initiative will go towards strengthening East Portland business associations, which provide essential support for our neighborhood small businesses. East Portland businesses deserve the same opportunity for success as other districts throughout Portland.

Our neighborhood small business community is part of what makes Portland great. They employ half our workforce and are the backbone of our local economy. Seventy cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays in our community!

Visit Venture Portland’s website to learn how you can support your neighborhood small businesses.

And last Friday, Nick enjoyed the opportunity to tour the Portland Water Bureau’s Interstate Maintenance Facility, which is currently undergoing renovations in North Portland.

The Interstate Facility is an essential part of Portland’s drinking water system, from forest to faucet. Interstate houses more than 200 employees, a water control center, water quality laboratory, storage area, administration offices, and more. Part of the facility is nearly 100 years old, so it lacks modern safety standards – and is known to “rain” inside the building on stormy days!  

The first phase of renovation of complete: a new 28,000 square foot office building. Its eco-friendly design conserves water and energy, and uses solar power. The Water Bureau expects the building will earn a LEED Gold certification. Next up, demolition of the old structure.

Check out the Water Bureau’s website for more information.