Welcome to the first issue of the new Business Voice!
This email version of the Business Voice will be published monthly to business association leaders and members who agree to accept it. If you don't want to receive the Business Voice by email, go to the bottom of the page to remove your name.
Mark your calendar! The APNBA Quarterly meeting is October 25th at 5:30 pm at the Ambridge Center, 300 NE Multnomah Street.
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APNBA Grant Projects!
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According to our Organizational Assessment, the most important services APNBA provides the small business community are acting as liaison to the City, creating networking opportunities among ourselves, and providing information, education and technical assistance.
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Gen Xers pick Cool Communities for their life style. The generation born between 1961 - 1981 values the community more than the job. The Wall Street Journal says they "Pick a place to live, then find a job."
In a recent survey of "cool" communities, Portland was rated 6th in a field of 15 American cities.
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Grant applications are available!
Call Nancy at
503-774-2832 or email
Nancy Chapin.
You have until October 29th to apply. The maximum amount granted is $5,000 and must be matched with goods and services. For more information, see Grants.
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Quarterly Meeting
Networking begins at 5:30, dinner catered by Ambridge Center is at 6:00, and the meeting starts at 6:30 pm. "Howl aT THE Moon," a discussion about crime, cops, and jails begins at 7:00 pm. Contact Nancy Chapin at 503-774-2832 to reserve your space. Dinner is $15.00 and reservations are required.
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Ambridge Event Center
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APNBA's Organizational Assessment
The APNBA did a self assessment to discover what part they might play in the City's new Small Business Prosperity Strategy. The question was, "Is the APNBA the best organization to represent Business Associations as part of the Small Business Improvement Strategy?" While 44% agreed, 44% said they did not know, and 12% named other organizations.
Over half (52%) think the APNBA does a good job supporting business associations, while nearly a quarter think it needs improvement.
Newsletter, web page, and email communications were an important service members felt needing improvement. They also wanted an up-to-date image, better funding, a sharper focus, and more member involvement.
In the future, they asked for conferences and training to provide more education and technical assistance, and a unified voice to the City, Metro, and other political entities.
Twenty-seven APNBA and community stakeholders participated in the assessment interviews.
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Prosperity Strategy
The Small Business Prosperity Strategy was created in 2003 in an effort to address the problems facing small businesses in Portland. The group consists of the Portland Development Commission (PDC), the Portland Business Association (PBA), the City of Portland, and representatives from the APNBA and the Small Business Advisory Council.
Their goal is to improve the visibility of small businesses and give them better access to resources.
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Cool Communities
The generation following the Baby Boom is so much smaller that by 2006, two workers will exit the workforce for every one entering. To attract and hold this young, community-minded workforce communities are learning to promote their quality of life.
When deciding on where to work, Gen Xers look for communities that offer amenities such as short commute times, air and water quality, vegetarian restaurants, charitable donations, artists, authors, diversity (ethic, religious, sexual orientation), a low rate of unemployment, the number of art galleries and museums, sunny days and farmer's markets.
They also look for fitness centers, musicians, high recycling rates, nightclubs and bars, public parks, trails, and recreation.
When next you market your business district, mention the number of coffee shops, natural food stores, and local festivals along with the usual demographics.
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There is strength in numbers - join your business association.
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